Sports Betting Sites That Use PayPal in Kenya: Do They Exist?

Thunderpick: Buying a Gift Card With PayPal

Thunderpick is an offshore bookmaker that leans heavily toward Esports and cryptocurrency betting. It operates under thunderpick.io and isn’t licensed for use in Kenya, so users there must understand the risks before signing up.

The site focuses on fast crypto transactions and uses a PayPal-supported gift card system as a bridge for those who prefer to deposit in fiat currency. You can buy €25, €50, €100, €250, or €500 gift cards through Kinguin using PayPal, but these cards can only be used to fund your account. Withdrawals must go through the site’s crypto payout options. In addition to gift cards, deposits can be made using a range of cryptocurrencies, including BTC, USDT, LTC, XRP, and BNB. Gift card deposits may involve fees or exchange rate costs, so users should review details before committing.

Thunderpick covers over 20 sports markets, but its standout area is Esports. It features betting on major leagues and events such as BLAST, European Pro League, ESL Challenger League, Valorant Random Match, and E-soccer tournaments. The site also hosts the Thunderpick World Championship, which strengthens its identity as an Esports-first platform. Beyond Esports, you’ll find regular sports markets for football, basketball, and tennis. It also offers free live streaming on many of its matches, which keeps you connected to the match.

New users can claim a 100% welcome bonus up to €600 on their first Esports deposit, which gives a strong boost to early betting.

Legal Bookmakers With Mobile Money

Here you’ll find top licensed Kenyan bookmakers with integration of M-Pesa and Airtel Money, fast payouts, and dependable local support. They’re ideal choices for anyone also seeking wide sports coverage, generous bonuses, and great odds.

SportPesa

SportPesa offers betting across more than 12 sports, including tennis, basketball, and boxing. Its football coverage is especially strong, featuring major leagues such as the English Premier League and La Liga, as well as local Kenyan competitions. You’ll also find events from countries like Portugal, Italy, and Canada, among more than 20 others. In addition to live sports, SportPesa provides virtual games such as eFootball for even more variety.

The platform is very popular for its many jackpots with large prize amounts. There are 5 Mega Jackpot Pro options. These offer rewards that can reach around KES 109,000,000, depending on the week. Weekly jackpots often reach tens of millions of KES and can go above KES 24 million.

SportPesa does not accept PayPal. It provides more convenient transaction methods. You can use M-Pesa and Airtel Money. M-Pesa deposits start at about KES 50. Withdrawals start at KES 50. All Airtel Money transactions start at about KES 50 as well. Deposits happen instantly, and withdrawals usually arrive within a few minutes, but can sometimes take longer.

SportPesa has a long history in Kenya and is viewed as a reliable betting platform with consistent payouts and strong compliance. Yet, it offers a limited number of bonuses beyond its jackpots. New and existing users can find some extra promotions, but not as many as on some other sites, and the odds, especially on less popular events, have a normal bookmaker margin, which can feel high on some smaller games. Despite that, its trusted reputation, fast transactions, and broad sports coverage keep it among the most preferred legal bookmakers for users who use M-Pesa or Airtel Money.

BangBet

BangBet is a great choice for mobile users who want something fast and simple. It runs smoothly on its mobile website and lightweight apps for Android and iOS. This makes it convenient for users who like keeping track of games or bets on the go.

Football fans will find BangBet especially suitable. It offers up to 200 betting options per match, including totals, correct score, and first goalscorer. Its live section updates in real time with data like possession stats, shot counts, and corner numbers, along with basic live match information. If you want a break from football, it also features over nine traditional sports and several virtual games.

The platform is known for being very accommodating. You can deposit as little as KES 1 and up to KES 150,000. Withdrawals range from KES 100 to KES 150,000. Deposits and withdrawals are fast through M-Pesa, usually processed in about a minute. There’s also a step-by-step guide on how to use the site, which helps beginners get started without confusion.

Users can win a jackpot of up to KES 555,000, and there’s a daily cashback of up to 7% on losses. These offers keep things engaging, though the number of sports markets is smaller compared to bigger bookmakers. BangBet’s mobile-first layout also means the desktop site keeps the same compact mobile format without auto-adjusting, which may not suit users who prefer larger screens. Even so, its speed, simple setup, and rewarding promos make it a practical option for mobile bettors using M-Pesa.

