BetLion hit the local news when they launched in style with a Kes 350 M Jackpot. This was back in 2018. It was surely destined to take over Sportpesa – this giant had a Kes 225 Million jackpot at that time. They had plans of giving Sportpesa and Betin a run for their money; only that they had it easier than anticipated. Spencer Oketch, BetLion’s managing director had opened shop in Uganda and they spread to the Kenyan market. This Pan African Company runs betting firms in 8 countries including Nigeria and Zambia. I find it amusing that it’s called Lionsbet over there while we refer to this bookie as BetLion. This bookie has it’s headquarters in Kenya. (The head offices are in Hurlingham for the curious 😉)
- both Airtel Money and M-Pesa as deposit and withdrawal options
- You can bet by SMS too
- super easy and fun registration process
- Fast cash out feature
- Cash back for 4 out of 5 correct picks
- They do not actually have a desktop version of the site
BetLion at a glance
BetLion is owned and operated by Owekitibwa Investments Limited, a company registered in Kenya. The company is licensed and regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya, which is responsible for overseeing all gambling activities in the country. In addition to its operations in Kenya, BetLion is licensed and regulated in Uganda by the National Gaming Board Uganda and in Tanzania by the Gaming Board of Tanzania.
This sportsbook is currently having events in all the popular sports.
Users are treated to a range of betting options, including pre-match betting, live betting, and virtual sports betting. BetLion also offers users the chance to bet on major international tournaments and events, such as the World Cup, the Olympics, and the Champions League. With competitive odds and an easy-to-use interface, BetLion has become a popular choice for sports bettors in Kenya and other African countries.
BetLion pros
They offer both Airtel Money and M-Pesa as deposit and withdrawal options
Here, you can deposit through their M-Pesa pay bill number 212 927 or their Airtel paybill number 136 680
You can bet by SMS too
Each game has a unique code (they call it the game ID)
Once your account is funded, you can place bets by sending an SMS with the details of your bet to the BetLion short code. The short code is usually 4041. The SMS should include the event code of the game you want to bet on, the type of bet you want to place, and the amount you want to bet. For example, to place a bet on a football match, you might send an SMS with the following format: BET#EventCode#BetType#Amount. Once you have sent the SMS, you will receive a confirmation message with the details of your bet and the amount deducted from your BetLion account.
SMS your prediction to 40418 in this SMS gameID#pick#amount
If I wanted to bet Kes 100 that the away team would win this game, I would SMS 09329#2#100 to 40418. Each SMS costs kes 2 (charged as airtime by your mobile operator) and you’ll receive an SMS confirming that your bet has been placed.
The super easy and fun registration process
Every new user is entitled to a Kes 20 free bet and the best part is that you get to use this free bet and create an account simultaneously in just one SMS. SMS gameID#pick#FB to 40418 and you will have placed a bet with the bonus as stake. You’ll receive an SMS with credentials you’ll use to login to the website and app. Innovative.
Fast cash out feature
You can either request for a full or partial cash out. Please note that this feature only works for games that BetLion is showcasing as in-play too. I use this cash-out feature all the time; especially on multi-bets. Let’s say that I have a running multi-bet slip with four picks. Three matches have ended in my favor and the final one is in-play but it’s not going as I anticipated. I’ll just cash out instead of risking it all.
Cash back for 4 out of 5 correct picks
This is why I love BetLion. If you lose by one game in multi bets of 5 and above games, you get your back as a bonus. They call it the “second chance free bet”. They’ll only refund up to Kes 1,000 though. Check out their site for the full terms & conditions.
BetLion Cons
They do not actually have a desktop version of the site
Some customers may prefer to use a desktop computer to place their bets, or may find it easier to navigate the website on a larger screen. Without a desktop version, these users may have to rely on the mobile app or mobile site, which may not be as convenient or user-friendly for them.
BetLion Overall review verdict
BetLion is my bookie of choice. I give them a 4.5 star because of the missing free sports livestream feature.
BetLion customer service
Customers can contact Bellion’s customer support team by email at support@betlion.com, or by phone at the number provided on the BetLion website or mobile app. BetLion also offers live chat support, which allows customers to chat directly with a customer support representative in real-time. The live chat feature is available on the BetLion website and mobile app, and is accessible from any device with an internet connection.
