Online Casinos Kenya

Are online casinos legal in Kenya

Yes, online casinos are legal in Kenya as long as they’re licensed. Kenya’s 1966 Gambling, Lottery, and Gambling Act governs all online casinos in the country.

Notably, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) oversees Kenyan online casinos. Moreover, the licensing committee is empowered by the “Games Law” to grant and cancel online casino licences.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board began licensing casinos in 2009. This move introduced fair gaming into the gambling sector. It also blocked most online casinos that were operating illegally.

Every casino licence in Kenya expires every year on 30th June. This ensures operators are up to date on the industry’s developing laws and regulations.

Regarding offshore casinos, Kenyans can gamble at these sites without worry. There’s no Kenyan law that bans gamblers from Kenya from accessing offshore sites.

Additionally, no law prohibits offshore sites from offering services to Kenyan players. That’s why many online casinos accept gamblers from Kenya.

The top reason online casinos have been leaving the scene is because of proposed high taxes. Fortunately, the high court temporarily halted this action. This has allowed even more casinos to enter the Kenyan market.

Most popular slots in Kenya

Online casinos in Kenya feature thousands of slots. Deciding on the best one to play can be challenging. That’s why we’ve gathered the following top slots every Kenyan gambler should play:

Wolf Gold

Pragmatic Play performed a fantastic job in producing this slot with an animal theme. The sound of wolves howling and owls hooting complements the theme of the game.

Wolf Gold has a lot of wonderful features. You may receive some comparatively sizable gains from wilds, re-spins, free spins, and a jackpot. You can win a maximum of Ksh.34,807,750.

Keep an eye out for animal symbols when enjoying the base game. They are the highest-paying symbols in the game. You may receive 20x your stake by landing buffalo symbols.

The Wolf Gold slot’s free spins round is one of its best features. You can activate this bonus round by landing 3 scatter symbols. Notably, the scatter symbol appears on the first, third, and fifth reels only.

A wolf represents the wild symbol. It stands in for other symbols on the grid. This is in exception of the money symbol, represented by a full moon.

Wolf Gold Free Play.

Big Bass Bonanza

Action-packed games with spectacular graphics and animations are Pragmatic Play’s specialty. With Big Bass Bonanza, however, Pragmatic Play has chosen a different route. Your mood will be serene and welcoming thanks to the slot’s fishing-themed motif.

Pragmatic Play creates the Big Bass Bonanza slot with the game’s fishing-themed theme in mind. Every visual component has some connection to that theme.

This fun slot machine has cool music playing in the background all the time. It synchronises flawlessly with the visual components.

The level of volatility for this game is medium. This indicates you will have frequent wins with respectable winning amounts. Most Kenyan gamblers enjoy medium-volatility games since they are nicely balanced.

Notably, Pragmatic Play has adopted a rather straightforward strategy when creating this game. So, you won’t find any bonus games.

There are, however, several features that will boost your winnings. They include the free spins feature and the special dynamite feature.

Other popular casino games in Kenya

Slots are not the only games offered at Kenyan online casinos. Don’t limit yourself to one form of gaming if you want to have maximum enjoyment. You can play the following well-known Kenyan casino games:

Poker

Players in the card game of poker wager on who has the better hand. The rules depend on the type of poker you’re playing. The broad poker categories you’ll find include stud, community card, and draw poker.

Baccarat

Different Baccarat game varieties have been marketed over time. Generally speaking, the rules are the same; nevertheless, player interaction differs. American and European variants are the most common variants you’ll find at Kenyan online casinos.

Kenyan sports betting sites

When it comes to sports, Kenyans love football. There’s no doubt about that. Although you’ll find rugby fans here and there, football ranks number one.

We can trace Kenya’s football team back to 1926. Of course, the biggest win was in 1961, when Kenya defeated Zanzibar 10-0. That’s without forgetting Kenya’s biggest loss against Uganda in 1932 (13-0).

