M-Pesa Betting Sites

Updated:

With more online sportsbooks operating in African countries than ever before, it can be tough to know which payment methods you should be considering using. M-Pesa is a good example of a relatively new payment method, and already, it’s taken the online gambling world by storm.

Available primarily to Kenyan punters, M-Pesa allows you to easily and quickly make payments online. And it’s favoured by a number of betting sites thanks to its ease of use, adaptability and more.

M-Pesa was launched back in 2007, and while it was initially solely available to Kenyan punters, it soon rolled out to other countries too. For example, today, M-Pesa can be used by residents of Albania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lesotho, Mozambique, Romania and Tanzania.

List of betting sites that accept M-Pesa deposits

Found: 7 Bookmakers

Rank Bookmaker Bonus Claim
1

1xBet

100% Welcome bonus up to 130,000 KRW

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

2

22Bet

Welcome Bonus up to 160,000 KRW

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

3

Melbet

100% Welcome bonus up to 119,000 KRW

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

4

Megapari

100% Welcome bonus up to 135,000 KRW

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

5

20Bet

100% Welcome bonus up to €100

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

6

BetWinner

100% Welcome bonus up to 140,623 KRW

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

7

BC.GAME

Welcome bonus up to $20,000

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

M-Pesa betting sites - the ultimate guide

Updated:

M-Pesa Betting Sites

M-Pesa is an online payment service that has become popular in the sports betting industry in recent times. It’s fast, secure and easy to use, making it a big hit with online gamblers in a rush to get their bets on and secure the best price. Our team of sports betting experts use this page to display the best online betting apps that accept M-Pesa to fund wagers and withdraw winnings. Read our review and choose the sportsbook that most appeals to you. Click any link on this page to open an account.

What you need to know about M-Pesa betting

What you need to know about M-Pesa bettingM-Pesa is used by many bettors as their main e-wallet to pay for bets and withdraw winnings. The highest level of security measures is in place to allow bettors complete peace of mind. Enjoy your online betting experience knowing your essential details and transactions are safe. This frees up more time to find the value and bet on winners.

  1. Use M-Pesa to make instant deposits to your online betting account
  2. The latest online security measures protect M-Pesa transactions
  3. Bettors can use M-Pesa to gamble on their favourite sports, including football
  4. The English Premier League is a popular division for bets placed using M-Pesa

Another positive of M-Pesa is it affords instant access to your deposits. When placing bets on sports, you can’t wait around for cash to clear. You need to get your stake down quickly to secure the best possible odds on your bets. That’s why M-Pesa is useful as it gives you access to your deposits with a single click.

Available primarily to Kenyan punters, M-Pesa allows you to easily and quickly make payments online. And it’s favoured by a number of betting sites thanks to its ease of use, adaptability and more.

Withdrawals are almost as fast and just as easy. If you have been lucky enough to back a winner, you will want to get your hands on the cash quickly. You can’t afford to wait up to five business days that are advertised by debit cards. M-Pesa withdrawals are advertised as less than 24 hours and, in most cases, are instant.

What you need to know about M-Pesa betting
??? Founded 2007
??Coverage African Countries
?? Type eWallet
??? Area served Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Ghana, Mozambique, Egypt, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo
?? Has a dedicated app Yes (Android / iOS)
?? Processing fee No fee up to 100KSh
? Transaction speed Instant

FAQ

? Is M-Pesa free?

No. You do pay a small transaction fee on each transaction you make, but it’s worth pointing out that this is usually quite small – and is very often lower than you’d find with other banking options. What’s more, many bookmakers that use M-Pesa may offer to refund the fees for you into your betting account.

? Which countries is it available in?

Currently, M-Pesa is available to punters residing in Albania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Romania and Tanzania.

? Do I need to visit a retailer?

No, as it is possible to load money into your M-Pesa account using online banking. Using cash to top-up an account is the most popular option in most countries where this payment method is offered though.

? Can I Withdraw Using M-Pesa?

Yes, withdrawals are allowed. Moreover, many bookmakers offer instant cashouts, so the money will be at your account in minutes.