BetLion in Kenya: How do they operate?
BetLion is popular among bettors in Kenya for their competitive odds and generous promotions, which offer users the chance to win big payouts on their bets.
The BetLion Platform
The bookie’s platform is available on both mobile app and mobile site, and it offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to place bets and navigate through the different markets. BetLion also places a strong emphasis on responsible gambling, and has implemented a range of measures to promote responsible gambling, including self-exclusion and deposit limits. In addition to its sports betting offerings, BetLion also has a range of casino games available on its platform, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. These games are provided by some of the leading software providers in the industry, ensuring a high-quality gaming experience for users.
There’s an 8-game daily jackpot.
They call it the midweek jackpot. This week’s prize stands at Kes 15 Million. Bonuses are also given for 7 and 6 correct picks (capped at Kes 15 million max)
There’s a Piga Pena Virtual
BetLion Pig Pena Virtual is a virtual betting product offered by BetLion that allows users to bet on the outcome of virtual penalty shootouts. The game is similar to the popular arcade game, where users take turns to score penalties and save them as well. The game is available 24/7 and is accessible through the BetLion mobile app or mobile site. Users can place bets on the outcome of the shootout, which includes betting on the number of goals scored, the winner of the shootout, and the correct score. If you win, you get7.5x your stake
There’s a virtual league
The virtual league matches are computer-generated and use advanced algorithms to ensure that the results are fair and random. Each match is scheduled to take place at a specific time, and users can place bets on the winner, the correct score, and other betting markets. The BetLion Virtual League also offers users the chance to win big payouts, with competitive odds and a wide range of betting markets available. Additionally, the virtual league is easy to access through the BetLion mobile app or mobile site, and users can enjoy the same user-friendly interface and customer support as with other BetLion products.
Welcome Bonus and Promotions at BetLion
A free bet of upto Kes 1,000 is offered for first time depositors. The full terms & conditions can be found on their site.
BetLion also offer the second chance free bet refunds as mentioned before – you get your stake back if 1 selection in your 5+ multibet loses.
BetLion VIP CLUB
If you qualify to become a VIP, you’ll get 5% cash back for all the losses of the week. VIPS get slightly higher odds and their max stake limits are different too. Accounts are automatically upgraded to VIP once they meet the requirements. BetLion have hinted that they take consistency, loyalty, stake amounts and Deposits into consideration.
Loyalty Bonus
‘Once you place 5 bets each week, with the minimum odd being 2.0, you will get a free bet limited to Kes 500.
Quality of odds
Their odds are similar to those of other bookies. BetLion is charging the 20% withholding tax too on all stakes and you have to plan accordingly lest you end up in the red.
BetLion Betting limits
Kes 20 is the minimum stake you could bet with at BetLion. There’s no maximum staking limit but Kes 1 million is the maximum they’ll pay out on any slip. The Jackpot is exempted from this rue. Please note that Kes 300,000 is the maximum you could deposit on BetLion each day due to M-Pesa transaction limits.
BetLion Mobile Options
The BetLion app offers a user-friendly interface and allows users to access all of the features of the BetLion platform, including sports betting, virtual games, and live casino games. Users can also manage their accounts, deposit and withdraw funds, and contact customer support through the app. The BetLion mobile site is an alternative option for users who prefer not to download an app. The mobile site is optimized for mobile devices and offers a similar user experience to the mobile app, with access to all of the same features and betting options. Users can access the mobile site through their mobile web browser and log in with their BetLion account details.
I believe that BetLion is built on (the now defunct) the same platform as Betpawa. They have similar features, same limits and the same interface.
BetLion is owned by a company called “Gaming International (K) Limited”, which is a registered company in KenyaBetLion
i need free bet
Hi Virginia. All of these sites will give you a free bet even without making a deposit t.ly/uWwJG
How to cashout
Vipi John, ukitaka ku cash out, click hiyo bet utaona option ya ku cash out. Hauwezi cash out kama ume bet na bonus ama kama ni free bet. Mara mingi, zile game unaweza cash out ni zile zenye Betlion wanazionyesha kama live bet.