Top Legal and Safest Betting Sites for Esports
In this section, we look at popular platforms in Kenya and explain how each one approaches Esports markets.
1xBet
| PROS |
CONS |
- Very large esports section with many titles, including niche games.
- Many markets per match on big events (good for both simple and advanced bets).
- Live and pre-match are clearly separated, so esports is easier to browse.
- Some esports events may include live streaming.
- Has esports-focused promos, like a refund offer on selected correct score bets.
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- The interface can feel busy and clumsy, especially on small phones.
- Simple picks can take time to find because there are many features.
- Advanced tools (like a true bet builder) are limited and can be hard to locate.
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1xBet is a major international bookmaker for Esports betting in Kenya. It focuses on volume, with many titles listed and events running through most of the day. Esports is placed in its own section on the Kenyan site, with separate pages for pre-event and live action, so it is not mixed into other sports menus.
Coverage is wide, with more than a dozen titles on offer. This goes beyond Dota 2, League of Legends, CS2, and Valorant. You also see PUBG, Mobile Legends, Rocket League, and other niche scenes that rarely appear on local bookmakers. For major fixtures, you can see up to 20 markets per fixture. Common options include map winner, correct score, total maps, and first map winner. Live action runs alongside pre-event options, and selected tournaments, such as CS2 European Pro League games, come with live streaming at no extra cost for eligible users. Many events include basic stats to support quick decisions.
1xBet has deep ties to the global Esports scene. It has worked with teams and organizers like MIBR, OG Esports, ESL, and WePlay Esports, plus many others. This level of access shows in the coverage and pricing, and it often translates into competitive odds on big tournaments. Outside Esports, the site also lists more than 30 traditional sports if you want to mix Esports with football or other markets in one account.
Adding funds is simple since the bookmaker accepts M-Pesa and Airtel Money. Minimum deposit and withdrawal limits are low, often around 100 KES, depending on payment method and current site rules.
The bookmaker offers Esports-focused deals. If you place a correct score bet on selected Esports matches and it loses, you can get a refund in cash or bonus funds, up to the limit in the promo rules.
You can also use the iOS and Android apps, which cover the full Esports section.
The main drawbacks come from scale. The interface feels clumsy due to the number of features packed onto one screen, especially on small phones. Finding simple picks can take time. Advanced tools like a true bet builder are available only for some sports and matches, and can be hard to find.
22Bet
| PROS |
CONS |
- Strong esports coverage across many titles and tournaments.
- Very good match data (H2H, recent form, map history, timelines), useful when there is no video.
- Includes esports simulations (eFootball, eBasketball, eTennis) for always-on action.
- Promotions are frequent (reloads, rebates, cashback), and some can apply to esports (depending on rules).
- The welcome offer is large compared with many local brands.
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- Live streaming is limited, so most esports rely on trackers/stats.
- The look feels like a classic sportsbook, not a “gaming-first" platform.
- The “low minimum deposit" mentioned is not the lowest versus some competitors.
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22Bet runs a large and well-balanced Esports section that fits naturally into its wider sportsbook. On most days, you can find many pre-event and live fixtures, spread across dozens of titles. Coverage includes major leagues like ESL Pro League for CS2, LEC for League of Legends, and top Dota 2 events. It also lists less popular scenes such as PUBG Global Series and Rocket League Championship Series.
The range of options suits different experience levels. New users can stick to simple outcomes, and more experienced punters can explore deeper markets on bigger fixtures. One area where 22Bet puts in extra effort is data. Many pre-event and live fixtures often include head-to-head records, recent form, map or game history, and live timelines. This helps a lot on matches that do not include video feeds, since you still have context to work with during live action.
Esports does not exist in isolation here. The site mixes in Esports simulations like eFootball, eBasketball, and eTennis, which keeps activity going around the clock. Traditional sports are also fully available, so users who switch between football and Esports can do everything from one account.
There are mobile apps for iOS and Android, and live support runs 24/7, which helps when dealing with payments or account issues.
Local payments are supported. You can use M-Pesa and Airtel Money, with a low minimum deposit for Kenyan punters (usually around 100–150 KES, depending on payment method and current site rules).
The welcome offer gives 100% up to 19,000 KES, and there are also extra promos for app users from time to time. Weekly reloads, rebates, and cashback offers appear often, and many of these can also be used on Esports bets, depending on the bonus rules.
Esports coverage here matches many bookmakers that focus only on gaming. Live streaming is limited, so most events rely on stats and trackers. The layout also keeps a classic sportsbook look, which may feel less like a gaming platform for users coming from pure Esports online betting sites.