? Is M-Pesa safe?

Yes. This is one of the safest methods for players from African countries to make deposits and withdrawals with.

How to obtain M-Pesa?

Since its introduction in 2007, mobile money transfer has never been the same again.

Boasting of serving over 37 million users andhaving upwards of 400,000 operating agents in 7 countries, obtaining M-Pesa should be an easy feat. All you have to do is go to the nearest Safaricom retail service or Safaricom care desk.

You’ll need a form of identification: Kenyan national ID, a Kenyan or foreign passport, a Kenyan military ID or Kenyan foreign certificate. Also, you need to have a phone with a Safaricom SIM card. If you don’t, purchase one at the retail centres.

With the two requirements, the Safaricom customer care or agent should be able to activate the M-Pesa function on your SIM card. When they do, you will receive a 4-digit numerical PIN that you will use to activate M-PESA on your phone.

For activation on your phone, go to your Safaricom SIM toolkit and select the M-PESA menu. The menu shows instructions in two languages: English and Kiswahili. So select ‘Activate’ or ‘Wezesha’.

Next, put in the PIN you received to activate. Proceed to create your PIN to secure your account. Enter the ID number you used during M-PESA registration.

Almost immediately, you should receive a confirmation via SMS that your M-PESA has been successfully activated and is ready for use.

After that, the agent will have you fill in some registration forms which they will verify when you’re done, also appending their signatures on there to confirm the details.

How to pick the best M-Pesa betting site

As there are a good number of bookmakers that offer M-Pesa, here are some tips for you to find the best option available.

  1. Check your preferences

    Before you start looking for the perfect bookie, it’s good to know what your preferences are. So, when carrying out research, you should know what things are necessary to have in a bookmaker for it to be perfect.
    do your research
  2. Look for bonuses

    Although promos aren’t the key feature for some, it’s always good to find bookies that offer you advantages when making deposits with M-Pesa – be it a bonus or free bets.
    check offers
  3. Deposit and withdrawal limits

    It is important to know the minimum and maximum that you can deposit and withdraw from a bookie. More experienced bettors like higher stakes, while newbies look to put in less money. If a bookie offers both possibilities, it can be considered great.
    examine payment methods
  4. Variety is important

    The greater the variety of sports and markets, the better the bookmaker. Even if you only want to bet on the more traditional sports, the fact that a bookie offers a wider range of sports makes it more focused on offering a good service.
    look for betting lines

How to make a deposit with M-Pesa

  1. 1. Find your SIM toolkit on your phone and go to the M-PESA menu.
    MPESA-Process_5-600x600sa
  2. 2. Select LipanaM-Pesa(meaning “Pay with M-Pesa” in Kiswahili
    MPESA-Process_4-600x600sa
  3. 3. Select the Pay Bill option
    MPESA-Process_3-600x600sa
  4. 4. Each M-Pesa betting site has a Safaricom business number. Enter that business number.
    MPESA-Process_1-600x600sa
  5. 5. Next, enter your username and number that you use for placing bets. All that's left is to put the amount you want to deposit and to confirm your decision in a resultant pop-up message that should appear on your screen showing the details of the transaction.
    MPESA-Process_2-600x600sa

Is M-Pesa Sports betting safe?

In the typical Kenyan’s life, M-Pesa has to be one of those brands that rank high in terms of recognizability, usage and trustworthiness.

Its offline working principle keeps the customers’ money secured from potential online theft that is a common occurrence on online money transfer platforms, like credit cards and bank accounts.

However,simple precautions are imperative. For instance, do not share your M-Pesa PIN with anyone, including M-Pesa retail shop operators.

Also, be quick to contact Safaricom when you notice any unusual activity like an attempted unauthorized withdrawal.

Another great piece of news is that M-Pesa response to customer queries is impressively apt. If you take into consideration those betting companies have a bare minimum of security that they too have to offer their customer in terms of encryption, with the necessary precautions I have mentioned, M-Pesa is a safe bet.

