This page is focused on how to detect reputable casino sites, but we have also included sections about the most famous land-based resorts in the country. Although these establishments are fun, they pale in comparison when it comes to number of casino games available online.
The Top 5 Trusted Online Casinos in Kenya
We put a lot of effort into ensuring that our reviews are for safe online casinos. Any operator found on this page has passed our safety tests. Below you can see a list of the best online casinos in Kenya. Each of the following offers interesting bonuses for new members and other special features.
So, what makes the sites above top online casinos in Kenya? Firstly, they are all comparable when it comes to safety, trustworthiness and game selections. In addition, each of the operators above offer reputable service channels to help players in need. Just below, you can learn how we measure a casino’s quality.
All of the Kenyan online casinos listed above meet our security expectations, so customers at these operators are at no risk of scams. We have sorted them according to some of the most popular features expected by us and our readers, and they have scored great ratings in all categories of our test. However, if you are looking for something specific, then perhaps you need a more specialised platform, and the table below may help you find what you need.
Which Is the Best Kenya Casino Website?
When picking a casino Kenya residents can sign up to, you want to make sure that you are signing up to the best casino site. All of our recommended Kenya online casinos are fully licensed and safe to visit. We have broken down the best online casinos in Kenya by category for you below.
Best Online Casino for Kenya Players at a Glance – 2023‘s Test Winner
Although there are many different operators to choose from, we feel that the site below is best online casino in Kenya. Although, it may lack the enormous game selection of other operators we feel that, because it has a Kenyan gambling license, it is the safest and most trustworthy online casino for Kenyans.
If the promotion above appeals to you, you can click the link provided to be taken directly to the casino’s welcome offer and start playing for real money. Though we believe all the sites featured here are worth your time, this one really blew us away with its perks.
A Guide to the Best Casino Sites in Kenya
The chart below, as well as the following sections go into the specific aspects of an online casino site we look at when judging the quality and trustworthiness of an operator. Typically, a safe site needs to have the following six things. However, there are not many online operators with Kenyan gambling licences.
This is because most online casinos in Kenya are actually based overseas and not in the country. To look for a safe and secure gambling platform, I would look for the licences from the UK Gambling Commission, which has the strictest security and safety standards in the world.
Above are the six major ingredients of the top online casinos Kenya residents can use. Safety, however, is the most important thing. One of the biggest ways, in which to guarantee safety, is to adhere to the gambling laws of your country. Below, we look into the specific legal situation regarding Kenyan betting laws.
1. Safety and Scam Protection When Playing for Real Money
The sad truth is that the internet is filled with threats and scams. Before spending any real money, it is vital to ensure that the site you are at isn’t a scam, and that a site is secure. By secure, I mean that it should handle all sensitive data in a way that protects against data leaks.
The easiest way to guarantee any casino Kenya has to offer is legit, is to look for an operator’s licences and regulating authorities. Directly below, you can find a list of all the essential aspects of safe online casinos in Kenya.
To find out whether an operator is an example of a safe online casino, you should scroll to the bottom of an operator’s website. Here you’ll find necessary licensing and testing information. The simplest way to look at the specifics of a page’s security is to look for a padlock icon in the top corner of your browser’s address bar.
Because Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board doesn’t hand out many licences to foreign sites. Most of the best Kenyan casinos will be accredited by the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority, which are known for guaranteeing the best player safety standards available.
2. Secure Payments – Depositing and Withdrawing Safely
Kenyan online casinos offer an abundant selection of options for which to make a deposit or withdrawal. Most of the well-known international payment services can be used to make deposits and withdrawals at online betting sites. Big brand services are extremely safe, so you can rest easy knowing that your transactions are secure. Below, you can see a small selection of the most popular payment methods.
The payment options above, only represent examples of what you can find at the best online casinos in Kenya. Each operator decides for itself what payment services it is going to accept. In addition, what is allowed and what isn’t (fees, limits, bonus qualification, etc.) is also left up to the bidding of a gambling website.
For example, Neteller and Skrill deposits don’t qualify for welcome offers at certain sites. We will cover limits a little further down in this article.
2.1. Neteller: Recommended Payment Method
Once you find an operator that is perfect for your playing style, it is time to make a casino deposit. If you stick to the sites on this page, your casino deposits and withdrawals will most likely be protected by encryption technology. Although M-Pesa mobile payments are a popular payment option for many Kenyans, there are a few reasons you may want to try a different service.
The biggest drawback is that M-Pesa, is only accepted at online casinos that allow for payments in Kenyan currency. This means that it isn’t accepted at many sites. Our recommended method, with which to make transactions is Neteller. The following site is the best site that accepts Neteller payments.