Away from Kenyan football matches, Kenyans are obsessed with betting on sports. Several gamblers have scooped millions from sports betting sites. The most memorable one is that of a gentleman from Kakamega who won Ksh.221 million in 2017.

With about 20 million gamblers from Kenya, there’s a need for reputable and reliable sportsbooks. That’s why we’ve trimmed down a list of the top sportsbooks for Kenyan gamblers.

The casinos we recommend surpass our expectations for safety. They’re also dependable and profitable betting platforms.

You are not required to choose just one betting site. You can sign up for each of the sites on the list. It all depends on your particular preferences and betting style.

The top Kenyan betting sites provide a wide range of odds on the nation’s preferred sports. You’ll find great odds on sports like rugby, cricket, basketball, and soccer.

Here are the top sports betting sites we’ve carefully selected for you:

Airtel Money

After M-Pesa, Airtel Money is the most widely used mobile payment option in Kenya. It is acceptable at several Kenyan online casinos, but not many like M-Pesa.

Most Kenyan players like this choice because of its practicality and security. Notably, the transaction fees are remarkably minimal.

The Airtel Company, headquartered in India, introduced Airtel Money in Kenya in 2011. Currently, there are over 23,000 Airtel Money agents across the country.

Transacting with Airtel Money at a Kenyan online casino is convenient. You don’t need an app, internet connection, or bank account. Airtel Money processes deposits and withdrawals within minutes.

Another benefit that comes with Airtel Money is its safety. Since all transactions take place offline, you are safeguarded against internet fraud.

You may fund your account at Airtel Money Casinos using the Kenyan Shilling. Additionally, you get payouts in that same currency. This means you won’t have to pay for currency conversion.

Neteller

Casinos in Kenya that support e-wallets almost always support Neteller. This is because of its adaptability and dependability.

In 1999, Neteller was established in Canada as a stand-alone payment system. However, the British company Paysafe Group later purchased it.

Despite providing financial services, Neteller lacks a banking licence. This implies that you cannot get a loan from the business.

Neteller offers incredibly speedy transactions. The platform allows you to quickly load your Kenyan casino account and start playing. Withdrawals are also fast.

Notably, Kenyans making huge transactions via Neteller are added to a VIP program. Among other benefits, it is connected to lower costs and higher withdrawal limits.

You are not required to give an online casino any banking or personal information while using Neteller. This indicates that you are safeguarded against any data access by third parties.

Gambling regulator in Kenya

In Kenya, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) oversees all forms of gambling. This institution was established in 1966. Its vision is to be a world-class gaming regulatory agency.

The BCLB oversees the fair, responsible, and competitive operation of gambling in Kenya. Additionally, it makes sure that no criminal activity takes place in the gambling industry.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board operates under the following core values:

• Accountability
• Transparency
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Equity

As a gambling regulator, BCLB’s core functions are:

• Monitoring and examining gambling activities
• Presiding over public lotteries and prize competitions
• Checking gambling and lottery operations countrywide
• Approving arcade games and pool tables

Since its launch, the Betting Control and Licensing Board has granted licences to 100+ bookmakers. Additionally, 50+ casinos and over 10 public lottery operators hold licences from this Board.

If you have any complaints against any of the licensed casinos, don’t worry. In the interest of justice, BCLB established a committee to handle all gambling complaints submitted to the Board.

It’s worth mentioning that the Board issues a verdict within 30 working days. Filing a complaint is worth it despite the lengthy wait.

Submitting a complaint is pretty simple. These are the four alternatives:

• Enter the Boards office in Nairobi. It’s on the 8th floor of the Kenya Charity Sweepstakes (K.C.S.) building on Mama Ngina Street. You will be given a complaint form that you should fill out and sign.
• Send a letter of complaint to the director of BCLB (P.O. Box 43977-00100, Nairobi) via any courier service. This is a great option if you’re outside Nairobi or you’re unable to visit their offices.
• Call BCLB’s Complaints office at +254 111 021 400.
• You can also scan your complaint and send it to [email protected].