Best M-Pesa bookmakers

Below is a list of the international betting sites that accept M-Pesa; choose the one that catches your eye and click the link to get started.
 

If you don’t already have an account with that online betting app, you can create one in minutes.

Register, deposit funds to your balance then place your first bet. When that wager has been settled, the sportsbook’s trading team will drop a welcome bonus free bet into your account. This can be used to gamble on your favourite sports, including football, horse racing and greyhounds.

The M-Pesa option isn’t available at all bookmakers, but it is growing in popularity and continues to gather pace. As more online transactions are made using this method, the demand for it will continue to grow, forcing the leading online betting apps into action.

To be successful and viewed as a forward-thinking, modern company, a bookmaker must offer customers a wide range of deposit methods. These should include debit accounts, e-wallets and even cryptocurrencies. More ewallet sites are popping up all the time, but only the very best and most secure are accepted by bookmakers.

Best M-Pesa bookmakers
?? Funding Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Transfers
??? Key factor This payment method is only available in Africa.
?? Major advantages of the method M-Pesa offers security, instant transactions most of the time and also great deposit flexibility.
?? Major disadvantages of the method Small fees are charged when making transactions above 100KSh.
?? Customer Support ?? App, phone

Top 3 M-Pesa betting sites

As currently M-Pesa is not operating in other continents other than Africa, we cannot expect a wide array of bookmaker options for punters to choose from. The good news though is that we have a few world-class bookies operating there. 

A few examples:

  • Betway
  • 22Bet
  • Premier Bet

Betway and M-Pesa

Betway is one of the most popular betting sites in Kenya.

With an alluring 100% bonus on the first deposit and promotions around free bets and payouts, Betway continues to be a favourite bookie for several players today.

To utilize the service, you go on their website and signup.

They will require that you provide personal biodata. Of utmost importance is that you provide your mobile number, which is M-Pesa enabled. When done, you should be able to make deposits through Betway’s PayBill number that is readily available. Money withdrawal is equally simplified.

Head on to the Betway website and sign in to your account. Go to the withdraw option and select M-Pesa as your service provider. Indicate the amount you intend to withdraw and click remove.

Using M-Pesa at 22Bet

Setting foot in the Kenyan betting scene just last year, it is incredible how 22 Bet has been quick to appeal to several bettors in Kenya. With its core focus on football, 22Bet allows for payments via M-Pesa.

It boasts extra bonuses on the first deposit and several live bet-in options.

However popular 22 Bet might be, its old-school website remains to be one of its deterrent factors to bettors as it makes the system slow compared to tech-forward bookies like one of its close competitors, Betway.

22bet accepts M-Pesa deposits

22 Bet appeals to the African continent with its unmatched focus on live betting, where players are open to a wide array of options. It is accessible on mobile using apps on both iPhone and Android. Add its welcome bonuses, and it becomes clearer why many bettors choose 22 Bet.

Bet now Read review

18+ T&C apply, BeGambleAware.org

featured-bookmaker-22bet-384x999w

Advantages & limitations

The M-Pesa platform presents some upsides and downsides.

One of its definite advantages is that all M-Pesa withdrawals and deposits are offline-based, so security is guaranteed.

Secondly, when a punter transacts, the process is fast and direct to or from the account, leaving nothing to chance. M-Pesa also caters for a wide array of customers by allowing a minimum of Ksh. 10 and a maximum of Ksh. 70,000 in deposits.

Also, deposits are more straightforward when using M-Pesa, especially in countries that are still heavy on using cash as opposed to cards. M-Pesa allows bettors to make deposits at retail outlets, provided they have mobile phones with Safaricom SIM cards that have been M-Pesa-enabled, from just about any corner of the country.

The payment method is now incredibly trusted and easy-to-use. One of the biggest benefits of using M-Pesa to make bets online is the fact that it guarantees you safe, secure and reliable online transfers.

You’ll never be left wondering whether you’re actually going to receive your money or not. And it’s fair to say it’s an incredibly well-regulated payment method too.

