Updated: 10 November 2026
Kubetikenya.com is an independent guide to sports betting in Kenya. We do not take bets, we do not sell tips and we do not rank betting companies. This site explains how betting works, what the law says and what to check before you put money into any betting account.
Betting is for adults 18 and over. It is a form of entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to earn an income or to solve money problems.
The law has changed: what that means for you
Betting in Kenya is now regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). The GRA was set up by the Gambling Control Act, 2025, and it replaced the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). The Act and the 2026 regulations are published on gra.go.ke. They cover licensing, the way gambling operations are run, advertising, appeals and operators based outside Kenya.
On 18 August 2026 the GRA published a notice. It extended existing licences to 24 September 2026 and opened applications for new licences under the 2025 Act.
On 3 November 2026 the GRA published its list of online licensed operators for the 2026/2027 financial year: 11 companies, six of them with a bookmaker licence. The GRA says the list will be updated periodically. This matters for you in three ways:
- Check the company behind a site against the GRA list, not against lists on other websites, videos or social media. Our guide on how to check a GRA licence shows the list with its date and source.
- If a brand is not on the list, it may not hold an online licence under the new Act. Ask the operator for its GRA licence number, or call the GRA, before you deposit.
- This site does not compare or rank operators. Being on the GRA list is not a recommendation from us.
Five things to check before you use a betting site
1. The licence
Check that the company behind the site is on the GRA list of online licensed operators. Ask the operator for its GRA licence number and look for the GRA licence notice on its website. If you are unsure, contact the GRA on its toll-free line, 0800 723 770. A site that cannot show you a licence is a site to avoid. See how to check a GRA licence and how to judge a betting site yourself.
2. M-Pesa payments
Betting sites in Kenya usually take deposits through an M-Pesa paybill number (Lipa na M-Pesa) or an STK push prompt on your phone. Withdrawals go back to your M-Pesa number. Airtel Money is also used. Before you pay, make sure the paybill number matches the one shown in the operator’s official app or website. Never share your M-Pesa PIN or a one-time code (OTP) with anyone. Read betting with M-Pesa.
3. The terms
Read the terms before you deposit, not after something goes wrong. Look for the minimum stake, the withdrawal rules, what happens when a match is postponed, and the rules for any bonus or free bet. Bonus terms decide when, and whether, bonus money can be withdrawn. Our guide to bonus terms explains wagering and the other conditions in plain words.
4. Tax
Tax rules changed on 1 July 2026 with the Finance Act, 2026. According to KRA and published tax analyses, money deposited for betting carries a 5% excise duty. Tax on payouts is withheld by the operator before the money reaches you. The exact deduction depends on the product, and the operator should show it on the bet slip or in your transaction history. The rules may change again with the next Finance Act. See betting law and tax in Kenya.
5. Tools that keep you in control
Before you start, find out where the site lets you set a deposit limit, take a break or close your account. If you need a longer break, the GRA has a self-exclusion process. You can ask operators to bar you for a set period, typically 6 months to 5 years, and you cannot end it early. Read our responsible gambling guide.
Why there is no “best betting sites” list here
Many websites publish rankings of “the best betting sites in Kenya”. We do not, for two reasons.
First, the GRA list of 3 November 2026 shows which companies hold an online licence. It does not show which site is better for you, and a licence is the minimum, not a quality score. A ranking would be our opinion presented as fact.
Second, Kenya’s Gambling Control (Advertising) Regulations, 2026 set strict rules for gambling promotion. Gambling adverts may not carry a call to action, testimonials or stories about past winners, and they may not present gambling as income or investment. A ranking with buttons that push you towards an operator would be promotion, not information.
What we offer instead is a checklist you can use on any site: how to judge a betting site yourself.
Jackpots and “sure” predictions
Football jackpots ask you to pick the result of many matches. A 17-match jackpot with home win, draw or away win for each match has 129,140,163 possible combinations of results. Nobody can know the right one in advance, so a “sure” jackpot prediction cannot exist. Read how jackpots work and our page on midweek jackpots.
Our guides
The basics
Money, rules and safety
- Betting with M-Pesa
- How bonus terms work
- Betting law and tax in Kenya
- How to check a GRA licence
- How to judge a betting site yourself
Jackpots
Staying in control
Casino games such as Aviator are explained in our casino guide, kasinokenya.com.
Gambling is for adults 18 and over. Betting can become addictive. Only stake money you can afford to lose, and never bet to pay debts or bills.
- GRA toll-free line: 0800 723 770 (customer support and gaming enquiries, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
- Self-exclusion: you can ask operators to bar you for a set period, typically 6 months to 5 years. See the GRA self-exclusion process.
- NACADA helpline 1192: a free 24-hour counselling and referral line run by NACADA. It deals mainly with alcohol and drugs, and can refer you to treatment services.
- More help and tools: responsible gambling.