Not every operator found on this page will accept Neteller transactions, but nearly all of the best off-shore sites permit Neteller payments. Betway, for example, allows Neteller transactions on its foreign sites, but the Kenyan version of the casino is limited to Airtel and M-Pesa banking options. Bear in mind Neteller often is excluded from welcome offers, so it may be a better option to make your first deposit using a different service.
2.2. Limits and Fees
This section is intended to give you a general idea of the different characteristics of each popular banking type. Typically, when it comes to deposits, online casinos are pretty accommodating. Deposits are usually instant and can be done using a wide array of channels.
Have a look below at the common limits and fees associated with the most popular payment methods. These figures are simply representative of averages, and don’t correspond do all sites.
Processing times depend on the method that you are using to complete a transaction. Bank transfer is commonly the slowest option out there due to banks’ internal processing times. For the quickest transactions I recommend using E-wallets, such as Neteller or Skrill. M-Pesa is another service that is useful for making swift deposits.
3. Reliable Customer Support Service
When it comes to your money, you are going to be happy that you took the time to find a site with reliable and trustworthy customer support. Although the good online casinos in Kenya work hard to keep their software running smoothly. Sometimes you’ll encounter technical difficulties.
That is why you should find a gambling or betting site that has a nice selection of quick support options. Be advised, that if you are using a foreign site the phoneline may be for an international number and thus result in long-distance charges.
4. Transparent and Fair Casino Bonus Terms for Kenyan Players
Don’t just look at the dollar amount when browsing for a casino bonus. Almost every casino welcome bonus will come with a long list of terms and conditions that must be adhered too when gaming. Below are the most important things to consider when evaluating a welcome promotion.
- Wagering Requirements – Always check how many times an offer must be bet, before winnings can be withdrawn
- Expiration Period – Most welcome offers come with a set time limit, in which wagering requirements must be fulfilled.
- Payment Methods Accepted – Not all payment types qualify players for a welcome promotion. Read the T&Cs to see if your method is accepted.
- Game Contribution – Typically, welcome offers are only useful for fans of slot games. Some casinos will allow for card game contributions.
Of all the sites that we tested, 22Bet probably offers one of the more attractive welcome promotions to Kenyan users. Below you can see the important information regarding the offer. The listed info will answer the four important things listed above.
5. Rich Casino Games Selection
One way to ensure the site, at which you are playing is a safe online casino, is to see if the casino carries games from the industry’s most respected game developers including but not limited to: Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, et al.
Software developers are held to strict fairness standards, and their games are periodically tested to guarantee that they payout as advertised. Whether you like slots, roulette or blackjack gambling sites in Kenya have got you covered.
The best game selection for Kenyans can be found at 22Bet. The company is a known and trusted brand around the globe and offers hundreds of choices of high-quality casino entertainment. The games at Mozzart are suitable for all types of players due to a wide range of table and bet limits.
6. Stable Software Compatible with All Devices
It is now easier than ever to game on the go. A few years ago, the computer allowed us to play from home. Today, smartphones have liberated us from our desk chairs by giving us access to the internet almost anywhere. All of my top recommended Kenya online casinos are 100% mobile-compatible.
There is no need to download any app. Simply visit a casino site from your smartphone or a tablet and you will go directly to the mobile version of an operator’s website. Games will run as smoothly on mobile devices as they do at desktop sites (as long as internet speed allows).
What You Need to Know to Play Legally in Kenya
Although gambling is a worldwide industry, it does not mean that every country takes a positive stance towards the activity. Everywhere you go, you’ll come into contact with different gambling laws and restrictions. Some territories allow some game-types while restricting others and other nations have gone as far to ban all forms of gambling.
You may be wondering if gambling is legal in Kenya. The next sections of this page will look at gambling in Kenya specifically. You’ll be happy to know that gambling is a legal and popular activity in Kenya.
Gambling Laws and Authorities in Kenya
All forms of gambling are legal in Kenya. Players, however, must be 18+ to play. The official Kenyan governing body is the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya, which was officially established by an Act of Parliament Chapter 131 (1966).
The Board grands licences to operators and regulates the services that they provide. Nevertheless, you’ll have a difficult time finding popular casino sites that hold a licence from the Betting Control and Licensing Board. Betway is one foreign site that does hold a licence from Kenya’s Board.
The Kenyan Licensing Board’s website is extremely outdated, so was not possible for us to find the specific steps an operator needs to take in order to obtain a licence from the board. However, typically a casino company will have to prove that they have the financial capabilities to operator a casino, without putting customers at risk. In addition, they must submit to local industry taxation regulations, which will be discussed in the next section.
Gambling Taxation – Do You Owe Taxes After a Win?
