By To bet on OdiBets using SMS, you register by texting ODI to the OdiBets shortcode, find the game ID of the match you want, then send your pick and stake to the same shortcode from your registered number. No data bundle is needed. The shortcode sits in the key facts box below, and the exact message formats are published in the OdiBets FAQ.
Step 1: register for SMS betting
Send ODI to 29680. If your number already has an OdiBets account from the website, it is the same account, so you can skip this. Read the reply carefully: it confirms the number linked to the wallet. Registration details are also on our OdiBets registration page.
Step 2: get a game ID
Every match on OdiBets has a short numeric ID. You can see IDs on the website or app next to each fixture, on printed coupons, or in the SMS game lists the operator sends. Check the kick-off time against East Africa Time and the team names before you text: two games with similar IDs are an easy mix-up.
Step 3: send the bet
The bet message combines the game ID, your pick and the stake, separated as the OdiBets FAQ shows (the pick is usually 1 for home, X for draw and 2 for away). For a multibet you chain several game IDs and picks in one message before the stake. Because formats get updated, copy the template from the FAQ or from the help reply the shortcode sends, rather than from an old forum post.
| You want to | What you send |
|---|---|
| Register | ODI |
| Bet on one match | Game ID, pick and stake in the FAQ format |
| Build a multibet | Several game IDs with picks, then the stake |
| Withdraw | W#Amount, for example W#200 |
The FAQ also sets a minimum and maximum SMS stake. If a bet is rejected, the reply usually tells you why: low balance, wrong ID, started match or a stake outside the limits.
Step 4: fund the wallet and withdraw
SMS bets come out of the same wallet as web bets. Top it up through the M-Pesa paybill, as described on the OdiBets paybill page. To cash out, send W#Amount from the registered line; the money goes to that number's M-Pesa. Excise duty on top-ups and withholding tax on payouts are deducted automatically.
Mistakes that cost SMS punters
- Betting on a game that already kicked off: the bet is rejected or, worse, you bet on the wrong ID instead.
- Mixing up X and 2 when typing fast on a keypad phone.
- Sending from a second SIM that is not registered.
- Forgetting that a multibet loses if one selection loses, however tempting the total odds look.
- Paying for "SMS tips" from strangers: no paid tip makes a match certain, and many of these senders are scammers.
SMS betting is fast, which makes it easy to overdo. Keep a note of what you stake each week, and remember that betting is for 18+ only. For other bookmakers that take bets by text, see our SMS betting sites list.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need internet to bet on OdiBets by SMS?
No. You only need a registered line with airtime for normal SMS charges and money in your OdiBets wallet.
Where do I find OdiBets game IDs?
Next to each fixture on the site or app, on OdiBets coupons, and in game lists sent by the operator. Always confirm the teams and kick-off time.
Can I play the OdiBets jackpot by SMS?
Jackpot entry by SMS depends on the current format. Check the jackpot section of the OdiBets FAQ or the help reply from the shortcode.
Why was my SMS bet rejected?
Common causes are a low balance, an incorrect game ID, a match that already started or a stake outside the SMS limits set in the FAQ.
