Players from Kosovo accepted
M-Pesa is the established method for funding accounts at virtually all licensed bookmakers in Kenya. Most locally licensed betting sites use M-Pesa, as it’s built into how the market operates. If a sportsbook holds a Kenyan license, M-Pesa support is standard practice.
Offshore sportsbooks can’t legally process payments through M-Pesa unless they have a local entity and the required PayBill/Buy Goods setup. Those that do so without one operate off the record, which makes their services unstable and prone to being blocked by regulators.
Bookmakers set their own deposit and withdrawal limits, but they adhere to M-Pesa’s general limits. These limits are currently KSh 250,000 per transaction and KSh 500,000 per day, with a maximum M-Pesa account balance of KSh 500,000. In most cases, funds are credited instantly to your betting account. Withdrawals are also very fast — typically ranging from instant to just a few minutes — though they may be subject to verification or occasional delays. Customer fees depend on the M-Pesa channel and the merchant’s tariff: Buy Goods payments are typically customer-free (often up to KSh 200), while PayBill fees vary by tariff; many leading bookmakers absorb deposit charges so users can fund their accounts without extra costs.
Below is a full list of licensed betting sites in Kenya that accept M-Pesa. Check out their welcome offers and main highlights below.
|
|
-
T&Cs Apply
|
Bet now | ||
|
|
1st Deposit Ya Leo Inacome Na Free Bonus
T&Cs Apply
|
Bet now | ||
|
|
-
T&Cs Apply
|
Bet now |
Top Four Bookmakers With M-Pesa in Kenya
Here are four of Kenya’s leading M-Pesa betting sites that offer quick local deposits and withdrawals. Each one brings something different, from ultra-low stake limits to some of the biggest jackpots in the country.
| Bookmaker | Min Deposit | Deposit Fee | Min Withdrawal | Withdrawal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| betPawa* | KES 1 | Charges from payment provider | KES 100 | Varies |
| SportyBet | KES 1 | Free above 250 KES | KES 10 | Free above KES 500 |
| BangBet | KES 1 | Free | KES 100 | Varies |
| KwikBet | KES 1 | Free |
The fees listed above do not include the government-mandated taxes introduced by the Finance Act 2025. This includes a 5% Excise Duty on all deposits to the betting wallet and a 5% Withholding Tax on all withdrawals (stakes and winnings).
*betPawa covers all the taxes on deposits and withdrawals.
betPawa
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
betPawa started in 2014 and is Kenya’s go-to M-Pesa bookies for casual users. It has one of the lowest minimum stakes in the country at just 1 KES. This makes it easy for anyone to join in without spending much. The platform features both virtual and traditional sports like football, basketball, and tennis. It also gives users boosted odds on selected markets to help increase potential payouts.
For low rollers, betPawa’s link with M-Pesa is a big plus. You can fund your account with as little as 1 KES, and for high rollers, the deposit limit goes up to 250,000 KES. Withdrawals start from 100 KES, and transactions are processed almost instantly.
The site is mobile-friendly and has dedicated apps for iOS and Android.
On your first multibet, you can get up to a 1,250% boost on your winnings, and this bonus applies to all sports markets.
betPawa also runs frequent jackpots that feature cash prizes worth millions. This adds more rewards for users who enjoy bigger challenges.
One drawback is the limited selection of available sports, often just three. Existing users also do not have a lot of promotions.
SportyBet
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
SportyBet is a bookie known for its strong in-play features and fast in-page loading. It covers around 20 sports, including football, basketball, handball, Esports, and Virtuals. At any time of the day, there are usually over 100 live events to pick from. The range of wagering markets is wide, too, with options like correct score, double chance, and over/under. It also provides live match stats to help users make better choices during a game.
The site includes both auto and partial cash out options. Auto cash out lets you lock in a profit once your preferred amount is reached; partial cash out allows you to take some profit and leave the rest in play. Its pre-match section also features advanced tools such as bet builder, which lets you combine multiple picks from the same event.
If you find a good opportunity and want to act fast, SportyBet supports instant M-Pesa payments. You can deposit as little as 1 KES, and deposits above 250 KES are processed with no transaction fee. Withdrawals start from 10 KES and reflect almost instantly.
Compared to other leading betting companies, SportyBet has fewer jackpots, and the prize pools tend to be smaller. It also lacks live chat support, and phone assistance can be unresponsive at times.
BangBet
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
BangBet is a mobile-first bookie that focuses on simple use and quick access. It has dedicated apps for iOS and Android, which makes it a convenient option for users who prefer gaming on the go.
The platform covers nine sports, with football being the main attraction. You’ll find top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, as well as local tournaments from across Africa.
Its low margins mean users get better payouts on winning wagers, which gives it an edge for those who value higher returns.
Transactions through M-Pesa are quick. The minimum deposit starts from 1 KES, and withdrawals begin at 100 KES. Deposits reflect instantly, and withdrawals usually take just a few minutes. In addition to M-Pesa, BangBet also supports Airtel Money, which adds convenience for Kenyan users.
New customers get a 200% first deposit bonus. Existing users can also benefit from its acca bonus that adds between 4% and 200% on winning wagers with at least four selections.
