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Mcheza (written mCHEZA by the brand) was a Kenyan sports betting site, but it no longer operates as a bookmaker as far as we can tell: neither mCheza nor its company appears on the current regulator register, and mcheza.co.ke now hosts a Swahili casino-review site instead of a betting platform. Do not deposit money with anything presented as Mcheza today. Below is what the brand was, what we found and where Mcheza punters can bet legally now.
What mCheza was
mCHEZA launched in December 2015 as the sports betting brand of Acumen Communications Limited, in partnership with the Greek gaming technology company Intralot, which announced a ten-year cooperation to run sports betting in Kenya under the mCHEZA name. The name plays on "cheza", Swahili for "play", and the brand targeted mobile punters at a time when SportPesa and Betika were growing fast.
What we found in October 2026
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| mcheza.co.ke | Serves a Swahili online casino review site, not a betting account |
| Regulator register copy | No mCheza and no Acumen Communications entry |
| Official closure notice | None found |
| Paybill, app, SMS service | None we could verify as working |
Without a formal announcement we cannot give an exact closing date. The combination of a repurposed domain and no licence is, however, clear enough: there is no licensed mCheza bookmaker to register with, deposit into or withdraw from.
Mcheza registration, app, paybill and bonus searches
People still search for "mcheza registration", "mcheza app download", "mcheza paybill" and "mcheza bonus". There is nothing current to give them. Old APK files, paybill numbers and promo codes from past years should not be used: a paybill that once belonged to a bookmaker may now belong to a different business or be inactive, and an old APK can be modified by whoever hosts it. If any site or message offers a working "Mcheza" account today, treat it as a scam until it can show a current licence from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which took over from the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act, 2025.
If you had money on an mCheza account
Gather what you have: the phone number used for the account, old M-Pesa messages and any bet slips. Contact information for the former operator is not available from the current domain. The GRA is the regulator for licensed operators in Kenya; describe the case to it in writing if you believe a balance was not returned. Ignore anyone who contacts you offering to "recover" an mCheza balance for a fee.
How Kenyan betting has changed since mCheza
The market mCheza entered in 2015 looks very different today. The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act has been replaced by the Gambling Control Act, 2025, licences are renewed yearly, online operators need a separate online licence, and foreign-backed brands must be registered in Kenya with local customer care. Excise duty now applies to deposits, and withholding tax is deducted from winnings. Several brands from that era have gone, which is why checking a current licence matters more than remembering a familiar name. Our betting tax guide explains the deductions you will see today.
Where former Mcheza punters can bet now
If you liked mCheza for simple mobile football betting, licensed bookmakers offer the same and more: M-Pesa deposits, light mobile sites, jackpots and SMS betting. The ranked list below includes only operators we found active and licensed.
| 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 |  BetPawaRead review of BetPawa | Our rating: 7.5 out of 10 | See current offer on site |
| Visit siteReview of BetPawa |
| 5 |  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 |
18+. Offers and terms change often: always read the full terms on the operator site before you deposit.
Read our OdiBets review if you want a low-data option with SMS betting, or compare all options on our best betting sites in Kenya page. Current welcome offers are collected on our bonuses page.
Our verdict on Mcheza
mCheza is a closed chapter in Kenyan betting. We do not rate it and do not list it in our rankings. Use a bookmaker with a current licence in its footer, and remember that betting is for adults 18+ only. If old habits are hard to shake, our responsible gambling page explains limits and self-exclusion in Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcheza still operating in Kenya?
We found no sign of it. mCheza is not on the regulator register copy and its domain now hosts a casino review site.
Who owned mCheza?
mCHEZA was launched in 2015 by Acumen Communications Limited with technology partner Intralot.
Can I still use the Mcheza app or paybill?
No. Old apps and paybills are not linked to a licensed operator today, so do not use them.
Is Mcheza legit?
There is no licensed mCheza bookmaker today. Any site or person offering an Mcheza account now should be treated as unverified.
