The Best Betting Apps in Kenya

The online gambling space is seeing unprecedented growth in Kenya. According to Statista, the market will climb from a valuation of $40 million in 2020 to $55 million in 2023. Expect this prediction to expand, especially considering the last twelve months, where lockdown rules have forced many casinos to temporarily close. 

For Kenyans, gambling is primarily done on smartphones, not desktops or laptops. With mobile penetration of over 100% (i.e. more mobile phones than people!), it’s easy to see why. With that in mind, these are the best gambling apps on the market. 

Bet365 

You’ve probably seen the ads starring familiar names like Hollywood ‘hard man’ Ray Winstone or Ryan Giggs’ brother, Rhodri. But in addition to making some cracking ads, bet365 is the best betting company on the market. 

Registration is easy for gamblers based in Kenya. All you need is your name, date of birth, email address, and a valid phone number. Pick a username and password and off you go. One of the best features of bet365 is the stellar customer support; they have a live chat option that’s available pretty much 24/7, and the customer service wait won’t be excruciating.

BetFromAfrica.com knows that bet365 is the top online betting site in the world, and they have dedicated a site where you can be redirected to the operator, regardless of which African country you are situated in.

The app itself has been specifically developed as an application, rather than being a cheap copy of the website. This means you get a smooth gaming experience, without the common glitches you find on other sites. Having said that, the mobile site is surprisingly robust, so if you don’t want to download the app, no problem. 

Betway 

One of the biggest names in Kenya, Betway will always make any top 5 list in the country. It offers a stellar sign-up bonus (50% up to Ksh5000) and doesn’t come with the high wagering requirements you may see at other providers. 

Another clear advantage is being able to deposit through M-Pesa, the popular mobile payment platform for Kenyans; you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with it. Once you download the app and make a deposit, you’ll be up and running in no time. 

One of the features we like about Betway is the low stake requirement for jackpot games. Sure, the odds of winning are relatively small, but when you’re playing for a big prize, it’s nice to know taking part isn’t prohibitively expensive. 

22Bet 

For those of you who are big football fans, 22Bet is one of the best options out there. It’s particularly focused on football, with a wide range of betting alternatives. Whether you’re looking for a standard result bet, first goalscorer, or the number of corners in a given half, 22Bet has you covered. 

22Bet was developed with Kenyan users in mind, which means you can make deposits using M-Pesa or Airtel Money. Signing up to an account and having money to play with happens in a matter of minutes, perfect for when you get a last-minute tip about Messi being out injured for Barcelona! 

The downside of 22Bet is that its customer service support isn’t very efficient. The app and website largely run smoothly, but if you have an issue, it can take a little while to get a response. For those of you who are a little impatient, 22Bet may not be the best, well, bet. 

BetWinner 

BetWinner is the top option for players who like a wide variety of sports. European stalwarts such as Premier League football, cricket, and rugby are all very well covered compared to some of the other providers on this list. In addition, the odds on football matches are generally quite favourable, so if you’re looking for even the tiniest improvement on your advantage, BetWinner is a solid alternative. 

The downside? It has to be the withdrawal times. This is not because they don’t want to give you your money, but most often due to security measures the company has put in place. With the level of fraud in online gambling, withdrawals sometimes need to be manually checked. When you have thousands of these a day, delays are sometimes inevitable. 

SportPesa 

SportPesa was one of the first movers in the Kenyan online gambling space, and it retains its spot amongst the best providers in the country. Their early market penetration has proved crucial in terms of retaining market share, especially with big players in the market attempting to carve out space in the niche. 

SportPesa’s success isn’t just due to arriving early; the company provides some of the best odds on the market, and it’s also incredibly popular due to the high jackpot prizes on offer. 

The company also has a reputation for offering the best customer service in Kenya, which is always a nice security blanket for players. Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the site is the high deposit requirements when using M-Pesa. However, this can be circumvented by using Airtel Money instead.

Play to Win (But Gamble Responsibly)!

This list doesn’t have a favourite or a guaranteed winner. You will get good customer service, your deposits are 100% safe, and your winnings will reach your wallet. But none of these companies will make you a good gambler; that’s up to you. Remember to use the bonuses to their full advantage, don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose, and when it’s time to walk away, walk away.