Kenyan Online Casinos

Gambling in Kenya

Gambling is fully legal in Kenya, thanks to regulations of the Betting Control and Licensing Board. This board was established through an Act of Parlament in 1966 and has, naturally, been through many renewals since then. Today, the board grants licenses to operators based in Kenya.

Gambling has had tremendous growth in Kenya in recent years, and the country today has the third-largest market for gambling in Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria. Sports betting is especially popular, closely followed by casino games. Both can be enjoyed both online and at land-based establishments throughout Kenya.

Landbased Casinos in Kenya

There are a total of 30 land-based casinos in Kenya. The majority of them (21) are located in Nairobi, but there are also some establishments in Malindi, Mombasa and other cities. This makes it possible to residents and visitors in Kenya to enjoy blackjack, roulette and other casino games in dedicated establishments. Many are connected to hotels or resorts and offer a few game tables/slot machines. The exterior might not look as grand as in Las Vegas, but nevertheless, a proper casino is waiting.

Online Casinos in Kenya

The online casino industry has grown immensely in Kenya in recent years. The Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya also grants licenses to online betting sites, but players might have a hard time finding a popular casino site holding a Kenyan license. Luckily, this is not necessary as it is also possible to gamble at sites based elsewhere, so-called “offshore casinos”.

Although these sites and companies are not based in Kenya, the operators might still accept Kenyan players. So as long as a casino site does not explicitly ban players from Kenya, it is perfectly fine to sign up at a site licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), United Kingdom (UKGC) or similar. The most important thing to check is that the site holds a valid license (as there are some untrustworthy scam sites out there). At the top of this page, you can find my top pick of offshore casinos accepting Kenyan players. They are all licensed, legal and safe.

Offshore-based online casinos give Kenyan players a lot of options to choose from. This is great, but there are also some drawbacks to keep in mind. The biggest of which is that the casino sites are often not adapted to the Kenyan market. This can for example mean that you won’t be able to pay in Kenyan Shillings (KES) and might face unfavourable currency conversions. This is the case for far from all casino sites, but nevertheless something to keep in mind.

Things to look for when choosing an online casino site:

1. If players from Kenya are allowed to register
2. If players from Kenya can opt-in for the welcome bonus (and what the bonus is)
3. The currencies and payment methods accepted
4. The games and betting markets offered
5. Customer support availability and contact methods

All casinos I recommend in this guide are legal for Kenyan players and offer good bonuses, games, customer support and payment methods.

Online Sports Betting in Kenya

The most popular form of gambling in Kenya is actually sports betting. This is the act of betting on the outcome of a sporting event, such as who will win a football match or how long a boxing fight will last. There are a lot of betting markets to choose from, and the emergence of online sports betting makes it a lot easier to bet whenever and at whatever you like.

Players in Kenya can bet on everything from local matches to global sporting events. If you are interested in sports betting, it is important to sign up at a gambling site that offers this. You can for example check out sites such as mr Green, Rizk and LeoVegas that offer both casino games and a sportsbook.

FAQ

In this guide, I have introduced you to gambling and online casinos in Kenya. To conclude, I will here answer some frequently asked questions related to the topic.

Is gambling legal in Kenya?

Yes, gambling is fully legal in Kenya. Kenyans (of legal age) can gamble at both land-based and online operators.

Who regulates the Kenyan gambling market?

The Kenyan gambling market is regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board.

What is the legal gambling age in Kenya?

The legal gambling age in Kenya is 18 for all activities (casino, sports betting, lottery etc).

Are there any land-based casinos in Kenya?

Yes, Kenya has a total of 30 land-based casinos across the country. Most of them are based in Nairobi, but there are also some in other cities.

Is it possible to gamble online with Kenyan shillings?

Yes, there are some online gambling sites that accept Kenyan shillings. But for the most part, players gambling at online casinos based offshore will have to choose another currency (such as euros or dollars).

Are there any taxes on gambling winnings?

Yes, Kenya has quite a high taxation on gambling winnings. Operators have to pay 20% taxes on winnings, and players also need to pay a revenue tax of 15%.

Are you ready to check out some of the safe and legal casino sites for yourself?
Then check my Kenya online casinos list at the top of this guide for the very best alternatives.

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