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Betlion is not running a working betting site in Kenya. When we checked on 28 October 2026, betlion.co.ke redirected to betlion.ke, which did not load at all, and the 888bet.co.ke address that was meant to replace it showed only a placeholder page. Betlion Kenya was bought by 888Africa in 2023, and the brand has since gone quiet. Our advice is simple: do not deposit with any site, app or paybill using the Betlion name until a licensed, working site reappears.
BetTips.co.ke is a standalone editorial site. This page explains what Betlion was, what happened to it, what to do if you still had money on an account, and which licensed bookmakers fill the gap. We base it on news coverage from 2018 to 2023 and on our own checks of the Betlion web addresses in October 2026.
Betlion Kenya timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 2018 | Betlion launched in Kenya with a BCLB permit; Kenya was its second African market after Uganda |
| Following years | Betlion promoted the Goliath Jackpot, a 20-game jackpot with consolation prizes for fewer correct picks |
| August 2023 | 888Africa acquired Betlion; 888bet was to trade under the Betlion brand in Kenya and later revert to 888bet |
| October 2026 | betlion.co.ke redirects to a dead address; 888bet.co.ke shows a placeholder only |
Is Betlion still working in Kenya?
No, as far as we can see. A bookmaker's website is its shop: without it, you cannot log in, deposit, bet or withdraw. We found no official closure announcement from Betlion or 888Africa, but we also found no working Kenyan platform, no current licence statement and no 2024-2026 relaunch reported in Kenyan media. Several Kenyan web pages written in 2026 also describe the site as unreachable or not accepting new players.
Under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) replaced the BCLB as the regulator, and every online bookmaker needs a current licence. A brand that has no working site cannot show one. Until that changes, we list Betlion as closed and keep it out of every ranking on this site.
Is Betlion legit? Old and new answers
When Betlion launched in 2018 it was a licensed operator with a BCLB permit, and in its active years it was a recognised Kenyan brand. That history does not carry over to today. Any website that now asks you to register or deposit under the Betlion name cannot be verified as the original operator, so treat it as a likely clone. The same goes for Telegram channels and WhatsApp numbers using the old lion logo.
What happened to the Goliath Jackpot, Pick 6 and virtuals?
People still search for Betlion Goliath, Betlion Pick 6, Betlion virtual and Betlion live. These were products of the old platform. The Goliath Jackpot asked punters to predict 20 games, with bonuses for getting most of them right. None of these products can be played now, because the platform is gone. If you enjoy jackpots, licensed bookmakers run their own, such as the SportPesa Mega Jackpot of 17 games and the Betika Grand Jackpot, also 17 games; see our jackpot predictions hub for how to approach them.
Betlion lite, SMS and app searches
"Betlion lite", "Betlion SMS" and "Betlion app" searches lead to old guides. A lite site, an SMS shortcode or an app only works if the bookmaker's systems are running. Old APK files may install but cannot connect to anything legitimate, and SMS bets to an old shortcode go nowhere useful. Our Betlion app page explains what to do with an old app still on your phone.
Old Betlion paybill numbers
Legacy help pages and directories still show a Betlion paybill. Do not send money to it. A paybill that no longer belongs to the bookmaker could be reassigned or inactive, and recovering money sent to the wrong business is slow at best. The Betlion paybill page explains how to check where a payment went and what to do if you already paid.
If you had money on a Betlion account
- Gather evidence: M-Pesa SMS confirmations, screenshots of your balance, and any emails or SMS from Betlion.
- Search your messages for notices about the move to 888bet; some customers may have been told how to transfer or withdraw.
- Check whether 888bet publishes contact details for Kenya on its own site and write to them with your evidence.
- For deposits that left M-Pesa but never reached a live account, ask Safaricom to trace the transaction code.
- Keep a dated record of every attempt in case you need to raise it with the regulator.
Ignore anyone who offers to recover a Betlion balance for a fee. That is a known follow-up scam after a bookmaker closes.
How to check a bookmaker has really closed
Brands sometimes go offline for maintenance or a rebrand and come back, so it is worth knowing how to check rather than relying on rumours. Type the official address yourself instead of following links. Look for an announcement on the operator's own site or its verified social accounts. Search Kenyan business news for the company name. Finally, check whether the brand still appears in current lists of licensed operators. For Betlion, every one of those checks pointed the same way in October 2026: no site, no announcement of a relaunch and no current licence statement.
Betlion customer care
We found no working Betlion customer care channel in Kenya. Phone numbers listed for "Betlion customer care" on old pages may now reach someone unrelated. If you need to contact the owner, use only details published on an official 888bet or 888Africa website, and never share your M-Pesa PIN.
Where to bet instead
If you used Betlion for jackpots, small stakes or virtuals, several licensed Kenyan bookmakers cover the same ground. Our best betting sites page ranks them in full; the shortlist below includes only operators with a working site and a licence statement.
| 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 |  BetPawaRead review of BetPawa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of BetPawa |
| 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 |  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 |
18+. Offers and terms change often: always read the full terms on the operator site before you deposit.
| If you liked Betlion for | Look at |
|---|---|
| Big multi-game jackpots | SportPesa and Betika jackpots, see the jackpot hub |
| Low stakes on M-Pesa | BetPawa, see the BetPawa review |
| A local brand with SMS and USSD services | Betika, see the Betika review |
Our verdict
Betlion was a real, licensed Kenyan bookmaker between 2018 and its 2023 sale to 888Africa, best known for its Goliath Jackpot. In October 2026 it has no working Kenyan site, so there is nothing left to review as a betting product. Do not register, deposit or download anything carrying the Betlion name, and move to a licensed bookmaker instead. We will update this page if the brand or 888bet relaunches with a licence. Betting is for adults 18+ only; if a closed account has left you chasing losses, see our responsible gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Betlion still operating in Kenya?
Not as far as we can see. In October 2026 betlion.co.ke redirected to an address that did not load, and 888bet.co.ke showed only a placeholder.
Who owns Betlion?
888Africa acquired Betlion in August 2023. The plan reported at the time was for 888bet to trade under the Betlion brand in Kenya and later revert to 888bet.
Can I still withdraw money from Betlion?
There is no working Kenyan site to withdraw from. Gather your M-Pesa records and contact the owner only through details published on an official 888bet or 888Africa site.
Is the Betlion Goliath Jackpot still running?
No. It was a product of the old Betlion platform, which is no longer working in Kenya.
Is a site using the Betlion name safe?
We cannot verify any current site using the Betlion name. Treat such sites and apps as likely clones and do not deposit.
