By Do not use any Betlion paybill number you find online. Betlion has had no working Kenyan site since its sale to 888Africa, and in October 2026 its web address led nowhere, so there is no live account for a deposit to reach. Old paybill numbers still sit on legacy help pages and payment directories; we deliberately do not reprint them. This page explains the risk and what to do if you have already paid.
Why an old bookmaker paybill is dangerous
- No account to credit: without a working platform, nothing can turn your payment into a betting balance.
- Unknown recipient: a business number that is no longer used by the bookmaker may be inactive, held by a successor company or reassigned.
- Slow recovery: money sent to the wrong paybill is hard to get back once it is accepted.
- Scam bait: fake "Betlion agents" may share a till or personal number and promise a reactivated account or a free bet.
Already sent money? Do this
- Find the M-Pesa confirmation SMS and note the transaction code, amount, time and the business name shown.
- If the name shown is not a bookmaker you recognise, contact Safaricom customer care quickly and ask about a reversal; speed matters.
- If the payment went to a business connected to Betlion or 888bet, write to that company through contact details on its official website.
- Do not pay anyone who offers to recover the money for a fee.
- Keep screenshots and a dated log of each step.
Withdrawing an old Betlion balance
There is no Betlion withdrawal screen to use any more. If you believe you had a balance when the site stopped working, our Betlion review lists the evidence to gather and how to approach the owner. We found no official public process for old balances, so be patient and keep everything in writing.
How to deposit safely elsewhere
With a licensed bookmaker, a deposit either starts inside your account, triggering an M-Pesa prompt that names the bookmaker, or goes through a paybill printed on the operator's own site. In both cases check the name on the confirmation screen before entering your PIN.
| Bookmaker | How deposits work |
|---|---|
| BetPawa | Enter the amount in your account and approve the BETPAWA prompt; M-Pesa or Airtel Money |
| Kessbet | Request a deposit and enter your M-Pesa PIN on the prompt; credited immediately |
| Betika | M-Pesa paybill or an in-app prompt; check the recipient name |
Step-by-step guides: BetPawa deposits and Kessbet deposits. The M-Pesa betting sites page lists more options. Remember that Kenyan law deducts excise duty on deposits, so a licensed wallet shows a slightly lower amount than you sent.
| Rank | Operator | Rating | Welcome offer | Highlights | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  BetPawaRead review of BetPawa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of BetPawa |
| 2 |  KessBetRead review of KessBet | Our rating: 5.5 out of 10 | Up to KES 5,000 over the first month18+ T&Cs apply |
| Visit siteReview of KessBet |
| 3 |  BetikaRead review of BetikaM-Pesa paybill 290290 | Our rating: 8.0 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of Betika |
| 4 |  SportPesaRead review of SportPesa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of SportPesa |
| 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.
Betting is for adults 18+ only. If losing money to a closed bookmaker has you tempted to chase it elsewhere, take a break first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Betlion paybill number?
We do not publish it. Betlion has no working Kenyan platform, so any old paybill should not be used.
I paid into a Betlion paybill. Can I get the money back?
Note the M-Pesa transaction code and the business name, then contact Safaricom quickly about a reversal. Never pay a recovery fee to third parties.
How do I withdraw from Betlion?
There is no working withdrawal screen. Gather your records and contact the owner only through official 888bet or 888Africa channels.
Which bookmaker can I deposit with instead?
Use a licensed bookmaker with a documented deposit flow, such as BetPawa or Kessbet.