All the rhetoric about player protection aside, one of the main reasons governments regulate the gambling industry, is to tap into an extremely lucrative revenue stream. Because most online casinos are based abroad, governments rely on taxes to generate money from gambling. In early 2018, Kenyan leadership announced a Bill that would introduce a new 35% tax on gambling operators’ revenue.
Of course, betting operators, who had recently enjoyed a tax rate of 7.5% protested the decision. It was later announced operators are to hold onto 20% of gamblers winnings for tax purposes, and the revenue taxes were reduced to 15%. The Treasury of Kenya took the measure as a way to discourage gambling after studies suggested that some gamblers viewed betting as a way to make money rather than a leisure activity.
Without a doubt, Kenya’s 35% tax is one of the highest in the region. That being said, many African countries tax the industry in a way to benefit from businesses, that many feel don’t have the interests of Africans at heart. South Africa charges a 9.6% tax, Rwanda a 13% tax, and Uganda charges 20% (although the country recently announced plans to ban all forms of betting).
Germany, Las Vegas and Canada set their tax rates at five, six and twenty percent respectively. Some critics of Kenya’s taxes feel that the high rate will discourage telecom and media companies from investing in the country, as many of these types of industries rely on ad money spent by gambling firms.
Most Important Legal Texts
Perhaps the most important legal text related to gambling is the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, Chapter 131. The Act was first introduced in 1966 but has since been characterised by continuous updates that respond to developments in the gambling industry.
Below you can see an excerpt from this act, which was responsible for establishing the Betting Control and Licensing Board and establishes the various punishments and definitions of legal and illegal gambling activities for Kenya. The image comes from the updated 2018 version of the Act.
What Might the Future Hold
It doesn’t appear that any major changes to Kenyan gambling laws are imminent. The one thing that is certain, however, is a new understanding about how gambling is affecting the country’s citizens. Gambling is a multi-million-dollar business, which unfortunately has its darker sides. Although many people gamble responsibly, a significant number of Kenyans do have a problematic relationship to the activity.
It is the allure of betting, that encouraged the government to implement the 20% tax on gambling winnings in hopes that it would remove some of the polish of betting. Casinos and other betting sites raised revenue comparable to half of Kenya’s annual health budget. For this reason, the lucrative industry is probably here to stay.
Comparison with Other Markets
Kenya is similar to many other African gambling markets. Betting exists almost exclusively in the form of sports betting, specifically wagers placed on the Premier League in England. Like Kenya, many countries are attracted to the potential sums of money that the industry generates, but the local market is still dominated by foreign companies, at least when it comes to the online casinos that accept Kenyan players.
As a result, most Africans are forced to play at casinos with currencies that aren’t their own. Some operators like Betway, have worked to establish user experiences tailored to the needs of specific regions, but this is not the norm.
Curious Facts About the Market
Perhaps the most concerning thing we discovered when researching the Kenyan gambling market, is how the market seems to be impacting the lives of young players. Kenya has the highest number of young people (17-35) who gamble frequently, and a study in 2016 estimated that over 70% of university students are problem gamblers. However, most of this problem is rooted in easy-access sportsbooks. It is estimated that 67% of college age Kenyans bet on sports.
Gambling Statistics
All trends suggest that gambling in Kenya is on the rise. Many researchers point towards the rapid growth of sports betting as evidence of the fact. Because the country has set its legal gambling age at 18 years, Kenya has the largest number of gamblers in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is the third-largest gambling market in the continent, sitting just behind South Africa and Nigeria. Kenya recently earned over 1billion shillings due to betting. Sports betting dominates the market, but there are still a decent number of players who wager on casino games. In 2014, the money generated by casinos rose by 6.9%.
Most of the information available out there highlights the negative aspects of betting in Kenya, and for good reason. Most of the studies we found highlighted the social impacts of wagering but did not discuss the economic developments that have resulted from the boom in the gambling market.
Trends suggest that the industry is going to grow for the foreseeable future, but we cannot predict whether this growth will positively impact the country’s economic sector or spiral out of control. The government will definitely need to look into curbing the worrying trend of underage gambling in Kenya.
Gambling Resorts
Although online gambling is threatening to encroach on the nice little segment of the economy that the casino industry has carved for itself, the land-based casino industry is still quite profitable in Kenya. Land-based gambling establishments play a significant role in the country’s tourism industry.
Typically, casinos are affiliated with resort complexes, and seek to capitalise on international tourists. As a result, most casino resorts are found in Mombasa and Nairobi. Tourism, however, has seen a recent dip due to unfortunate terror events.
Mayfair Casino & Club Nairobi
The Mayfair Casino in Nairobi is one of the jewels on the crown of the Mayfair Group, which operates numerous gambling locations throughout eastern Africa, in addition to four other Mayfair branded resorts in Nairobi, Malindi and two in Kampala.
