As of September 2023, there were 128 registered betting sites in Kenya. We’re only referring to the ones registered by the BCLB. We’ve not even accounted for the international ones like Bet365 through which a few punters bet through.
They are all competing for new clients. How do they entice us to gamble with them? They have quite a few techniques.
The likes of Mozzartbet, Betika and Sportpesa have jackpots where we could win over 200 million Kenyan Shillings by correctly Predicting the 3 way outcomes (home win, draw, away win) of at least 17 matches. For the geeks here, there are about 130 million possible jackpot combinations in case you were wondering.
The second way is through giving us free deposits and withdrawals, random bonuses and even free bets. The third, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on today is through welcome bonuses.
What’s a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is a special offer that some betting sites give to new customers who sign up with them. It is usually a percentage of the first deposit that the customer makes, up to a certain limit. For example, if a betting site offers a 100% welcome bonus up to 10,000 KES, it means that if you deposit 5,000 KES, you will get another 5,000 KES as a bonus. If you deposit 15,000 KES, you will get the maximum bonus of 10,000 KES.
Why do betting sites offer welcome bonuses? Well, there are two main reasons. One is to attract more customers and increase their market share. The other is to encourage customers to bet more and stay loyal to the site.
The different kinds of welcome bonuses
We could say that these bonuses fall into three main categories: match bonuses, free bets, and cashback bonuses.
- Match bonuses are the most common type of welcome bonus, where the betting site matches your first deposit by a certain percentage, up to a certain amount. For example, Paripesa offers a 100% match bonus up to 11,800 KES, which means that if you deposit 10,000 KES, you will get another 10,000 KES as a bonus. However, match bonuses usually come with some conditions, such as wagering requirements, minimum odds, and time limits. You have to meet these conditions before you can withdraw your bonus or any winnings from it.
- Free bets are another type of welcome bonus, where the betting site gives you a certain amount of money to place a bet, without risking your own money. For example, Odibets offers a 30 KES free bet when you sign up with them, which you can use to bet on any sport or event of your choice. If you win, you get to keep the profit, but not the stake. If you lose, you don’t lose anything. Free bets are usually valid for a limited time and may have some restrictions on the markets or events you can bet on. Here, we’ve listed all the betting sites with free bets.
- Cashback bonuses are the least common type of welcome bonus, but they can be very rewarding. They work by giving you back a percentage of your losses, up to a certain amount, as a bonus. For example, paripesa offers a weekly cashback bonus of 3% on your losing bets, which is automatically credited to your account at 12:00 GMT every Tuesday which is usually at 3AM Kenyan time. This type of bonus also has certain conditions, such as minimum odds and wagering requirements.
- Free spins are a type of welcome bonus that are exclusive to casino games, especially slot machines. They allow you to spin the reels for free, without using your own money, and keep any winnings you make. For example, bongo bongo offers free spins every monday that equate to 3% of the previous week’s net losses, which you can use on any of their slot games. However, free spins also have some terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements, maximum winnings, and expiry dates.
The best Welcome Bonuses in Kenya
| Betting site | Welcome bonus | Claim bonus button |
| 1win | 100% bonus on the first deposit | CLAIM NOW!! |
| 1xbet | 200% bonus of upto kes 20,000 | CLAIM NOW!! |
| 22bet | 100% bonus of upto kes 19,000 | CLAIM NOW!! |
| Megapari | 100% bonus of upto kes 15,700 | CLAIM NOW!! |
| 1win | 500% bonus on the first 4 deposits | CLAIM NOW!! |
| Helabet | 100% first deposit bonus up to 10000 KES! | CLAIM NOW!! |
| Odibets | kes 30 free bet. No deposit required | |
| Sportpesa | no bonus | N/A |
| betika | kes 3 to kes 5 bonus for depositing every day | |
| Mozzartbet | no bonus | N/A |
| Bongobongo | Risk Free First Bet up to Ksh 800 | CLAIM NOW!! |
| Paripesa | 100% first deposit bonus up to 11800 KES! | CLAIM NOW!! |
1win welcome bonus (2024 update)
This bookmaker gives you a generous welcome bonus of 500% on your first four deposits. This bonus offer is exclusively available to new 1win customers. The process to claim this bonus is quite straightforward.
1. Make a deposit into your main account. Here’s what’s exciting about this process – these first four deposits give you an extra bonus on two separate accounts: your sports betting account and your casino games account.
2. Get a massive 500% bonus. The bonus is automatically credited to your account after your deposit has cleared. You get a 200% bonus on your first deposit, a 150% bonus on your second deposit, a 100% bonus on your third deposit, and finally a 50% bonus on your fourth deposit.
For example, if you make a first deposit of KES 21,000 ($140), you get a bonus of 200%, which amounts to KES 42,000. This bonus is automatically credited to both your casino and betting bonus accounts. Your general account will stand at KES 105,000, that’s your original deposit plus the bonuses ($700).
3. Opt to play casino games or place sports bets with odds of 3 or more to render the bonus usable and transferable to your main account.
4. Get a bonus from the amount you have bet. If your sports bet wins, a pleasant 5% of the bet’s amount will be added to your winning amount from the bonus account. If you unfortunately lose in casino slots, interest from the casino bonus account will be credited to your main account depending on the amount of your bet.
