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BCLB licensed betting firms are bookmakers that were approved by the Betting Control and Licensing Board, the body that regulated betting in Kenya for decades. Under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, that role has passed to the new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), and licences are now issued and renewed under the new rules. A legal betting site in Kenya today shows a current licence number, names its operating company and meets the GRA's conditions. Below is how to check that yourself and which registered betting companies we currently rate.
From BCLB to the Gambling Regulatory Authority
The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act and the BCLB set the rules for Kenyan betting for many years. Lotteries fell under the same law; our page on legal lotto in Kenya explains the current options. The Gambling Control Act, 2025 replaced both and created the GRA, which now handles licensing, monitoring and enforcement. Existing BCLB licences stayed valid until they expired, so you will still see "BCLB" on many sites. New licensing, advertising and player-protection regulations have come into force under the Act, and the GRA has opened its own licensing cycle; parts of the licensing rules have been challenged in court, so details may still change.
| Topic | Old system | New system |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act | Gambling Control Act, 2025 |
| Regulator | Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) | Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) |
| Online betting | Covered by bookmaker licences | Separate online licence required |
| Foreign operators | Licensed through local companies | Must register locally with a Kenyan address, customer care and local bank account for player funds |
| Self-exclusion | Operator by operator | Central register; operators must close self-excluded accounts |
Licensed betting sites we rate
| Rank | Operator | Rating | Welcome offer | Highlights | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  BetikaRead review of BetikaM-Pesa paybill 290290 | Our rating: 8.0 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of Betika |
| 2 |  SportPesaRead review of SportPesa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of SportPesa |
| 3 |  OdiBetsRead review of OdiBetsM-Pesa paybill 290680 | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | Free bet for new customers18+ T&Cs apply |
| Visit siteReview of OdiBets |
| 4 |  Mozzart BetRead review of Mozzart BetM-Pesa paybill 290059 | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of Mozzart Bet |
| 5 |  BetPawaRead review of BetPawa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of BetPawa |
| 6 |  BongoBongoRead review of BongoBongoM-Pesa paybill 499995 | Our rating: 7.0 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of BongoBongo |
| 7 |  SportyBetRead review of SportyBetM-Pesa paybill 590555 | Our rating: 6.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of SportyBet |
| 8 |  KwikBetRead review of KwikBetM-Pesa paybill 290028 | Our rating: 6.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of KwikBet |
| 9 | ShabikiRead review of Shabiki | Our rating: 6.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of Shabiki |
| 10 |  22BetRead review of 22BetM-Pesa paybill 7325515 | Our rating: 6.5 out of 10 | 100% first deposit bonus up to KES 19,00018+ T&Cs apply |
| Visit siteReview of 22Bet |
18+. Offers and terms change often: always read the full terms on the operator site before you deposit.
The licence field for each bookmaker shows the number published on its own site, where we found one. We list only operators with a confirmed Kenyan presence. If a licence number changes or a regulator suspends an operator, we update the table and the review.
How to check a betting licence yourself
- Scroll to the footer of the bookmaker's site. Licensed Kenyan operators display a licence number and the operating company's name, often with a note about age limits.
- Note the company name, which is usually different from the brand. It should be a company registered in Kenya.
- Compare with the regulator. The GRA and, before it, the BCLB have published lists of licensed operators and notices about suspended ones. Check the regulator's official site or recent news on regulator lists.
- Check the M-Pesa name. When you deposit, the confirmation SMS should show the operating company or brand, not a person's name.
- Look for ads with a licence number. The 2026 advertising rules require approved gambling adverts to show the licence number and a counselling message.
Why a licence matters to you
A licence is not a stamp of quality, but it gives you something no unlicensed site can: a regulator. Licensed operators must follow rules on age checks, player funds, advertising and self-exclusion, and a complaint can be escalated if a bookmaker refuses to pay. With an unlicensed site, a frozen balance is simply gone. Licensed operators also deduct excise duty and withholding tax as the law requires, so the tax side is handled for you.
Crackdowns on illegal betting sites
Kenyan regulators have repeatedly ordered unlicensed bookmakers shut and asked Safaricom to suspend their paybills and shortcodes, most visibly in 2019 and again in 2025, when dozens of sites were targeted. If a bookmaker's paybill suddenly stops working, it may have been suspended. Do not send money to an alternative number shared on social media; wait for an official notice on the operator's site.
Legal does not mean risk-free
Using a licensed bookmaker protects you from fraud and lost balances, not from losing bets. You still need a budget and limits. Under the new law, self-exclusion covers all licensed operators: once you register, operators must close your accounts and stop marketing to you for the chosen period. Details are on our responsible gambling page. Only adults 18+ may bet, and operators can ask for your ID to confirm it.
Licence numbers you will see on Kenyan sites
Kenyan licence numbers usually start with letters that show the type of permit: BK for bookmaking and PG for public gaming such as casino games, with a separate number for each. A site that offers both sports betting and casino may therefore show two numbers. Some operators still show an older number in one place and a newer one in another; when that happens, our reviews record the one in the current footer and note the difference.
Where to go next
Once you have confirmed a site is licensed, compare the practical side: M-Pesa deposits and withdrawals, the betting app, and the bonus terms. Our full betting sites ranking and individual bookmaker reviews cover all of it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BCLB still the betting regulator in Kenya?
No. The Gambling Control Act, 2025 replaced the BCLB with the Gambling Regulatory Authority. Licences issued by the BCLB stayed valid until expiry, which is why many sites still mention it.
Where can I see the list of licensed betting companies in Kenya?
The regulator publishes licensed operators and suspension notices on its official channels. Combine that with the licence number shown in the bookmaker's site footer.
Is it illegal to bet on an unlicensed site?
The law targets operators who run unlicensed gambling, but players lose all protection on such sites. If an unlicensed site keeps your money, there is no regulator to help.
Can foreign betting sites get a Kenyan licence?
Yes, if they register in Kenya and meet the conditions, including a local address, customer care and player funds held in a Kenyan bank.
Does a licensed site pay tax for me?
Licensed operators deduct excise duty on top-ups and withholding tax on payouts automatically. Check the current rates on the bet slip or KRA guidance.
