- Well-known brand in Kenya with strong local presence.
- Wide sports coverage, including live betting and virtuals.
- Supports M-Pesa and Airtel Money for easy payments.
- Simple interface that’s easy to navigate on both web and mobile.
- No tax refunds on deposits or withdrawals.
- Site can be slow, especially during peak hours.
- App hangs or crashes on older phones.
- No bonuses or promos compared to other sites.
Ever wondered why the SportPesa “Mega Jackpot 17” is everyone’s favourite? From the first glance, SportPesa Kenya stands out for offering one of the biggest jackpots in the Kenyan market, regularly climbing into the tens of millions of shillings for just a modest stake. More than just the size of the prize, many players highlight how SportPesa has built a strong reputation for paying winners reliably, which gives it a trust-premium in a sector where payouts and delays can tip credibility in an instant.
First impression
When you land on the SportPesa Kenya site and app you are greeted with bold jackpot banners, high-profile sports-sponsorship visuals, and a brand that has invested heavily in making itself visible. The interface is clean and mobile-friendly (critical in Kenya’s mobile dominated ecosystem). The marketing emphasises “win big”, “bet smart”, and the ‘big jackpot’ angle. For many punters the lure isn’t just that you could win it’s that people actually do win and get paid, and that consistency supports the first-impression trust.
Licensing, Origins, ownership and history
SportPesa is licensed to operate in Kenya under number 0000448 issued by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) for the 2022/23 period. The brand previously experienced regulatory upheaval for example its licence was suspended in 2019 in the wake of tax and regulatory disputes. It returned under a new operating company in October 2020.
SportPesa was founded in Nairobi in 2014, becoming one of the first digital-sports-betting companies in Kenya, and introducing mobile/SMS based betting for many Kenyans without conventional internet access.
The principal shareholders include a mix of Kenyan, Bulgarian and American investors. For example:
- Bulgarian businessman Guerassim Nikolov holds about a 21 % stake.
- American businessman Gene Grand holds about 21 %.
- Kenyan businesswoman Asenath Wachera Maina holds about 21 %.
- Kenyan businessman Paul Wanderi Ndung’u holds about 17 %.
- Kenyan pilot-turned-executive Ronald Karauri is the CEO of SportPesa Kenya and has a smaller shareholding (variously reported as ~6% or 7%). He’s currently an MP
In its early years the firm was highly profitable. Under previous ownership (via Pevans East Africa) it reported net profits of KSh 12.9 billion over its first five years (2014-2018).
However it also ran into regulatory troubles: heavy tax claims, licence suspension and ultimately a relaunch under a different operating entity. This was the time Odibets gained popularity.
Sportpesa Registration and login
The registration process at SportPesa Kenya is straightforward and geared for speed. According to their own site you are invited to “Open an account in less than 2 minutes.”
Steps
- Visit the official Kenyan site and click the blue “Register” button at the top right of the screen.
- Enter your mobile phone number and create a password. The registration form emphasises “Mobile phone number” and “Password.”
- Tick the box confirming you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, that you are over 18 years old, and that all information is true.
- Submit the form. Upon submission you may need to verify your account via SMS before gaining full access.
- You may also receive a code or message confirming your successful registration.
Once the account is registered, logging back in is equally straightforward.
- Go to the SportPesa Kenya homepage and click the “Login” button.
- Enter your registered mobile phone number and password.
- Click “Login.” If your details are correct, you’ll be taken directly to your account dashboard.
- If you forget your password, click the “Forgot your password?” link to request a reset via SMS.
Promos
Believe it or not, this might be the only major Kenyan sportsbook at the moment where you join, load your account and begin placing bets without ever being promised a welcome bonus. That platform is SportPesa Kenya.
If your priority is simplicity, an established brand and the basic essentials (licensed operator, M-Pesa payment, wide football coverage), then SportPesa Kenya is a credible choice. However, if you’re motivated by joining offers, bonuses or welcome promos, then you might feel under-served since they don’t currently offer strong promotional value for new sportsbook players, and I don’t ever remember them having any. Maybe they had a kes 100 Karibu bonus back in 2015 though.