The maximum bonus amount you can receive is KES 105,000 ($700) for a single deposit and the same amount for the first four deposits. The bonus amount is converted to cash in your main account and is immediately ready for use once wagered. However, bets with odds of less than 3 and refunded bets do not count towards the bonus wagering.
In addition, 1win reserves the right to verify the owner of the gaming account at any time or limit the player’s participation in the promotion. Don’t let this chance to earn extra betting cash pass you by, join the new 1win clients and claim this generous bonus offer today!
Dafabet welcome bonus (2024 update)
Last year, Dafabet were giving a 50% bonus on the first deposit. It’s even bigger this year.
Get a 100% bonus when you deposit from Kes 49 to Kes 1,000. The maximum bonus is Kes 1,000
1xbet welcome bonus (2024 update)
Well, they give you a welcome package that contains huge bonuses on your first four deposits, which can add up to 190,000 KES plus 150 free spins. It works like this:
1. First, you need to create an account on 1xbet, making sure to fill in your personal information and activate your phone number.
2. Upon making a first deposit of at least 1,300 KES, your bonus will be automatically credited to your account.
3. Each of your first four deposits comes with a respective match bonus and free spins. The first deposit earns a 100% bonus along with 30 free spins. The next one gets you a 50% bonus with 35 free spins. Your third deposit results in a 25% bonus and 40 free spins while the fourth deposit gives you another 25% bonus coupled with 45 free spins.
4. The maximum bonus amount that you can get from each deposit rises from 40,000 KES for the 1st deposit, up to 55,000 KES for the 4th deposit.
5. Just note that to redeem each bonus, you’ll need to wager the bonus amount 35 times within the first 7 days.
22bet welcome bonus (2024 update)
Moving on to the 22bet Welcome Bonus for 2024. As it currently stands, they offer a pretty substantial package specifically designed for sports betting enthusiasts. Here’s the quick rundown:
1. First, you need to register on the 22bet website and fill in all required fields in the ‘My Account’ section.
2. Once your account setup is complete, make a deposit of at least 150 KES.
3. Upon doing this, you will receive a 100% bonus up to a maximum of 19,000 KES for sports betting.
4. Interestingly, this bonus is credited automatically after the deposit is made. There’s no need for you to take any extra steps.
5. However, conditions apply. For example, the bonus’s wagering requirement is 5x the bonus amount in accumulator bets. Each of these must contain at least three selections, with three selections having odds of 1.40 or higher.
6. One neat feature is the separation of balances. The real money balance and the bonus balance are maintained separately, offering a clear understanding of your financials.
7. But note, the bonus needs to be used within 7 days and can’t be used in conjunction with other promotions. It’s a standalone deal.
Megapari welcome bonus (2024 update)
On to Megapari’s 2024 Welcome Bonus. This time, we have a bonus that comes in a form of a promo code and caters specifically to sports betting. So, how can you get your hands on it?
1. As always, register on the Megapari website and fill in all the required fields in ‘My Account’.
2. After this, top up your account – with a minimum deposit of 5096 KES.
3. Your bonus will be automatically credited as a promo code up to a potential maximum of 16986 KES.
Helabet welcome bonus (2024 update)
The Helabet Welcome Bonus in 2024 is all about a value proposition – a whopping 100% bonus on your first deposit of up to 10,000 KES. Here’s how to get your hands on that bonus:
1. Register on the Helabet website and complete all necessary personal information fields in ‘My Account’.
2. Make your first deposit of up to 10,000 KES.
3. And voila, your bonus is automatically credited to your account. This cannot exceed 10,000 KES.
, so make sure to meet the wagering requirements within that time frame.
Mozzartbet welcome bonus (2024 update)
The Happy Monday Bonus from Mozzartbet is an interesting 2024 promotion that aims to put a spring in the step of punters’ week. It’s a loyalty-based reward that’s offered every Monday to all registered Mozzartbet users, irrespective of when you last updated your account activities.
Claiming your Happy Monday Bonus is as easy as it gets. Here’s how you can kick off your week with a smile:
1. You need to ensure you have an active account with Mozzartbet.
2. Then, simply log into your account every Monday.
3. Surprise, you’ll find your Happy Monday Bonus waiting for you.
4. You have complete freedom on how to use this bonus. Either withdraw it instantly or use it to play Mozzartbet’s array of exciting games, including virtual games or various casino games
FAQs:
1. Are the welcome bonuses a must-get when joining a betting site?
No, getting a welcome bonus is not mandatory. Most betting sites offer them as incentives to attract new customers, but you are not obliged to claim them. Some bettors prefer to start betting without any bonuses.
2. How do I claim my welcome bonus?
The process varies depending on the betting site. However, most bonuses are automatically credited to your account once you sign up and make your first deposit. Some sites might require you to input a bonus code.
3.Can I withdraw my welcome bonus right away?
No, you cannot withdraw your welcome bonus immediately. Most betting sites have wagering requirements that you must meet before you can withdraw your bonus or any winnings from it. You should always check the site’s terms and conditions.
4.Can I use my welcome bonus to bet on any market?
This depends on the rules of the betting site. Some restrictions may apply to the markets that can be accessed with your bonus. Therefore, it is important to read the terms and conditions prior to using your bonus.
5.Are there any risks involved in taking a welcome bonus?
The only risk of taking a welcome bonus is not fully understanding the terms and conditions associated with it. If you’re unsure, be sure to read these thoroughly or ask for clarification from customer service.
