If you’ve ever spent time listening to the radio in Kenya there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of Shabiki. Shabiki started up around 2017-2018 when 22bet was popular and quickly carved out a niche in the local betting scene by doing something that just makes sense – focusing on creating a lightning fast mobile experience that would work just fine even on a pretty basic smartphone.
While other betting apps come across as heavy and cluttered, Shabiki took the opposite approach. The app is tiny, loads super quick and has been built with just regular guys who like placing a quick bet during a match in mind. If you like to be able to place a bet on the go or check the jackpot without any fuss the Shabiki app is designed to make it as seamless as possible.
About the Shabiki App
One of the first things most people pick up on with the Shabiki app is just how fast it is. That Android APK is only around 2.4MB for crying out loud, which is crazy small especially when you compare it to most other betting apps out there. And that small size is actually a big part of the reason the app runs so smoothly – it loads in a heartbeat, doesn’t guzzle your data and still works just fine on even the older Android phones.
Visually the app goes for a bold orange-on-navy color scheme that really packs a punch – its simple but it definitely gets the job done. The interface is clean and uncluttered with clearly labeled bits and bobs that make navigation a doddle. You see tabs for Sports, Live Now, Jackpots and Casino right off the bat, so you don’t need to go rooting around trying to find what you need.
Another thing worth mentioning is just how user-friendly the layout is. The buttons are big enough to tap quickly, the matches are well organised by league and country and the bet slip is easy to get to at any time. If you find yourself placing bets at 2 in the morning while watching a European football match the darker design is a nice touch too – it saves a fair bit of battery.
Shabiki is operated by Grey Holdings Ltd and is licenced by Kenyas Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) – so its all above board. The same rule that applies to any betting platform in Kenya obviously is that you need to be 18 or over to sign up for an account.
Downloading the Shabiki App
Getting the Shabiki app is pretty simple, but the process does vary a bit depending on whether you use an Android or an iPhone.
For Android users, you wont be able to find the app in the Google Play Store. Instead you have to download it directly from the Shabiki website. This is how it often is with betting apps in Kenya – some of them just dont get listed.
First off, fire up your phone’s browser and head over to the Shabiki website. You then just need to click on the Download App button there and the APK file will start downloading instantly. Once it has finished downloading, go to the file and if your phone is bothering you to allow installation from unknown sources, then you’ll need to switch that on. After that it’s just a case of tapping Install, and you’re good to go.
The whole thing usually takes just a minute or so to do because the file is tiny.
On the other hand, if you’re an iPhone user then things are a bit different. Shabiki currently don’t have a native iOS app in the App Store, so instead you access the platform via the mobile website, which is fully optimised and pretty much works the same as an app.
Lots of users just create the website into a shortcut on their home screen, which makes it behave just like a regular app icon.
Why the Shabiki App Stands Out
One of the things that really makes Shabiki stand out from the crowd of other betting apps is its focus on jackpots. While other apps might do a lot of flashy promotions and plaster the screen with loads of pop ups, Shabiki prefers to keep things pretty low key and puts all the excitement into jackpot games.
In fact, Shabiki is particularly good at getting jackpot betting into loads of different events. Which means that even when you’re just looking at a normal bet slip, its possible that you could be in for a bigger prize because some kind of promotion is running.
Generally you’ll see three main jackpots on the platform:
- Daily Jackpot
- Power13 Jackpot
- Mbao Jackpot
One thing worth noting is that the entry cost is really low. For example the Mbao Jackpot often just costs KSh 20 to get in, but the prizes can be in the millions if you get all your predictions right.
For a lot of players, this is the main attraction of the Shabiki app – the chance of a big payout without having to stake huge amounts.
And for new players, there is also a 100% welcome bonus up to KSh 2,500 on your first deposit. This works exactly the same whether you’re using the app or the website.
Getting Started with Shabiki App
Signing onto the Shabiki app is a piece of cake and can be done in under a minute.
First things first, open up the app and take a gander at the top of the screen for the Join Now or Register button. Give it a tap, and a quick form will pop up asking for your Safaricom mobile number and a simple six-digit password.
