As we take a closer look at the top 10 gambling places in Kenya, you will realize that Kenya has had a long history with gambling, yet it is in the last few years that the industry has become a boom. Due to internet penetration and increased smartphone use, gambling and online sports betting have become a huge business in the country.
Is Gambling Legal in Kenya?
According to the Gaming Act of 1966, all forms of gambling including Betting and Lotteries are legal in Kenya under the regulation of the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
The Licensing board ensures that all gambling operators adjust to the changing regulations and ensures fair play among the stakeholders. Under the Gaming Act, all Kenyans above the age of 18 are also allowed to bet or gamble in any state-approved Land Casinos, Lotteries, Bingo, and Sports betting websites.
Below is a brief guide on Kenya’s gambling laws along with a list of the top 10 gambling places in Kenya where you can play and win real money. All of the gambling places listed below accept Kenyan players above the age of 18 years and are allowed to operate in Kenya.
Top 10 Gambling Places in Kenya
As a gambler, there is no shortage of gambling places in Kenya where you can play with real money and hope to stash some more cash at the end of the day. Whether land-based or online, there are the most preferred top 10 gambling places in Kenya that you should definitely give a try.
Sportpesa (Best Kenyan sports betting website)
The next significant event in the history of gambling in Kenya is the huge upsurge in sports betting. Sportpesa is the betting platform that set the benchmark for sports betting and created the standards that every gambler expects the other betting sites to have. As a matter of fact, Sportpesa was so big that it almost became monopolistic during its better days.
Due to some unclear circumstances sold to Kenyans as non-compliance propaganda to Kenyans by the BCLB, Sportpesa was denied a license to operate in Kenya. The good news though is that Sportpesa is now back and some of their loyal customers have resumed betting.
To be fair enough, Sportpesa has a flawless system with fast payout, a rich portfolio of games and leagues along excellent customer care.
The popularity of the English Premier League and the legality of betting have contributed significantly to the rising numbers of Kenyans participating in sports betting. Coupled with the expanding mobile market in Kenya, mobile payment services like M-Pesa have eased online betting on the go.
Sportpesa also sponsors different tournaments in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. It was also the official sponsor of Tottenham at its prime.
Best Land-Based Casinos in Kenya
Before the advent of online gambling, all the magic used to happen in land-based casinos which set the benchmark for regulations in the country.
Even though casino games have become very popular in Kenya, they have by no means affected the solid and original land-based casino industry in Kenya. Kenya prides itself on having some of the best world-class casino resorts that are extremely popular with foreigners and the wealthy class.
Land-based casinos are a fundamental sector since they mostly appeal to international travelers which explains why they are strategically located close to popular tourist hotspots including resorts, airports, and beach towns. In these casinos, you will find everything on your wish-list including;
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker
- Baccarat
- Craps
- Table poker
- Keno
- Lotto
- Bingo
- Scratch cards
Golden Key Casino Mombasa
Some of the most popular casinos are located in Mombasa which is a well-known tourist hub in Kenya. Among them is the Golden Key Casino Mombasa. This is one of the most elegant Casinos in the country overlooking Mombasa old town. The glamour and style combined with a sophisticated gaming environment specifically appeal to international travelers.
Mayfair Casino & Club Nairobi
The Mayfair conglomerate has a strong presence in East Africa. As one of the oldest land casinos in Kenya opening doors in 1994, the Mayfair group boasts of 3 Casinos operating in Kenya.
The Mayfair Casino & Club Nairobi is located in the upmarket Westlands area of Nairobi. The Casino is strategically located near some of the most popular and prestigious shopping malls in Nairobi. The casino provides an exquisite atmosphere, with beautiful, traditional African style murals filling the walls
Casino Flamingo
This is another popular Land-based casino that markets itself as Nairobi’s friendliest casino. Owned and operated by the Senator group, the casino appeals to exceptional customers who prefer classic gambling over online gambling.
To provide an inviting gambling environment, the casino has high walls and crystal chandeliers cascading from the ceiling.