Betika
| PROS |
CONS |
- Very simple and familiar layout for Kenyan users (easy for esports beginners).
- Good if you like virtual football and eSoccer, with frequent rounds.
- Promos are easy to understand (example: daily charge refund bonus style offer).
- Has a parlay win boost that can sometimes apply site-wide.
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- Esports catalogue is small compared with big international sites.
- Few esports-specific promotions (most offers are not built around esports).
- Better for light esports betting, not for fans who want deep esports coverage.
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Betika is a local bookmaker built mainly for Kenyan users. It focuses on football and virtual sports, and Esports plays a smaller role on the platform. Still, Esports is available within the same interface that many local users already know, which keeps things familiar and easy to navigate.
The Esports list is limited but clear. You will find core titles like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike, each with its own page. Coverage is not deep, but the basics are there. Alongside these titles, Betika leans heavily into simulated markets. Virtual football and eSoccer appear often, and these virtual formats run frequently throughout the day. This gives users a way to follow game-style events even when real Esports fixtures are not available.
One of Betika’s main strengths is its layout. The interface follows the same Kenyan-style structure used for football and jackpots. Markets are simple and easy to read, which helps punters who are new to Esports or used to traditional sports.
The site works well on mobile, and there is a dedicated app for users who prefer placing selections on the go.
Payments are also simple for Kenyan users, with popular mobile money options like M-Pesa and Airtel Money supported for both deposits and withdrawals.
Bonuses are tied more to general activity than to Esports alone. Bettors can get transaction charges refunded as a bonus on their first deposit of the day. There is also a win boost of up to 100%, capped at 1 million KES, on parlays with at least two selections. Some of these offers can apply across the site, mainly on football and virtual games, and may also cover Esports bets when allowed by the bonus rules, even if they are not designed specifically for gaming titles.
The main downside is scale. The Esports catalogue is small compared to large international platforms like 1xBet or 22Bet. Promotions built around Dota, CS, or other titles are rare. Betika works best for users who already use the platform for football and want light Esports access without leaving a familiar local setup.
SportPesa
| PROS |
CONS |
- Supports Swahili.
- Strong for eFootball and football-style simulations (very familiar feel).
- Known for very large jackpots (mainly football-focused).
- Sometimes shows boosted odds that may also appear on eFootball events.
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- Limited depth for true competitive esports compared to esports-first platforms.
- Esports markets often do not qualify for many promos and jackpots.
- Best for simulation-style betting, but not ideal for hardcore esports fans.
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SportPesa established its roots in Kenya in 2014 and remains a household name for local punters. The platform supports Swahili, which makes navigation simple for users who prefer their native language. It earned its massive popularity through a heavy focus on football and life-changing jackpots. eFootball fits naturally into this setup and gets most of the attention on the Esports side. This suits users who already enjoy football-style simulations and want a digital version that feels familiar. Boosted odds sometimes appear on football and may also be available on eFootball events, which adds value if you stick to these markets.
If you enjoy variety, the bookie covers many other traditional sports to keep things interesting. The jackpot system is a major draw, with several different jackpots running at the same time. These prize pools can climb as high as over 100 million KES.
Managing your money is easy because the site supports M-Pesa and Airtel Money. You can start with a minimum deposit that is low for Kenyan users, usually around 50–100 KES, depending on the payment method and current rules. Withdrawals are equally accessible, starting from around 50 KES for most methods. This low entry barrier makes it a go-to choice for casual users.
There are a few noticeable drawbacks regarding its gaming coverage. You will find limited options for major competitive titles, as common games like Dota 2, LoL, and CS are not always available. Furthermore, the few gaming markets provided usually do not qualify for most promotions or the famous jackpots. The platform is strong in football-style simulations but lacks the depth that competitive gaming fans expect.
Melbet
| PROS |
CONS |
- One of the widest esports selections in the article (dozens of titles).
- Can list unusual titles that are rare on Kenyan sites.
- Strong in-play esports with fast updates and lots of live events.
- Some events may include live streaming (where available).
- Swahili support helps navigation, and the welcome bonus is strong.
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- The site can feel cluttered and overwhelming for new users.
- Esports promos can feel limited, because many offers sit under general sports campaigns.
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Melbet is one of the stronger international bookmakers available to users in Kenya, especially for Esports coverage. The site runs a very large catalogue with dozens of titles. Core games like CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, StarCraft II, and Valorant are all present. Melbet also lists unusual titles such as Angry Birds, Sonic, Subway Surfers, Overcooked, and even GeoGuessr, which is rare on Kenyan betting sites.