Enter those details and send off the form, and you’ll be receiving a one-time verification code via SMS in no time. Just pop that code into the app and your account will be good to go straight away.
Once you’ve got your account verified, you can chuck some cash in and start betting – it’s that easy.
To sum it up, the whole process is super straightforward: just your phone number, a password, and a quick verification code – and you’re ready to get started.
Features
The Shabiki app’s got a whole load of betting features covering the lot from sports to casino games.
One of the big draws is the Live Betting section, which lets you place bets on matches that are already in progress – the odds are updated in real time, so you can see how things are unfolding. Plus, you’ve also got the option to cash-out on certain bets, so you can secure some winnings early or limit a loss if the game takes a turn for the worse.
Their sportsbook covers a massive range of sports, from football and basketball to tennis, rugby, cricket, and yes, even eSports. You can browse through all the major leagues, and it’s dead easy to switch between them using the search or menu system.
And then there are the jackpots – these are basically where you try to predict the outcome of multiple matches, with some serious prize pools on offer. Even if you don’t get every prediction spot on, there’s usually some smaller consolation prizes for getting a fair few right.
The casino section’s another big part of the platform, with thousands of games to choose from. You can play slots, table games, or live dealer games like Roulette and Blackjack. And then there’s the Aviator crash game, which is basically where you try to cash out before the multiplier crashes – a lot of people love this one.
The good news is that everything’s been set up to work smoothly with the app’s interface, so switching between sports betting, jackpots and casino games feels like a breeze.
How to Bet with the Shabiki App
Placing a bet on the Shabiki app is a piece of cake once you get the hang of it.
After logging in and getting some cash in your account, you’re good to go. Head over to the Sports section and pick the sport you want to put your money on – most folk go for the football. From there, you can browse through leagues, matches, and betting markets.
When you find a match that catches your eye, tap on it to see what kind of bets you can place. You’ll probably find the usual suspects – 1X2, Over/Under, Both Teams to Score, and Correct Score.
Once you tap on the odds you like, the selection gets added to your bet slip. You can keep going and add more selections if you’re building a multi-bet. As it turns out, the app lets you chuck up to 30 selections in a single bet slip.
After finalising your picks, open up the bet slip, figure out how much you want to stake, and give it the Place Bet treatment. If the odds have changed while you’ve been setting up the bet, the app will give you the heads up and ask you to confirm the new odds before it lets you place it.
Once your bet is in, you can keep an eye on everything from the My Bets section.
Loading a Promo Code
Occasionally you might get a promo code from a mate or someone else who’s into betting. Shabiki lets you load that code straight into your bet slip.
To do this, log in to the app and head to the bet slip. Look for the bit that says Enter Booking Code or Share Bet Code. Enter the code and tap on Load. The app will then import all the selections and current odds into your slip for you.
From there, you can tweak the bet if you want or just chuck in the stake and place it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play Aviator on the Shabiki App?
Just pop open the app, go into the casino section, pick Aviator and place your bet before the round starts. Then, you need to cash out before the plane flies off into the sky to secure your winnings.
Is the Shabiki App APK Safe to Download?
Provided you get it from the official Shabiki website, yes it is – the only thing to watch out for is the usual permissions bit during installation.
How do I Install the Shabiki App?
Pop open the APK file, let it install if your device asks for permission to install from an unknown source, and then tap on Install. The app will then show up on your home screen.
Read also Best betting apps in Kenya
I’m Kanyi Muturi and am from Tabuga, a small village in Nakuru. I have been following all sports since I was a kid and have been interested in the gambling side of sports since I was in high school. It took me a little while to get a grasp on all of the different gambling terminology and understand how confusing and complicated it can all seem when you first start.
Are you a professional gambler?
I am a successful gambler. But make no mistake about it: I’m a long-time recreational sports bettor. I’m not a professional gambler. I’m not claiming to be a professional gambler. I’ve never, to my recollection, even been acquainted with a professional gambler. And far be it from me to make the preposterous claim that following my advice will turn you into a professional gambler. It ain’t about that. Not here it ain’t. I just want to teach you a new form of recreation, a fun new pastime in what can sometimes be an unfun life.