All transactions are carried out using state-of-the-art encryption technology, and this ensures that your personal details are safe and secure at all times. We also like the fact that the payment method is funded using real cash outlets. This means that you can enjoy the benefits of it without needing to have debit and credit cards or E-Wallets.

On the downside, M-Pesa services attract a transaction fee. The fee varies with the amount of your transaction as per the service provider’s charges and rates. Where a bookie is unregistered with the service provider, the rates might be higher.

Although it’s worth pointing out that the fees only really start to become large when you’re making large transfers.

It’s also not as widely available as some of the other payment methods you’ll find online. So finding bookies that offer M-Pesa as a banking option can be slightly harder.

Depositing and Withdrawing with M-Pesa at Bookmakers

M-PESA is arguably not a top choice for bettors who are fond of placing bets worth a lot of money. M-PESA regulates maximum transaction per day by capping it at Ksh. 140,000 and Ksh. 70,000 per single transaction.

However, customers who make bets worth moderate amounts, withdrawal and depositing is convenient and instant. Below is a comparison of some popular betting companies withM-PESA, in light of their speed of transfers and limits.

  • Limitations
  • M-Pesa has transaction fees on cash transfers
  • Possible theft when one accesses your M-PESA PIN

Deposit Times, Fees & Limits

decor image decor image
Betting Site Deposit speed Free Limits Min/Max
Betway

Instant

Ksh10 - Unlimited

22Bet

Instant

Ksh10 - Unlimited

Betika

Instant

Ksh10 - Ksh 300,000/day

PremierBet

Instant

Ksh10 - Ksh 50,000,000/day

Withdrawal Times, Fees & Limits

decor image decor image
Betting Site Withdrawal speed Free Limits Min/Max
Betway

Instant

Ksh10

22Bet

Instant

Ksh10

Betika

Instant

Ksh10

PremierBet

Instant

Ksh10

Alternative payment options

Alternative payment options
Bookmaker VISA Mastercard PayPal Skrill
888Sport £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £5,500 £5 ? £5,500
22bet £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £5,500 £5 ? £5,500
Betika £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £5,500 £5 ? £5,500
Betway £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £20,000 £5 ? £5,500 £5 ? £5,500

Below are some of the most popular options for betting:

  • Neteller

    is an online payment system with an extensive history. It combines flexibility and security with ease of use

  • Skrill

    is one of the world’s largest payment processing systems online and is supported in many countries all over the world.

  • MasterCard

    is one of the biggest financial companies on the planet, and one of the default credit card choices.

  • Bitcoin

    The most famous cryptocurrency in the world. Doesn't require lengthy introductions.

Overall

Finding online sports betting sites that accept M-Pesa can be tough – and that’s one of the main reasons why we’ve compiled a list of the best M-Pesa betting sites here on this page.

All the sites that you see on this page have been hand-picked by our team of online gambling experts. And if you choose to bet with one of these sites, you can rest assured you’ll enjoy a safe, high-quality and fair online gambling experience at all times.

When our team of experts is putting a review together, they look at a number of factors. This includes, for example, the variety of betting markets which the bookie offers, along with whether or not the main welcome bonus is generous.

There’s a ton of factors that our team look at, and if we feel as though a bookie doesn’t meet the mark, then we won’t recommend them here on our website – it’s as simple as that.

Several betting bookies that accept M-PESA have flooded the market. The favourites that appeal to the masses are almost obvious- even from the manner of roadside advertising on buildings.

From the discourse, it is clear that accessibility, convenience, safety and real-time transactions are what keep customers loyal to M-PESA as a mode of payment to bookies.

However, precautions to prevent being duped into losing money by disclosing your PIN should always be taken. Getting and using M-PESA is a very simplified process.

All in all, M-PESA has proven to be a reliable manner of navigating the betting waters, especially for those who place small bets at a time.

If you are a big-bettor, consider alternative payment methods. Otherwise, it’s always a good day to place a bet with M-PESA!

Review Author

Aigar Shilvan

Aigar Shilvan

Hello, my name is Aigar. Big fan of World cups and the Euros with over 13 years of experience in the gambling/betting world industry.