Betika (Generous Jackpots in Kenya)
Betika is one of the betting companies that took full advantage of the blow that Sportpesa had faced. When Sportpesa was away, Betika has rapidly risen through the ranks to be one of the most popular betting sites in Kenya.
Currently, Betika has 2 jackpots which include a mid-week Jackpot worth 15m and a grand jackpot worth 100M. At this rate, it is fair to say that Betika has been doing well in Sportpesa’s absentia.
You can bet on live games, the Betika League, EPL, or your league of choice. The betting platform allows you to pay using Mpesa and Airtel money which is convenient for Kenyans from all walks of life.
You can assess how reliable a betting site is by checking out how their customer service options shape up. Reliable platforms pull out all the stops to ensure that their players have a hassle-free and entertaining experience. A key element of this is providing top quality customer support and Betika has nailed it on that.
The site gives you several avenues for you to get in touch with their customer care team including, phone numbers, live chats, social media, and emails. If a random survey was to be done today, betika would definitely be in the list of the top 3 gambling places in Kenya if not the best.
Betway Casino (Best Licensed Gambling Site in Kenya)
Online sports betting in Kenya takes the cake in terms of popularity, but with more internet accessibility, casino games are becoming more and more popular.
Apart from sports betting, Betway also offers Casino games for Kenyans to bet on. To be considered one of the best online casinos in Kenya, the game portfolio needs to be first-class.
Top operators like Betway typically feature hundreds of slots on their platform from traditional-style one-armed bandits to the most graphically advanced and feature-rich video slots. Betway is one gambling platform that provides solutions to cater to all players’ preferences.
They also offer progressive jackpot slots with life-changing prizes. Yet slots are not everyone’s game of choice, and that is why a diverse game portfolio is vital. Betway online casino includes a range of games as well as traditional versions of popular games like roulette and blackjack.
From Betway’s portfolio, Kenyan players have access to the full package of online casino games. These games include Baccarat
- Craps
- Table poker
- Slots
- Keno
- Lotto
- Bingo
- Scratch cards
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Video poker
- Niche games
Apart from Casino games, you can engage in sports betting on Betway. Their payouts are quick and reliable compared to other betting sites.
Spinit Casino (top 10 gambling places in Kenya)
Spinit Casino is popularly known due to its generous free spin bonus. Although it is a foreign gambling platform, it is one of the few regulated online casinos that accept Kenyan players. No assessment of an online casino’s game selection would be complete without considering the live game portfolio.
Live casino games bridge the gap between the atmosphere of playing at a real brick and mortar casino and playing online. Spinit Casino is one of the top 10 gambling places in Kenya boasts of a high-quality live casino platform, with a wide range of games that you can play with a real dealer.
Playing live games can provide a more immersive and engaging real-casino experience than opting for RNG games. If you are yet to play them, it is fair to say that you are missing out.
Spinit Online Casino makes live gaming perfect for fans of table games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. The platform boasts of over 1300 games so you can be sure to be spoilt of choice. This Online Casino is registered in the UK and it accepts Kenyan gamblers.
Spinit is one of the most reliable online Casinos that Kenyans use to gamble while on the go. It is owned and operated by Genesis Global Limited.
22Bet Casino & Sports betting (Recommended Casino & Casino)
Most Kenyans prefer to play casino games on their mobile phones rather than on a desktop PC. That said, a high-quality casino app or AMP website must be considered if you are appealing to the Kenyan clientele.
22Bet Casino is one of the top 10 gambling places in Kenya with the most user-friendly interface. While most operators have embraced the growing trend of mobile gaming too late, 22Bet Casino has been built from the ground up with a very intuitive interface.
This has given the players the option of playing on the go. This platform even allows you to pay using Mpesa which is one of the most widely accepted payment options in the country.
22Bet also offers sports betting where you can bet on EPL games among other leagues. They also have a variety of casino games for you to choose from while betting on the go. Although it is one of the newest gambling places in Kenya, 22Bet is definitely setting some standards on how online casino games should be done.
The website is also popular due to fast payouts and great customer service. Deposits can be done via Mpesa which is hassle-free for Kenyan gamblers.
