Since very few Africans have access to a bank account, Kenyan bookmakers work differently to enable their customers to place bets in the most comfortable conditions. Here are some essential solutions to bet in Kenya without a bank account.
Solutions for Betting Without having a Bank account
Alternative payment methods
In sports betting, payment methods are very important. Above all, they must be secure and adapted to the context of the bettors. Indeed, the bank transfer is classic and appreciated by default by most bettors. It allows an almost instantaneous transaction. The main cards used are VISA, Mastercard or Maestro. However, in Africa, very few people have bank accounts and can therefore use them for their transactions with bookmakers. Bookmakers operating in Kenya have therefore understood this and offer several other payment methods that are much more accessible to the majority of punters.
#1
Appropriate methods
| Currencies: KES, EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Payeer, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
LigdiCash |
| Others:
Qiwi, Sticpay, Perfect Money |
| Cryptos:
30+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Monero, Dash, Ethereum... |
The right resources
| Currencies: KES, dollar, EURO |
| The essentials:
M-pesa Kenya, Skrill, Bank cards |
| Specific:
Perfect Monney, Jeton, Airtm |
| Others:
Sticpay, Pay Do, Neteller |
| Cryptos:
+9 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Dodecoin, Litecoin, Ethereum... |
Appropriate methods
| Currencies: Kenyan Shilling |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Payeer, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
Airtel, MTN |
| Others:
Bank transfer |
| Cryptos:
None |
All the classics
| Currencies: EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
MuchBetter & OrbPay |
| Cryptos:
Transfers via CryptoPay |
Another problem with bank transfers is that African banks do not like their customers to engage in sports betting. This is a hindrance for players who even have a bank account.
However, there are very simple methods of depositing and withdrawing money on an online betting platform if you are in Kenya.
Alternatives are:
- Prepaid cards,
- Crypto-currency,
- Payments by phone.
Prepaid cards
Some bookmakers operating in Africa also allow prepaid cards. However, this method of payment is at first relatively protocol and not easily accessible to punters on the African continent. For this method, you need to go to a prepaid card provider's shop and take a card of the same value as the amount of money you are handing over. The code on this card will allow you to pay your bets on the gambling sites. Another negative point with this payment method is that you have a deadline to use all the money on the card. After that, you lose your money. So it is not a very attractive payment route for the standard Kenyan punter.
Crypto-currencies
Crypto-currencies are virtual currencies that are increasingly used in different countries and continents around the world. In Africa and in Kenya in particular, many people are interested and investing in them. Bitcoin is the best known and most widely used e-money to date. However, several other similar currencies exist, such as Ethereum and Litecoin.
Some bookmakers offer this payment method to make it easier for players. A considerable advantage of this method is that your bank details and information do not have to be disclosed and the risk of nasty surprises is reduced. 1xbet for example is a bookmaker accessible in Kenya that accepts crypto currencies.
#1
Appropriate methods
| Currencies: KES, EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Payeer, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
LigdiCash |
| Others:
Qiwi, Sticpay, Perfect Money |
| Cryptos:
30+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Monero, Dash, Ethereum... |
The right resources
| Currencies: KES, dollar, EURO |
| The essentials:
M-pesa Kenya, Skrill, Bank cards |
| Specific:
Perfect Monney, Jeton, Airtm |
| Others:
Sticpay, Pay Do, Neteller |
| Cryptos:
+9 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Dodecoin, Litecoin, Ethereum... |
All the classics
| Currencies: EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
MuchBetter & OrbPay |
| Cryptos:
Transfers via CryptoPay |
If you adopt this payment method, it will certainly become a criterion for choosing your bookmaker, as not all of them currently offer it.
Payments via GSM networks
In order to enable all those who wish to bet online in Africa to do so without great difficulty, bookmakers often enter into partnerships with GSM network operators. In several other African countries, a network such as MT, for example, makes it easier for players. Only established in 1994, this network estimates that it has gained 560 million subscribers on the African continent. It offers a bill payment service called MTN Mobile Money. With this service, nearly 30 million Africans are said to be moving around with their banks in their pockets. Orange also offers a similar service.
Opening an MTN Mobile Money account is simple and free. The country's punters can therefore use it to make their deposits and collect their winnings discreetly.
Bookmakers that accept MTN Mobile Money include 1xbet, Premier bet and others. Accessing this service is very easy whether it is with one bookmaker or another. At 1xbet Kenya, you need to go to the "Reload" section and select MTN. Fill in your MTN account information and validate just by giving the amount. The operator will be able to send you an SMS to confirm the transaction and that's it.
#1
Appropriate methods
| Currencies: KES, EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Payeer, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
LigdiCash |
| Others:
Qiwi, Sticpay, Perfect Money |
| Cryptos:
30+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Monero, Dash, Ethereum... |
The right resources
| Currencies: KES, dollar, EURO |
| The essentials:
M-pesa Kenya, Skrill, Bank cards |
| Specific:
Perfect Monney, Jeton, Airtm |
| Others:
Sticpay, Pay Do, Neteller |
| Cryptos:
+9 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Dodecoin, Litecoin, Ethereum... |
Appropriate methods
| Currencies: Kenyan Shilling |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Payeer, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
Airtel, MTN |
| Others:
Bank transfer |
| Cryptos:
None |
All the classics
| Currencies: EURO, dollar |
| The essentials:
Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz |
| Specific:
MuchBetter & OrbPay |
| Cryptos:
Transfers via CryptoPay |
Summary:
| The betting guide | in Kenya |
| without a bank account | is on this page on Kamabet |