If you’re looking for a tax free betting site that does provide a substantial promotional offer for new players, then check out BC Game. They offer a n 80% deposit of up to more than 100,000 KES
Payment Methods
Deposits can be made easily through M-Pesa using the PayBill numbers 955100 or 5212121, or through Airtel Money for users on that network. Once you’ve registered, you simply go to your mobile money menu, select “Lipa na M-Pesa,” and enter the PayBill number with your registered phone number as the account number. The funds reflect instantly in your SportPesa account. There’s also a convenient USSD option by dialing *790# and selecting “Deposit,” which works well for users without smartphones or stable internet access.
Withdrawals are just as simple and rely on mobile money as well. You can initiate a withdrawal directly through the SportPesa website by logging in and selecting the “Withdraw” option. Alternatively, you can use SMS by sending “W#amount” to 79079, for example, “W#1200” to withdraw KSh 1,200. Withdrawals are processed back to the same mobile number used for deposits, maintaining security and compliance. The terms also mention that funds must be withdrawn to the same payment account used for deposits and that some verification checks may apply, especially for larger transactions.
Sportpesa Betting Options
Their mega jackpot pro 17.
Daily jackpot sites in Kenya
The Mega Jackpot Pro from SportPesa Kenya is built around a core of 17 pre-selected football matches (typically Sat and Sun fixtures). What sets this product apart is that you aren’t obliged to pick all 17 games if you don’t wish to; instead, you can choose to play in one of several “brackets” depending on how many games you feel confident about. In other words, you can select:
- 13 games out of the 17 (13/17)
- 14 games out of 17 (14/17)
- 15 games out of 17 (15/17)
- 16 games out of 17 (16/17)
- Or go full-scale and pick all 17 games (17/17)
This structure means you can opt for a lower barrier of predictions (e.g., 13 correct instead of 17) and still take part in the jackpot scheme. The smaller the number of games you attempt, the lower the jackpot prize but the more “accessible” the challenge becomes.
For each Mega Jackpot Pro ticket you place, the default stake is KSh 99. Whether you pick 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 games, the base cost remains KSh 99 per single entry. If you choose to use multiple combinations (doubles/triples), the total cost increases (because you essentially place multiple bets). For example:
With a “double” combination (two possible outcomes on a given game) one ticket becomes two bets, so stake = 2 × KSh 99 = KSh 198, etc.
Each of the bracket categories (13/13, 14/14, 15/15, 16/16, 17/17) has its own jackpot prize level but it’s generally above Kes 100M.
Besides the top-tier jackpot for perfectly matching the number of games in your chosen bracket, there are “bonus” rewards for getting near-misses (i.e., a high number of correct selections even if not all). For example: if you select 17/17 you might still be eligible for a bonus with 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 correct predictions.
Sports Betting, Aviator, Virtuals and Lucky Numbers
The main sportsbook remains the core attraction, with football clearly taking center stage, reflecting the passion of most Kenyan bettors. Beyond football, the platform also includes a variety of other sports such as basketball, tennis, rugby, cricket, golf, and more. Live betting is fully supported, allowing users to place bets as matches unfold, which enhances the excitement and engagement. The odds are competitive, and the platform’s integration with M-Pesa and other mobile payment options makes transactions seamless for local users.
SportPesa has also expanded into interactive casino-style offerings, the most notable being Aviator. This crash-style game has become one of the platform’s signature features, combining quick gameplay with a live chat function where players can interact as they play. The fast-paced nature of Aviator offers an entertaining alternative to traditional sports betting and even includes occasional in-game promotions, such as “Aviator Rain,” where free bets are distributed during live sessions.
Their Virtual sports simulate real matches and races using computer-generated outcomes, allowing bettors to place wagers even when no live sports are available. The lucky numbers section functions similarly to a digital lottery, giving users the chance to bet on number draws.
Sportpesa App
The SportPesa Kenya mobile app is built for everyday bettors who prefer using their phones to place quick bets. It’s available on both Android and iOS, and it’s designed with the Kenyan market in mind. The interface is clean, simple to navigate, and works well for pre-match betting. You can easily find games, place bets, and check results without much hassle.
One of the best things about the app is how well it integrates with M-Pesa and Airtel Money. Deposits and withdrawals are fast and easy, which makes it convenient for local users.
Performance-wise, the app runs smoothly most of the time, though it can lag or crash during live betting, especially on older phones. The app also takes up quite a bit of space and data, which might be a downside for users on limited connections. It’s also slow on older Android phones.
