Have you ever tried to access a sports betting site only to find that the site is blocked or inactive?
This has been happening a lot over the last decade, creating some confusion amongst betters.
At the moment, Kenya has about 70 active betting sites, but that number keeps changing as more operators become inactive and new bookies launch.
Kenya has one of the fastest-growing sports betting markets anywhere in the world and therefore appeals greatly to betting companies around the globe.
Some of the numbers circulating in the betting industry are truly eye-watering, with the Kenya Revenue Authority reporting that it collected more than KSh. 5 billion in betting taxes alone in the 2024 – 2025 financial year.
While the industry continues to boom, the regulations have become tighter. The betting landscape in Kenya is overseen by the newly formed Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), previously the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). They are responsible for issuing and renewing licenses in the country and, in coordination with the Kenya Revenue Authority, ensuring that operators comply with local laws.
The Kenyan government has periodically launched crackdowns on unlicensed gambling operators, directing internet service providers to block access to certain betting websites. The authorities have also adopted other means to push illegal operators out of the country, one of which is to deny the company access to Kenya’s main payment gateway, MPesa. Without MPesa integration, the operator is unable to accept deposits and process withdrawals for millions of bettors, leaving it with no choice but to quietly exit the market.
And for companies operating legally, there is always the contentious issue of taxation.
Indeed, the stringent taxation system in Kenya has been a major factor in the closure of betting companies.
Kenyan authorities have been in a longstanding battle with betting operators for the better part of a decade, with the country seeking ways to combat the rising rate of sports betting, as well as maximize revenue received from the industry.
The tax laws have oscillated dramatically over the years as the government seeks to find a balance between controlling the sports betting rate and pulling in tax revenue. More often than not, the laws have been very unfavorable to the companies.
As a result, many betting companies have closed down their operations in Kenya, including big guns like Betway, Betin, betin and BetSafe. Some left on their own volition, while others have been tracked and evicted from the Kenyan market.
While the closure of betting companies is mainly due to Kenya’s regulation and tax policies, that is not the only reason.
The Kenyan betting landscape is very competitive. There are more than 100 companies licensed to operate in the country.
Hence, new betting sites often face a tough battle for market share especially if they launch without any clear unique selling point or marketing plan. The established order is very strong, with the likes of Betika and Odibets owning a sizable portion of the market. To break through this, new companies must offer quality service – preferably something a little bit different from what is already available – and be consistently aggressive with their advertising.
Being profitable as a new betting site in Kenya often requires significant marketing expenditure and time. Unfortunately, many companies have not had that luxury and have subsequently shut down their services.
Another reason a betting company may not work in Kenya is that the site may be geo-blocked by its owners.
Some betting companies deliberately block their sites from being accessible in countries where they don’t have an operating license. This is to ensure that they don’t fall foul of the regulations of those particular countries. For example, popular UK companies like Ladbrokes are not accessible in Kenya because they are geoblocked.
Some of these blocked sites may open with certain VPNs, but they are practically unusable due to the tough verification processes that exclude potential players who do not physically reside in countries where the site is legally permitted to operate.
Having said that, it is worth noting that some companies continue to accept Kenyan players despite not holding or operating licenses. The government has worked hard to track and block these companies, but many have managed to evade the radar.
Bettors have to take some responsibility and understand the risk of using unlicensed operators. Their services may be more attractive, particularly the fact that they do not remove excise and withholding tax from the customer’s money, but there are big risks associated with using these sites.
The fact that they have not bothered to obtain a Kenyan license already calls their trustworthiness into question, and there have been numerous cases of such sites failing to credit deposits and paying winnings. With the GRA now officially in force, a major task before them would be to shut down as many offshore bookmakers as possible.
Betting companies are blocked in Kenya mainly due to regulatory, tax, and safety concerns. While it may seem inconvenient at times, these measures are designed to protect users and ensure the industry operates fairly.
As the market continues to grow and the newly revamped Gambling Regulatory Authority kicks into gear, we can expect even stricter enforcement and clearer guidelines. For bettors, staying informed and choosing the right platforms is the best way to enjoy a safe and smooth betting experience.
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