The beautifully ornamented gaming room boasts six card tables, six roulette tables and sixty slot and video machines. In addition, the resort features a privé for high rollers. In the room, you’ll find two card tables and a roulette table. Similar to Las Vegas, drinks and food are complimentary for all players.
The casino has different hours of operation depending on the game you wish the play. For example, video and slot machines open at midday every day. If you want to play table games, you’ll need to visit the casino from 1 p.m. – 3 a.m. on weekdays or 2 p.m. – 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
If you like the Mayfair product, you may also visit the RKL casino, which is also located in Nairobi. The casino offers a few more tables, but the games are roughly the same at both locations.
Casino FlaminGO
Casino FlaminGO is another staple of Nairobi’s gambling scene. There are many reasons to visit FlaminGO. The Senator Group runs the casino and ensures safe transactions and fast reliable payouts. The game room floor has an excellent selection of casino games including card games like blackjack, roulette, poker and electronic roulette.
In addition, players will find over 100 slot games from leading developers, such as Novomatic. The Flamingo Casino is definitely the best place in Kenya for land-based slot gaming.
The FlaminGO is fully licenced by the Kenyan Betting Control and Licensing Board. This guarantees player safety and protection. Although many offshore sites are immensely safe, they often only take into account the protection of the players in their home countries.
Without a Kenyan gambling licence, there is no guarantee of player protection. If you don’t know whether a casino, at which you are playing holds one of these licences, it is best to contact the Board directly.
Famous Kenyan Gamblers
We searched high and low for any info pertaining to famous gamblers and Kenya but came up short. When someone things of notable players, the first thing that comes to mind are figures, such as Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey. Both of these icons are poker players.
Because the most popular gambling activity in Kenya is sports betting, it is understandable that the country isn’t known for producing world class poker talents. Sports betting is an individualized activity. As a result, punters don’t usually gain notoriety outside of their friend groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
We use our huge experience in the gambling industry to bring you advice and recommendations about the best online casinos in Kenya. Of course, it’s natural that you may have additional questions. Take a look at the FAQs below: we have compiled more information about online Kenyan casinos there, so your answer may already be waiting for you.
1️⃣ Which is the best online casino in Kenya?
Though we feel that the sites featured on this page all represent the absolute best that Kenya has to offer, we believe that Betway is the best online casino in Kenya overall.
2️⃣ Is online gambling legal in Kenya?
Yes, online casinos are legal in Kenya. To learn more about Kenya’s gambling laws, we recommend that you read our guide to legal gambling.
3️⃣ Which are the safest online casinos for Kenyan players?
We ensure that all of our recommended online casinos Kenya players can sign up to, meet our basic safety standards. This means that every operator must be licensed and utilise encryption software on its website.
4️⃣ Which is the best slots site in Kenya?
Out of all the casino games available at gambling sites in Kenya, slots are by far the most popular. In our Kenya review, we break down the online casinos Kenya players can visit by category including the best Kenya slots casino.
5️⃣ Are online casinos legal in Kenya?
Yes, online casinos are legal in Kenya. Before you visit a casino Kenya players can visit, it’s worth making sure that it is fully licensed. In our guide, we go through the various laws and legalities of online casinos in Kenya.
6️⃣ What is the main online gambling authority for Kenyan players?
The main gambling authority is the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya. This authority handles all legal matters in the country, from licensing and taxation to the authorization of both onlie casinos and brick-and-mortar gambling resorts.
7️⃣ Which Kenyan online casino comes with the best bonus offer?
Which online casino in Kenya offers the best bonus often comes down to personal choice, as every Kenya casino bonus is different which means some bonuses meet a certain player’s needs more than others.
8️⃣ Which online casino in Kenya offers the most games?
Many of our recommended online casinos Kenya players can visit offer over 1,000+ games for players to choose from. If you read the games section you can see the best gambling sites in Kenya for every casino game type.
9️⃣ Do all Kenyan casino sites take PayPal?
Unfortunately, not many online casinos in Kenya accept PayPal.However, you may benefit from using Neteller as an alternative. Check out our recommended Neteller casino in the Kenya payments overview.
🔟 Do all Kenyan online casinos accept many payment methods?
Absolutely, online casinos in Kenya accept many different payment methods. In fact, you can read our overview of the available payment methods in our Kenya online casinos page.
Top Offer for Playing Real Money Games in Kenya
Although there are many different operators to choose from, we feel that the site below is best online casino in Kenya. Although, it may lack the enormous game selection of other operators we feel that, because it has a Kenyan gambling licence, it is the safest and most trustworthy online casino for Kenyans.