Casino Cruise (Highest Payouts in Kenya)
To experience the full fun and entertainment of playing real money casino games online, you need to be confident that the games you play are fair. After all, the fun soon turns to frustration if you stand no chance of winning. Casino cruise prides itself on being the best online live casino with the highest payouts.
As a gambler, it is imperative to choose a gambling platform that is not only reliable and trusted but also one that guarantees you some good returns for your risk.
Casino Cruise is a reputable platform in our list of top 10 gambling places in Kenya that guarantees you higher payouts than the competition. They are regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and they also accept gamblers from Kenya.
Apart from offering the highest payouts, Casino Cruise also offers a generous portfolio of casino games to choose from. Deposits and withdrawals can easily be done using your debit or credit card. Ever dreamt of Vegas nightlife? You will find it all on Casino Cruise.
The biggest challenge will be to play all the 1300 games on their platform. If you have not checked them out, sneak in and see what you have been missing out on.
Casino.com (Best Online Casino Kenya)
Given the huge choice of top casino sites for Kenya, operators have to really shine to attract new players. Whilst the game selection and mobile apps play a big part in deciding where to play, the other key draw is the welcome bonus that is on offer.
This is where Casino.com takes the win. You will find that pretty much all online casinos offer a bonus to new players. However, Casino.com combines that with an unmatched online casino betting experience.
This alone has earned Casino.com the title of the top-rated online Casino app in Kenya. The Bonus provided by Casino.com extends your bankroll which gives you more playtime and increases your chances of winning big.
When it comes to identifying the best welcome bonuses for Kenyan players, it is important to not only evaluate the amount that is on offer but also assess how favorable the bonus conditions are.
As a rule of thumb, the welcome bonus is a one-time deal for most online gambling platforms. But with Casino.com you can qualify for rewards for up to your 3 or 4 deposits with matched bonus funds.
If you are looking for the best Online Casino with fast payouts and reliable games, then look no further than Casino.com
Casino Midas (top 10 gambling places in Kenya)
For most Kenyans who are after playing real money casino games, payment options are a significant consideration. While most Casinos will allow you to pay using bank cards, very few allow other payment options. Some of the convenient payment methods include Mpesa, Skrill, Neteller, and other e-wallets.
When you play at a legit casino, you can be confident that the banking cashier is safe, enabling you to deposit safely. So regardless of whether you choose to deposit at an online casino in Kenya with M-Pesa, Visa, Neteller, or any other option, the transaction will be protected using encryption technology.
Casino Midas is popular for having safe and secure payouts and also allowing you to deposit using different payment options.
In most cases, when you deposit at an online casino, the transaction is processed instantly. However, when it comes to withdrawals, the process is lengthier.
There are several reasons for this. For starters, when you request a withdrawal for the first time, reputable operators will perform a verification check. However, Casino Midas ensures that all withdrawals are done successfully and timely to avoid frustrations.
Gambling regulation in Kenya
Regulating online gambling is one of the greatest challenges facing authorities the world over. Kenya, like many other countries, does not have clear cut regulations when it comes to online casino gambling.
As a rule of thumb, all online casinos are technically legal in Kenya. However, due to the lack of local online casinos, Kenya gamblers prefer to use offshore casino sites. This is because they are available and more reliable.
Even though gambling at an offshore casino is considered illegal in Kenya, the laws are loosely enforced. Foreign casinos are allowed to operate in Kenya. For the record, no Kenyan has been punished for playing at a foreign online casino.
As gambling continues to be prevalent in the country, a Geo-Poll survey on gambling determined that Kenya had the largest number of gamblers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) among 17-35-year-olds with 76% having bet previously.
In this light, the government has made various attempts to reduce the high level of gambling. This has been done, whilst effectively maintaining the valuable income provided by operators through taxes.
Mandated to regulate the industry is the Betting control and licensing board. BCLB, as a division in the state department of Coordination in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, is responsible for controlling gaming and betting operators, promoting gambling, collecting taxes, and eradicating illegal gambling.
