In Kenya, the two words “casino” and “betting site” are used interchangeably. From what we understand, they all refer to an online website where you can bet on sports events such as football or on crash games such as Aviator.
However, technically, they’re two different things. A betting site is primarily focused on sports events, allowing you to wager on matches, tournaments, or leagues, whereas an online casino offers a wider range of games including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer games.
In fact, the BCLB (Betting Control and Licensing Board) issues two kinds of licenses under Kenyan law. Betting sites fall under the category of bookmakers, focusing primarily on sports betting, pool betting schemes, and totalizators. Online casinos, on the other hand, fall under Public Gaming. Public gaming refers to casino operations and activities, including slot machines, table games such as poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and other authorized wagering games.
For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to use these terms interchangeably as almost all Kenyan betting sites have a casino license too. For those in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of the Kenyan Online Casinos that support M-pesa:
Top 8 M-Pesa Casinos in Kenya
| Betting site | Mpesa | Welcome bonus |
| BC.Game | Mpesa | 500% first 4 deposits |
| Dafabet | Mpesa | 50% first deposit up to KES 1,000 |
| 1XBet | Mpesa, Airtel | Up to KES 190,000 + 150 free spins (first 4 deposits) |
| 22Bet | Mpesa, Airtel | 100% up to KES 19,000 |
| Megapari | Mpesa, Airtel | Up to KES 16,986 |
| Helabet | Mpesa, Airtel | 100% up to KES 10,000 |
| Mozzartbet | Mpesa | 20% deposit free bet up to KES 5,000 |
| Paripesa | Mpesa, Airtel | 100% up to KES 11,800 |
| ChezaCash | Mpesa | 50% up to KES 2,700 |
Why M-Pesa works best for us
Whenever I’m trying out a new casino, the first thing I look at is whether it supports M-Pesa. And in Kenya, this is a huge deal. M-Pesa has become the go-to payment method for online casinos and betting sites because it’s fast, reliable, and universally accessible. Kenyans love casinos with M-Pesa because deposits and withdrawals happen almost instantly, making the whole experience seamless and worry-free.
The convenience is great. You don’t have to wait for bank transfers or deal with complicated international payment systems. Everything is done in seconds, directly from your mobile phone.
There are two main ways to deposit using M-Pesa:
- The traditional Paybill method – This works through the usual USSD code (*234#), the M-Pesa app, or your SIM toolkit menu. You select “Lipa na M-Pesa,” enter the casino’s Paybill number, your account number (usually your username or phone number registered with the casino), and the amount you want to deposit. Confirm with your PIN, and the funds appear instantly in your casino wallet.
- The prompted deposit method – This is even easier. On many modern betting sites, you simply enter the amount you want to deposit, select M-Pesa, and a prompt is sent to your phone. All you need to do is enter your PIN, and the transaction is complete. no typing Paybill numbers or account numbers.
Withdrawals are just as easy. Most Kenyan online casinos process M-Pesa withdrawals in minutes, allowing you to enjoy your winnings almost immediately without the delays. Again, Mpesa ganets are everywhere
How about Airtel Money?
Do we have Kenyan casinos that support this alternative payment mode? From the top of my head, yes there are Kenyan casinos that support this alternative as well. Some of the most popular ones include 22Bet, 1xBet, and Melbet. Just like with M-Pesa, deposits and withdrawals via Airtel Money are fast and straightforward.
Getting Used to M-Pesa Casinos
My guess is that you are looking to try out one of those slots in an online casino but you are not quite sure where to start. If you have never played a slot before, don’t worry. It is actually very simple and can be a lot of fun. Let’s go step by step so you can enjoy it without feeling confused.
Slots are games with spinning reels filled with symbols. Your goal is to line up matching symbols across what are called paylines to win prizes. Each slot has its own theme, special features, and sometimes even jackpots. There are slots for everything, from adventure and fantasy to sports and simple fruit machines.
For someone just starting out it is best to play in demo mode first. This is a practice mode where you can spin the reels and see how the game works without using real money. You can get used to the symbols, the paylines, and how bonus features work. Playing in demo mode gives you confidence before you make a real deposit.
GreenBet is a great place to start if you are a beginner. It supports M-Pesa deposits and withdrawals so you can fund your account and collect your winnings very quickly.
The site is easy to use and the games are simple to understand. You can try all the slots in demo mode and only switch to real money when you feel ready. GreenBet also has guides and customer support to help if you get stuck.
Once you feel ready to play for real you can make a deposit using M-Pesa. You can use the traditional Paybill method or the prompted deposit method. Both are fast and easy. Start with a small amount so you can get used to playing with real money without pressure.
After your deposit you can continue playing the slots you tried in demo mode or try new ones. Always check for bonus offers because many sites give free spins or extra credit on your first deposit. This is perfect for beginners because it gives you more chances to play and learn.
The key is to take your time and enjoy the experience. Practice in demo mode, start small with real money, and use M-Pesa for quick deposits and withdrawals.