Esports simulations are also a big part of the offering. You get eSoccer, eBasketball, and other digital versions of traditional sports. Each title comes with a wide range of options. On major fixtures, you can see many different markets, which gives room for simple picks and more detailed selections depending on experience.
Live action is one of Melbet’s stronger areas. The in-play section runs almost nonstop for top games and smaller tournaments. Real-time stats like score progression and map results update quickly, and some events include live streaming. This keeps everything in one place and reduces the need to track games elsewhere.
The site is built with Kenyan users in mind. It supports Swahili, which helps with navigation and support. Payments are straightforward, with M-Pesa available for deposits and withdrawals.
New users can get a welcome bonus, often a 200% offer up to 25,700 KES on their first deposit, depending on current promo rules.
Mobile apps are available for Android and iOS, and they mirror the full Esports section.
The main downside is presentation. The site shows a lot of information at once, which can feel cluttered and overwhelming, especially for new users. Esports-specific promotions also feel limited, since most offers sit under general sports campaigns rather than gaming-only deals.
MozzartBet
| PROS |
CONS |
- Very strong on big jackpots and wide football coverage.
- Good mix of football, virtuals, eSoccer, so you have fast options.
- Esports is focused on core titles (CS2, LoL) with several markets per match.
- Mentions competitive pricing and low margins on selected esports events.
- Welcome bonus is clear and simple (deposit threshold + bonus).
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- Esports selection is narrow (few titles, fewer leagues).
- Jackpots do not apply to esports, so esports players miss the biggest promo hook.
- Not great if you want a large esports variety like on international sites.
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MozzartBet is a locally based sportsbook with a strong footprint in Kenya. It is best known for football and large jackpots, which run daily and weekly with prize pools that can reach up to 200 million KES. Football coverage is wide, with many leagues and competitive pricing, and it also includes alternatives like virtual football and eSoccer for users who want fast-paced action without waiting for real fixtures.
Esports plays a smaller role but is still present in a practical way. Instead of listing dozens of titles, MozzartBet focuses on games that already have an audience in the country. Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends form the core of its Esports offer. These titles come with several market options per fixture, and odds are competitive with low margins on selected events.
M-Pesa is fully supported. You can deposit small amounts (often from around 10–20 KES, depending on M-Pesa rules), which suits casual users, and withdrawals start from 50 KES.
New accounts that deposit at least 100 KES receive a 50% bonus up to 2,500 KES. Support is also available 24/7 through live channels.
MozzartBet works well for users who want to keep football, virtuals, and a small Esports section in one app. Esports coverage is lighter than on international platforms like Melbet. The number of leagues and tournaments is limited, and jackpots do not apply to Esports at all. For core titles only, it does the job. For a wider variety, other Esports betting companies go further.
Dafabet
| PROS |
CONS |
- The esports section feels structured and easy if you come from traditional sports.
- Focuses on the biggest esports titles (simple, not overwhelming).
- Strong in-play experience with real-time stats and many market options.
- Includes esports-style sports simulations (eCricket, eFootball, eBasketball) as a crossover.
- Has a simple sports welcome bonus.
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- Esports feels more like an add-on, not the main product.
- Smaller titles and minor leagues rarely appear.
- Few esports-specific promos compared with esports-heavy international platforms.
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Dafabet is an Asian-based bookie that also operates in Kenya. Its approach to Esports is similar to MozzartBet, with a clear focus on the biggest and most followed titles rather than trying to cover everything. On the Kenyan site, Esports feels structured and easy to follow, especially if you already spend time on classic sports like football or cricket.
The Esports menu centers on major names such as Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike (CS:GO / CS2). These are available alongside sports simulations like eCricket, eFootball, and eBasketball. This mix turns Dafabet into a practical crossover hub for users who enjoy digital games that mirror real sports. You can move from cricket to eCricket or from football to eFootball without switching sections or accounts.
The in-play area is one of the stronger parts of the platform. Live fixtures come with many ways to stake, updated odds, and real-time stats that track the flow of the game. Selected events also include live streaming, which adds context during fast-moving matches. This setup works well for users who prefer following games as they unfold rather than locking in picks early.
When you want a break from Esports, Dafabet offers access to around 20 traditional sports. Football, cricket, and basketball are all well covered, so the site does not feel narrow in scope.
Payments are simple for Kenyan users, with M-Pesa supported.
New users can also get a sports welcome bonus, usually a 50% bonus up to 1,000 KES on their first deposit, depending on current promo rules.
There are limits to keep in mind. Esports here feels more like an add-on than the main focus, so smaller titles and minor leagues rarely appear. There are also a few promotions designed specifically for Esports, as most offers focus on traditional sports.
