Kenya

Online sports betting in Kenya - A market with great potential

As early as 1966, the country legalized gambling specifically for games of chance and sports through the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act. The Betting Control and Licensing Board was enacted the same year and regulates all local gambling operators. The Kenyan sports betting scene has steadily grown, and currently, the country holds the third-largest market in Africa after South Africa and Nigeria.

Some 45 years later, in 2011, Kenya legalized online gambling. Since then, the Betting Control and Licensing Board has licensed several online and retail sportsbooks, and today, local bettors can wager through mobile apps and websites or place bets physically at a retail shop. Furthermore, online betting platforms must show their gambling license at the bottom of their website, which helps players identify those operating legally.

Due to the early establishment of a regulatory body, the betting industry in Kenya has evolved in line with most countries, and gambling businesses have managed to grow at a productive pace. As of September 2023, the BCLB has issued permits for over 120 operators in Kenya, most of which provide sports betting verticals.

However, it's vital to note that Kenya plans to revise its gambling legislation significantly. The new Gambling Control Bill 2023 aims to replace the current Betting, Control, and Licensing Board with a new Gambling Regulatory Authority, which would handle licensing and regulation for all forms of gambling in Kenya. In addition, the bill introduces stricter measures regarding taxes, fines, and advertising regulations, aiming to enhance control and protect minors from gambling activities.

Such stricter measures would include implementing the KES20 minimum stake limit for all sports bets, a radio and TV gambling ad ban between 6 am and 10 pm, and a 15% tax on gross gambling revenue against operators.

Sports betting legislation in Kenya

As basically every form of gambling is legal in Kenya, provided that players enjoy such activities on licensed platforms, it's clear that Kenya's stand on sports betting is not complicated. If you are just over 18 of age, all types and categories of sports gambling are fully legal in the country. Therefore, online and in-person sports betting are legal in Kenya, and there are no restrictions or limitations on what types of markets you can wager on.

Horse race betting is also available for Kenyans, and the country's number one race track, Ngong Racecourse, holds around 25 races yearly, including the most notable annual meeting, the Kenyan Derby.

In terms of taxing gambling payouts, every licensed betting app and site in Kenya must automatically withhold winnings at a 20% rate. So, if you win Ksh 50,000 from a bet, you'll get Ksh 40,000, while the remaining Ksh 10,000 is held back by the betting company and sent to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Sports betting & gambling news and updates from Kenya

• February 1, 2024: Kenyan singer and songwriter Nadia Mukami becomes 22BET's first female brand ambassador in Kenya.

• December 11, 2023: President William Ruto approves the National Lottery and National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) Bills. The National Lottery Bill aims to create the National Lottery Fund to manage and distribute lottery proceeds.

• December 7, 2023: Bangbet, a popular betting platform in Kenya, has launched its much-awaited mobile app on Google Play.

• December 6, 2023: Kenyan betting sites have introduced a 12.5% excise duty on casino stake amounts and a 20% withholding tax on casino winnings following recent court rulings on the constitutionality of specific provisions in the Finance Bill 2023.

• September 27, 2023: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first time three nations will host the tournament. This edition will take place in June and July 2027

• August 1, 2023: 888's African joint venture has purchased BetLion, a betting and gambling operator based in Kenya, for an undisclosed amount. BetLion is licensed in Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

All legal gambling options in Kenya - A vast selection of entertainment is available!

All forms of gambling, including online casino games, online poker, and retail casinos, are legal in Kenya, given that such websites and establishments operate with proper Kenyan licenses. Thanks to comprehensive internet coverage, most players in the country prefer wagering online. Nevertheless, some enjoy the thrill and excitement of physical casinos and retail shops.

There are around 30 land-based licensed casinos in the country, and 21 of those are located in the capital, Nairobi. Locals can find around 200 gaming tables within these retail establishments, including blackjack, poker, roulette, and over 1,300 slot machines.

Through online betting websites, Kenyans can also enjoy multiple lottery games, including internationally recognized ones like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Eurojackpot.