22Bet

22Bet is one of the biggest international betting brands operating in Kenya. The site supports both English and Swahili, which makes it accessible to a local audience. It offers an extensive range of markets with thousands of pre-match and live events each day across more than 30 sports. You’ll find traditional options like football, tennis, and basketball, plus non-sporting categories such as politics and weather. It also includes fast-rising “poly bets” on trending topics like business, celebrity news, AI, and the economy. The odds are competitive, which adds more value to every wager.

The platform supports M-Pesa and Airtel Money for deposits and withdrawals.

22Bet also supports free live streaming for select events, mainly in popular sports like football and basketball, when available.

The cash out feature is available, too. This lets users settle bets before the game ends when they want to secure winnings or cut losses.

Signing up is easy and fast. New users receive a 100% bonus on their first deposit up to KES 19,000. Existing users enjoy weekly reload bonuses, and an 8% weekly cashback offer for eligible bets. Signing up takes only a few minutes, and the process is intuitive from registration to deposit.

Even though 22Bet supports local language and payment options, it has limited localisation. It doesn’t have physical retail shops in Kenya, although it does run some local sponsorships and community partnerships. Nonetheless, its global reputation, large market coverage, fast M-Pesa and Airtel payments, and regular bonuses make it a dependable option for Kenyan bettors who prefer betting on a large international platform.

1xBet

1xBet is another major international brand active in Kenya, known for its massive sports coverage and range of features. It offers close to 40 categories, including traditional sports like football, tennis, and cricket, plus unique options such as marble races, virtual sports, and over 20 Esports titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2. For those who prefer local content, the “Bet on National Team” feature lets you wager on Kenyan national squads across different sports, adding a personal touch for local fans.

The platform hosts over 1,000 events daily, many of them live, which is one of the highest among all bookmakers. You can follow matches through free HD live streaming and real-time stats that help with in-play decisions. The cash out feature gives more control over active bets, and the Advancebet tool allows you to stake on new events using potential winnings from unsettled bets, a useful option when funds are low.

The transaction limit for M-Pesa and Airtel Money varies. M-Pesa deposits start at KES 40, with withdrawals beginning at KES 100. Airtel Money allows deposits from as low as KES 10, with withdrawals also starting at KES 100. Deposits are instant and have no fees from 1xBet, and withdrawals usually take about 15 minutes but can sometimes take longer. 1xBet itself doesn’t charge transaction fees, but your payment provider might.

New users can get a 200% bonus of up to KES 20,000 on their first deposit, depending on the current promotion. There’s also a cashback offer for users who lose 20 bets in a row.

The main drawback is the site’s interface, which looks dated and feels crowded. It can take time for new users to find their way around. Still, for anyone looking for extensive markets, frequent promotions, and quick M-Pesa or Airtel Money transactions, 1xBet is one of the most comprehensive options in Kenya.

BetLion

BetLion was founded in 2016 and later acquired by 888Africa, which helped expand its reach and improve its local platform. It features over 12 sports markets, including basketball, ice hockey, rugby union, and table tennis. But it stands out most for its football markets, covering top leagues like the EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, LaLiga and Ligue 1, as well as fixtures from the Kenyan Premier League. The odds are among the best in the local market, especially on football, giving users solid value per bet.

The site includes pre-made multi-wagers and regular odds boosts on football accumulators. For those who prefer bigger accas, BetLion offers up to a 1,250% win boost on wagers with three to fifty legs.

Transactions are straightforward through M-Pesa and Airtel Money, with deposits starting at KES 10 and withdrawals at KES 50. It also supports USSD betting, which means users can place bets and manage accounts even without an internet connection.

The bookmaker offers an acca boost that can raise your potential payout by as much as 1,250% on bets with 3 to 50 selections, with the bonus limit set at KES 2,500,000.

The platform is built for mobile use, with a simple interface that runs smoothly on most smartphones. Registration takes only a phone number and a PIN, making it quick to start betting.

