Betting with M-Pesa in Kenya

Almost every bet in Kenya is paid for with M-Pesa. Deposits take seconds, withdrawals usually arrive within minutes, and you never have to share card details. This guide explains how to deposit and withdraw, what it costs, which limits and taxes apply, and how to avoid the Paybill scams that target bettors.

Use only operators licensed in Kenya. Their Paybill numbers are registered in the company's name, and the regulator can act if something goes wrong. Read our guide to licensed betting in Kenya for how to check a licence.

Licensed betting sites — Kenya · M-Pesa

1. 1

   1xBet

   Licence: Betting Control and Licensing Board (Kenya) (No. 0001232, No. 0001233)

   Operator: ADVANCED GUILD LIMITED

   Read our review →

   200% first deposit bonus up to KES 20,000

   Min. deposit KES 112. Half 5x on accumulators (3+ selections at 1.40+), half 30x in 1xGames, 30 days

   • No 1xBet fees on M-Pesa or Airtel Money deposits and withdrawals
   • Withdrawals from KES 100, usually within 15 minutes

   Payments: M-Pesa, Airtel Money · Min. deposit KES 10 (Airtel Money), KES 40 (M-Pesa)

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   18+ · T&Cs apply

Terms checked: 16 October 2026

How to deposit with M-Pesa

There are two ways to deposit. Both end with the same check: the business name on your phone must match the operator.

Option 1: STK push from the betting site

1. Log in to your betting account and choose Deposit → M-Pesa.
2. Enter the amount. Your phone number is usually filled in from your account.
3. An M-Pesa prompt appears on your phone. Check the business name and the amount.
4. Enter your M-Pesa PIN. The money usually shows in your betting account within a minute.

If no prompt appears, make sure your phone is unlocked and has network, then try again. Do not send the same deposit twice before checking your M-Pesa messages: the first one may already have gone through.

Option 2: Lipa na M-Pesa Pay Bill

1. Find the operator's Paybill number on its official website or app. Never take it from an SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or social media post.
2. On your phone, open M-Pesa → Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill.
3. Enter the business number, then the account number the operator asks for. This is often your phone number or account ID.
4. Enter the amount and your PIN.
5. Before confirming, check that the name shown is the operator's registered company name.

Keep the M-Pesa confirmation SMS until the money appears in your betting account. Its transaction code is what support will ask for if a deposit goes missing.

How to withdraw to M-Pesa

1. Open Withdraw in your betting account and choose M-Pesa.
2. Enter the amount. Licensed operators pay out only to the M-Pesa number registered in your name.
3. Most withdrawals arrive within minutes. Your first withdrawal may take longer if the operator asks you to confirm your ID.

If a withdrawal is marked as paid but has not arrived, contact the operator's support with the withdrawal ID. Anyone who asks for a "release fee" to unlock your winnings is a scammer: licensed operators never charge you to withdraw your own money.

Limits and charges

	M-Pesa limit
Per transaction	KES 250,000
Per day	KES 500,000
Maximum M-Pesa balance	KES 500,000

Betting operators also set their own minimum deposit and maximum withdrawal, so check the payments page in your account.

Any M-Pesa charge depends on Safaricom's tariff for the Paybill. The operator does not set it. Your confirmation SMS always shows the transaction cost, so check it after your first deposit.

Taxes on deposits and winnings

Kenya has changed its betting taxes almost every year since 2023. At the time of writing:

• Excise duty is charged on money you deposit for betting. The amount credited to your betting account can therefore be lower than the amount you sent from M-Pesa.
• Winnings are taxed again. From 1 July 2026, the Finance Act 2026 reinstated a 20% withholding tax on betting winnings, reversing the 2025 change to a tax on withdrawals.

Your licensed operator deducts these taxes and must show them on your bet slip or account statement. Rely on those figures, not on screenshots shared online.

Avoid Paybill scams

• Check the name. If the business name on the M-Pesa prompt is not the operator's company name, cancel.
• Never share your M-Pesa PIN. No operator and no Safaricom employee will ever ask for it.
• "I sent you money by mistake" messages are a common trick. Check your actual M-Pesa balance before sending anything back, and forward suspicious SMS to 333, Safaricom's free fraud reporting number.
• If your operator's Paybill stops working, check the operator's official website or app for news. Payment channels can be suspended by regulatory orders. Do not switch to "alternative" numbers circulating online.

Airtel Money

Some licensed operators also accept Airtel Money. It works in a similar way: either approve a prompt sent to your phone or pay the operator's Airtel Money business number through the Airtel Money menu. The same rules apply: official numbers only, check the business name, never share your PIN.

Bet only what you can afford

M-Pesa makes betting very easy, which is exactly why limits matter:

• Set a deposit limit in your betting account. Licensed operators must offer one.
• Never bet with Fuliza, mobile loans or money meant for rent, school fees or loan repayments. If Fuliza is on, it can quietly cover a deposit that is larger than your balance.
• Our bankroll management guide explains how to size stakes so a losing run does not empty your wallet.