International Betting Sites That Accept M-Pesa

If you are a Kenyan bettor, you have probably already used or at least heard of M-Pesa. Founded in 2007, by Safaricom (a subsidiary of Vodafone), it has since become the most widely used mobile payment method in Kenya and the African continent. It has an immense impact on the Kenyan economy as almost half of the country’s GDP was processed over M-Pesa.

As the most popular payment service in Kenya, it has paired up with some of the most reputable bookmakers. In our detailed guide, you will be able to gain insight into all M-Pesa aspects:

 ᐉ A detailed description of using M-Pesa and depositing to your preferred bookmaker
 ᐉ An up-to-date (2024) list of M-Pesa bookmakers
 ᐉ All the advantages and disadvantages of M-Pesa betting sites

Why Choose a Safaricom Betting Site 

Betting with M-Pesa has revolutionized the way players deposit to bookmakers. Among the advantages of using that payment are convenience, reliability, and the massive availability. However, the most significant benefits are the following:

✔ Banking services without an account or credit card: Bettors can deposit and withdraw to a Safaricom betting site without resorting to a banking institution. This means that they can avoid all the hassle of creating a bank account.

✔ Available in a vast network of retailers: More than 400.000 agents operate throughout Africa and process payments.

✔ Eligible for Welcome offers: There are no restrictions regarding the Welcome Bonus. If you deposit to an M-Pesa betting site, you can claim sign up promos.

✔ Ease of use: A visit to a retailer is enough for payments to go through. You can also connect M-Pesa to your account in Payeer betting sites and make transactions.

✔ Handy mobile app: A fast and convenient application lets you check your balance on the go.

Why you should avoid an M-Pesa betting site

❌ Low limits for deposits: Even after the recent amendments, the maximum daily amount transaction limit stands at 150.000 KES. That is considered relatively small for high rollers.

❌ Transaction fees: Payments are subject to certain charges, and that can be high if you use M-Pesa daily.

❌ Not so popular in bookmakers: Since this payment option operates mainly in Kenya, there is a lack of Mpesa bookmakers, especially international ones..

❌ Vulnerable to scams: Several members have fallen to scams, such as receiving calls or text messages that someone has mistakenly sent them money and asking for a refund.

Now that we have taken a look at all pros and cons and how to bet on M-Pesa sports betting sites it is also crucial to learn why it is safe and legal to deposit with it. Also, we will see in which countries the payment operates and if there are any good alternatives.

Is M-Pesa legal and safe?

Safaricom owns M-Pesa. The company’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is the primary regulatory authority. The Central Bank of Kenya authorized the Mobile money transfers and the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is responsible for gambling-related issues.

Regarding safety, before you proceed with any transaction, you need to enter your PIN code. Account-holders can set as an extra step before they make a transaction to be requested for ID details to ensure the safety of the transfer. Moreover, users can check their M-Pesa balance through an SMS system and ask for proof of transaction.

Best M-Pesa Sports Betting Sites

Our top-rated international betting sites that accept M-Pesa offer to players unique bonuses, instant withdrawals and low fees. Go ahead and try them out to make the most of your betting activity.

How Does M-Pesa Betting Work

It is straightforward to deposit money with M-Pesa. All you need is a Vodafone or Safaricom mobile number and visit one of the 400.000 retailers across Africa. After you provide your ID, your mobile number will be linked to a mobile money account. That’s all. Now, you can charge your account by following the steps below.

• 1
  Visit an M-Pesa retailer
• 2
  Inform them about the amount you want to deposit
• 3
  Once finished, you will get a text message, confirming the payment

Simple and easy. Depositing to your favorite M-Pesa bookmakers is just as quick and effortless:

• 1
  Launch the M-Pesa app on your phone
• 2
  Tap on ‘’Lipa Na M-PESA”
• 3
  Select ‘’Pay Bill’’
• 4
  Enter the bookmaker’s Paybill number
• 5
  Do the same with your account number or username on your bookie and the amount you want to deposit
• 6
  Enter the M-Pesa PIN
• 7
  When the payment is complete, you will receive a text message on your phone

And you are ready to bet with M-Pesa. When you want to receive your winnings, you select ‘’Withdraw’’ from the banking page of your betting site and select the amount. Then fill out your M-Pesa number, and once the process is complete, the funds will be in your mobile account instantly.

How to bet in Paybill

Each bookmaker that operates in Kenya has a unique number that is called Paybill. It is used to the M-Pesa app as an identifier of the merchant that you want to send funds to. Every transaction that goes through M-Pesa requires a Paybill number to complete. In the following table you can find all Paybill numbers for M-Pesa betting sites.

M-Pesa fees for deposits and withdrawals

Transactions with M-Pesa above a certain amount are subject to fees. However, they are pretty low if you consider other payment methods. The amount of M-Pesa rates fluctuates with the sum of funds. Topping up your account is always free, withdrawal fees start at 10 KES for payouts above 50 KES.

Transfer money to unregistered users will cost you 45 KES for 101 KES - 500 KES, and to registered users, the charges start at 1001 KES. Mpesa withdrawal charges start at 100 KES with 34 KES. You can find all the fees in detail here: https://www.safaricom.co.ke/personal/m-pesa/getting-started/m-pesa-rates

Which are the countries that use M-Pesa

Established in Kenya, the country still acts as the primary market for M-Pesa. More than half of the country's citizens use it for every kind of payment. However, it has recently expanded to other African countries.

A total of 37 million people are active users of the service, and the company is looking to launch to other continents as well. Below you can take a look at some of the African countries where M-Pesa is popular for betting transactions.

⏩ International Betting Sites in Kenya

⏩ Betting Sites in Tanzania

⏩ Best Betting Sites in Ghana

Is betting with M-Pesa worth it

With a dominant presence in the Kenyan market, more bookmakers consider including M-Pesa as a banking option. It is the most convenient option for bettors in Kenya with wide merchant availability and instant transactions.

However, there is still a significant absence of M-Pesa bookmakers. Only a handful offer it as a payment method, a very limiting factor to the player. On top of that, there are frequent reports of scams related to M-Pesa, making someone concerned about his funds' safety.

To sum up, until M-Pesa gets a broader availability to operators and improves security, bettors in Kenya better use a wallet such as Skrill or Neteller.

Complete list of bookmakers with M-Pesa

International betting sites that accept M-Pesa offer quick transactions and high odds on football markets. Pick your preferable bookmaker from the list below and make the most of your deposits.