BetLion’s downside is its limited sports coverage and fewer betting options compared to international brands like 22Bet and 1xBet. It mainly focuses on football, leaving fewer alternatives for users who enjoy niche sports or special markets. There are also fewer bonus offers than on big international sites.

Top International Betting Sites That Accept Crypto

For users who want to bet using cryptocurrencies, these international platforms provide access to multiple coins and global sports markets. None of them is legal in Kenya, so caution is advised. However, they are licensed by other regulatory bodies such as the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, etc.

Sportsbet.io

Sportsbet.io was launched in 2016 and focuses on the crypto betting market. It covers more than 25 traditional sports, including soccer, horse racing, and basketball, along with niche options like stock car racing, sumo, and lacrosse. The platform also features unique markets such as Mahjong, virtual sports, and Esports, which give users a wide range of events to bet on. Each match can include dozens or even hundreds of betting options, offering plenty of depth for anyone who likes variety.

For those seeking a secure crypto betting experience, Sportsbet.io is one of the most user-friendly options. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Tether, Binance Coin, and USD Coin, as well as ERC-20 tokens. Users from Kenya and several other countries can also use Fonbnk to buy crypto directly with local fiat payment methods.

The site also includes step-by-step guides for the main crypto wallet and payment method options. This helps new users handle deposits and withdrawals without fear. The platform’s crypto wallet interface is fast and well-documented, and its “Learn and How-To” hub covers everything from buying crypto to betting.

Its main limitation is that it doesn’t offer fiat betting accounts and keeps all balances in crypto, even if you start with fiat through partners, which makes it less practical for users who prefer traditional banking.

It also operates under a Curaçao license, which is less reputable compared to regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

There is also a welcome bonus for new users and some ongoing promotions for existing players, but the promo list is smaller than on many big fiat bookmakers.

Even with these downsides, Sportsbet.io is one of the most trusted crypto-focused bookmakers for users who want fast, transparent, and globally accessible betting.

1xBit

1xBit has one of the broadest sports coverages among all cryptocurrency betting platforms on my list. It features over 40 sports, ranging from traditional options like football, tennis, and basketball to Esports and non-sporting markets such as Polybets, TV shows, and politics. With thousands of pre-match and live events available each day, there are hundreds of ways to place bets across different categories. For in-play bettors, 1xBit offers real-time data updates and free live streaming on selected sports, keeping the betting experience active and engaging.

The platform also has a dedicated Android app for users who prefer mobile access.

It supports more than 40 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, XRP, USDT, ETH, DOGE, Dash, etc. Crypto is the default payment method, and deposits and withdrawals are processed directly through digital wallets without needing third-party gateways.

New users receive a 100% bonus up to 1 BTC on their first deposit that meets the current minimum requirement. The next three deposits are also matched, bringing the total bonus potential up to 7 BTC.

Existing users can take advantage of tools like Advancebet, the Accumulator of the Day feature with a 10% odds boost, and cashback on losses. These promotions give frequent bettors added value over time.

Some information, including specific banking and deposit options, is restricted and only visible after logging in.

Megapari

Megapari is a great choice for punters who like to explore new markets and options beyond the basics. It covers over 35 traditional sports, plus virtuals and Esports such as Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends. Each match features deep betting variety, offering up to 1,300 options ranging from simple wagers like match winner and over/under totals to advanced bets such as combo handicaps, Asian lines, and team performance props. Its in-play section is one of the most comprehensive, with more than a thousand live events every day. You can track stats like possession, shots on target, and fouls, and for selected matches, there’s free live streaming. Games without live streams come with a detailed match tracker that updates every play in real time, making it a good alternative for following the action.

The site is easy to navigate and designed to work well across devices. It also has mobile apps for both iOS (via TestFlight app) and Android users (via APK). Push notifications keep users updated on key match events like goals, corners, and yellow cards, so it’s easy to stay in sync with ongoing games.

Megapari supports dozens of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Tether, and Dogecoin. It’s also one of the few platforms on this list that accepts direct fiat payments and even offers region-specific methods. For instance, users in Kenya can transact directly through M-Pesa.

New users receive a 100% bonus of up to KES 31,400 on their first two deposits, though the exact value varies by region.

Megapari stands out for its wide coverage, smooth usability, and balance between crypto and fiat payment options.