To launch a complaint, you’ll be required to submit the following:

• Personal information; Name, phone number (Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom), and your ID number
• The gambling operator you’re filing the complaint against
• Bet ID
• Time and date of the event
• Concise explanation of how the event happened
• Evidence of the event

The county governments

Notably, county governments may also regulate gambling in their respective counties. It’s the work of county governments to:

• Ensure licensing of gambling establishments within their counties
• Ensure gambling operators comply with the BCLB regulations
• Conduct periodic monitoring of gambling activities
• Create and implement local legislation on gambling, including sports betting
• Put policy norms and standards into practice

History of gambling in Kenya

Notably, Kenya was among the first nations in Africa to legalise gambling. In 1952, the colonial government passed the Gambling Ordinance Law.

It also instituted the Kenyan gambling tax in 1963. During this time, there were proposals to legalise all types of gambling. This led to the instituting of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act in 1966.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) was established under the Act. Its primary function was to oversee and authorise all gambling-related activities in Kenya.

Since its inception, the BCLB has granted licences to over 50 casino operators. Most of them are land-based casinos.

The legality of gambling in Kenya has seen a vast population of youth get into betting. Kenya has the 3rd largest gambling market in Africa. However, it is home to the greatest number of young gamblers on the continent.

The rising number of youths engaging in gambling has been worrying. Most of them gamble at unregulated establishments.

There have been several attempts to control illegal gambling in Kenya. Dr. Fred Matiang’i, a former cabinet secretary, ordered a crackdown that saw hundreds of slot machines get burned.

In 2020, the government of Kenya deported 14 foreign nationals. They were flown back to Europe for engaging in illegal gambling in Kenya.

Since 2018, the number of illegal gambling operators deported has surpassed 100. Apparently, the government is relentless in stopping illegal gambling.

Generally, gambling in Kenya is here to stay. There are no signs of abolishing sports and casino betting in the country.

Land-based gambling in Kenya

The Betting Control and Licensing Board has licensed 57 casinos to operate. Out of these, about 42 are land-based. You’ll find most of them in Mombasa and Nairobi.

Some major cities like Eldoret and Kisumu have one licensed casino each. Unfortunately, there are no licensed casinos in Nakuru.

Kenyan casinos might not be as large and impressive as those in Macau or Las Vegas. Many still provide excellent game selections and first-rate amenities, though.

The table below shows the top physical casinos in Kenya:

Most land-based casinos in Kenya are open from 12 PM to 5 AM. Notably, you can’t enter any Kenyan casino if you’re below 18 years old.

Before setting up a brick-and-mortar casino in Kenya, the owner should pay:

• A non-refundable application fee of Ksh.1 million
• A licence fee grant of Ksh.3 million
• A non-refundable local director investigation fee of Ksh.250,000
• A non-refundable foreign director investigation fee of Ksh.350,000

Closing Thoughts

Several websites allow Kenyans to gamble online. Unfortunately, only a handful of them are of the greatest calibre. Although this is bad news, it shows that Kenya has honest and legitimate online casinos.

While some casinos are headquartered in the nation, others are based abroad. The good news is that you can play at offshore sites. No gambling law in Kenya forbids Kenyans from accessing these sites.

Although the government doesn’t prohibit playing at offshore sites, go for licensed ones. This will save you a regrettable online experience.

There’s a rising number of shady Kenyan online casinos. That’s why we came up with a list of top Kenyan online casinos. This will save you time and the likelihood of bumping into a bogus site.

The best online casinos for Kenyan players have a lot to offer. You’ll find many games including slots and table games.
Additionally, massive bonuses are awaiting you at these casinos. Their wagering requirements are favourable. So, there’ll be minimal sweating before you can cash out your winnings.

The best online casinos in Kenya also support several payment options. The best ones include mobile wallets, such as M-Pesa and Airtel Money. You can also use Neteller, Skrill, or Bitcoin.

In a nutshell, the best Kenyan casinos feature everything a good casino should have. If online casinos are legal in Kenya, why not join now? Happy gambling!