That said, BangBet isn’t without its flaws. Since it’s designed mainly for mobile use, the site doesn’t resize properly on desktop, making navigation awkward on larger screens. Sports coverage is also limited, with only a handful of categories beyond football.
Kwikbet
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
Kwikbet is a perfect option for football fans, featuring major leagues like the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga. It’s well-suited for in-play users, too, providing live stats and odds that update throughout a match. Registration is quick, taking less than two minutes.
The platform supports deposits from 1 KES up to 300,000 KES, with withdrawals starting at 50 KES. Transactions usually complete within minutes.
Kwikbet also runs frequent jackpots worth millions of shillings. New users can get up to 5,000 KES as a welcome reward, and there’s a referral program with no limit on what you can earn.
The site features both dark and light modes, and it offers mobile apps for iOS and Android for on-the-go use.
That said, Kwikbet still sits behind bigger names like Betika and SportPesa in brand recognition. Its non-sports section is limited compared to international platforms, and it provides less public detail about its payment systems and technical structure than some of its peers.
The “Big Three” Also Accept M-Pesa
Big-name brands in Kenya’s market also work with M-Pesa, but they lack the same small-stakes/transaction convenience and fast turnaround that make betPawa, SportyBet, BangBet, and Kwikbet more accessible for everyday users.
Betika
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
Betika is one of the most popular platforms in Kenya and is known for its strong focus on football. It accepts M-Pesa, giving users an easy way to handle payments. The site offers wagering opportunities on more than 20 sports from over 20 countries, including Esports and Virtuals. Each fixture can have up to 100 different markets, giving users plenty of ways to stake on their favorite events.
Its in-play section is one of the best locally, with over 120 live events available each day. The platform provides detailed stats for ongoing games, and even though it doesn’t have live streaming, it includes a real-time match tracker that gives clear insights into what’s happening on the field.
You don’t have to sit by your computer to use Betika. The website is mobile-friendly and comes with an app for both iOS and Android.
For M-Pesa users, deposits start from 10 KES, and withdrawals begin at 50 KES. Deposits are instant, and withdrawals are usually processed within an hour. All transactions are free, though M-Pesa may charge its own service fees. Betika also supports Airtel Money as an alternative payment method.
If you enjoy chasing bonuses, Betika offers plenty of reasons to stay active. It runs multiple jackpots at once, with some prize pools reaching as high as 15,000,000 KES. New users also get part or all of their first deposit fees refunded daily for up to two days.
Despite its wide coverage and variety, Betika’s odds are not always as high as those on some other large betting sites. It makes up for that with its reliability, range of events, and strong reputation across Kenya.
SportPesa
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
SportPesa covers about 11 sports markets and remains one of the most reliable options for traditional sports lovers, especially football fans. It also features boosted odds on select matches, which can give users higher potential payouts.
One of its biggest attractions is its jackpots. The Mega Jackpot can reach up to 120,000,000 KES, the largest of any bookmaker in Kenya, and there are also smaller weekly jackpots that keep things exciting throughout the week.
Through M-Pesa, you can fund your SportPesa account with as little as 10 KES, and withdrawals start from 50 KES. Transactions are quick, and there are no extra fees charged by the bookie. If you prefer another payment method, SportPesa also accepts Airtel Money.
The platform has dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android, which makes it convenient for users who prefer to bet on the go.
For support, you can reach the team through email or phone at any time, as assistance is available 24/7.
SportPesa’s odds are generally average compared to some international brands, especially on matches without boosted odds. It also doesn’t offer regular promotions for sports users, which makes it feel more traditional compared to newer bookmakers in the market.
Odibets
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
Odibets has one of the widest sports selections among Kenya’s big three, with options across football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and more. It also includes virtuals like eSoccer for those who prefer quick events.
You don’t need to spend much to get started; the minimum stake is just KES 1. Deposits can be made via M-Pesa and start from KSh 10. You can withdraw from KSh 100. Transactions are fast, with deposits reflecting instantly and withdrawals typically taking only a few minutes.
The website is simple and easy to navigate, and there are mobile apps for Android and iOS. It even supports USSD wagering, which makes it handy for users without internet access.
Current app promos include daily prizes (KSh 200) and weekly draws up to KSh 50,000, alongside free bets and a 10% cashback on the first losing bet of the day (bonus terms apply).
Compared to some international bookmakers such as 1xBet, Odibets has a smaller range of markets and fewer sports overall. Still, its local focus, low limits, and convenience through M-Pesa make it a strong everyday option for Kenyan users.
Conclusion
M-Pesa defines the betting experience in Kenya as it makes it fast and mobile-centric. Below are a few things to note as we end the article.
- M-Pesa was founded in 2007 by Safaricom, and it is now used by nearly every legal bookmaker in Kenya.
- Betting firms such as betPawa, SportyBet, and BangBet let you start with as little as KSh 1.
- Most withdrawals are instant or take just a few minutes to reflect.
- The maximum per transaction through M-Pesa is KSh 250,000, with a daily limit of KSh 500,000.
- Some betting sites with M-Pesa, such as SportPesa, also accept Airtel Money as an alternative.
- Odibets supports USSD wagering, allowing users to stake without internet access.
- Many betting websites cover virtuals and Esports, such as SportyBet and Odibets. Kwikbet also offers virtuals alongside a strong focus on football and local jackpots.
