Due to the profitability opportunities sports betting presents, the gambling industry continues to grow in Kenya. There are several betting companies in Kenya currently in operation and the number of people venturing into betting is expected to rise continuously.
Choosing a sportsbook can however prove confusing especially if you are a beginner. Whether you want to use an indigenous sportsbook or you prefer international operators, it is crucial to choose a proven sportsbook.
"Your choice of a bookmaker can easily impact your betting experience. Some sports bettors have negative experiences with sportsbooks. There are cases of withdrawal delays, deposit disputes, and most commonly, payout issues. To make it worse, the customer service of these fraudulent sportsbooks will be unreachable," warns Dipo Lukman (Takebet Kenya), a sports betting expert.
This is how to find proven betting sites and what to consider when choosing a sportsbook
Is sports betting legal in Kenya? Gambling has been declared illegal in some countries but that's not the case in Kenya. Sports betting is legal in Kenya provided you place your wagers through a licensed sportsbook only. Gambling in Kenya was initially legalized in 1966 then sports betting came into the limelight.
All gambling activities are regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Body. Essentially, all gambling sites that wish to operate in Kenya have to obey the rules and regulations as required. This is why it is important to properly vet if the sportsbook that interests you is licensed to operate in Kenya.
If you are caught placing bets on illegal betting platforms, you risk sanctions. Also, note that to be legally cleared to engage in gambling activities as a Kenyan resident, you must be at least 18 years of age.
How to identify proven betting companies in Kenya
A lot of betting companies are operating in Kenya but not all these sites are reputable enough. It is important to filter the noise and use only proven sites to place your wagers.
As a Kenyan bettor, you can discover solid betting sites through their reputation. For instance, if Kenyan punters give positive reviews about some specific bookmakers, then such bookmakers are most likely doing something right. It could be the bonus they offer Kenyan players, the withdrawal processing speed, or the competitive odds.
However, do not always rely on these positive reviews as your personal experience precedes all. Even if you get the best reviews about a bookmaker, always try to get a first-hand experience of how the sportsbook operates. If there are a lot of negative experiences with a bookmaker, it is best to stay away from such a bookmaker.
My advice is to identify the bookmakers with the best reputation, explore them, and then settle for the bookmakers that satisfy your own needs. The proven bookmakers in Kenya include Betika, OdiBets, Sportpesa, Sportybet, Mozzartbet, betPawa, BetLion, Betway and more.
Betika
The most popular Kenyan online bookmaker at the moment, Betika is well known for its football jackpots daily and weekly. There are many football and other sports events to bet on, and a rich variety of betting markets. One can bet live and use a cash out feature. Odds are average.
A welcome bonus for registration may be offered, albeit a small one. Betting is available online via desktop and mobile sites, and via an app. On top of that, you can wager with SMS offline!
OdiBets
This bookie, also known as OdiBet, allows for a perfect mobile betting experience. There is a welcome bonus for signing up. The choice of sports and tournaments is average, however, on top of that, you have eSoccer and virtuals, casino games and even live streams.
SportyBet Kenya
SportyBet continues to grow to become one of the biggest bookmakers in the industry. The bookmaker is relatively new to the space but has been able to compete with even the biggest sportsbooks through its unique selling point - high odds on top events.
The betting site offers wagers across a variety of sports while also doing due diligence. SportyBet customers enjoy several bonuses and you don't want to miss that. Another good thing is that their customer service is top-notch.
Betway Kenya
Betway remains one of the biggest sportsbooks in Kenya. The betting site is also in operation in some other African countries including Nigeria and Ghana. Kenyan players have given numerous accounts of positive experiences with the online gambling site.
Betway is known for providing a variety of sports you can wager on while enjoying competitive odds. They also provide new customers with mouthwatering bonuses including a registration bonus of up to 5,000 Kenyan Shillings.
How to choose the best betting site in Kenya
Here are the important things to consider when choosing a betting site in Kenya:
Legality
Illegal gambling is a crime in Kenya and you may end up participating in it unknowingly. Ensure the bookmakers you are considering are registered as legal entities in Kenya to avoid future sanctions. Do not get involved in illegal gambling as you put yourself at risk of losing money.
Odds and promotions
Promotions are the bonuses that a sportsbook provides its customers in a bid to encourage them to place wagers. These bonuses help you reduce your risks as a punter as you can win more while staking less.
Odds can be explained as multipliers. If a bookmaker offers competitive odds, it is a good sign. As a punter, it is advisable to always go for a bookmaker that offers high odds in the market. However, be wary of sportsbooks that offer ridiculously high odds.
Customer support
Always go for bookmakers that have ever active and swift customer service. You may find yourself in a dispute case that needs settling. If the customer support of the bookmaker is unresponsive, it could be frustrating.
User experience
Is the betting site easy to navigate? Can you easily place book bets and place wagers? These are some of the questions to keep in mind when choosing a bookmaker.
To improve the user experience, most bookmakers have introduced their betting app. This will make it easy for people to place bets without having to sign in to the website every time.
Deposit and withdrawal options in Kenya
Funding your betting account as a Kenyan punter is easy as most bookmakers support Airtel Money and Mpesa. You can also use card deposits or bank transfers. Withdrawals however vary with the bookmaker. To be certain of the deposit and withdrawal options available to you, just visit the betting site and check the FAQs section.
Conclusion
While gambling continues to grow in Kenya, it is important to make safe choices. Ensure that you properly vet the bookmaker you want to use and be certain of its legality.
I hope this article will be helpful to you when navigating the betting industry. Happy betting!
