Mobile Money for betting in Kenya

Mobile Money is the most popular payment method for betting in Kenya. This should not be surprising since Kenya is one of the biggest users of mobile money services on the continent. Mobile money services are well-established and widespread in Kenya. There are about 60 million mobile money subscribers in the country. Up to 96% of households own a Mobile Money account.

The two Mobile Money services used for betting in Kenya are M-Pesa by Safaricom and Airtel Money from Airtel. Mpesa is the dominant market leader and is by far the most widely used. Airtel Money also provides good services but cannot match Mpesa’s reach. There is a third Mobile Money service called T-Kash from Telkom Kenya but it has not been widely adopted so it is not offered as a payment option by betting companies.

Mobile money Kenya

Tip: Check out our free betting tips page and enjoy increased winnings from our expert predictions

Why is Mobile Money popular in Kenya?

Kenya enjoys a high mobile penetration among its population and this tremendously boosted the growth of sports betting. A great majority of betting customers in Kenya access the services primarily through their mobile phones. Mobile Money offers the opportunity to make deposits and withdrawals conveniently through the phone at any time or place.

Many people prefer to use mobile money over banks and credit cards for payments within the allowed limit. Mobile Money has been integrated as a payment method for a wide range of financial transactions, including paying bills, wages, shopping, and betting payments.

Mobile money is seen as an easy and convenient payment method for moving both small and large amounts. The process is simple and one only needs to provide their PIN number. It immediately became a preferred payment method when online sports betting became popular in Kenya. Read more about other betting payment methods in Kenya here.

How to use Mpesa MOMO for betting?

M-Pesa was launched in 2007 in several countries but it was in Kenya that it enjoyed immediate success. In Kenya, Mpesa service is provided by Safaricom, the largest mobile telecommunications company in the country. You need to have a registered mobile phone number in order to use Mpesa services. Safaricom M-pesa transactions are done only in Kenyan shillings (KES).

You can fund your Mpesa account by depositing cash money with an Mpesa Agent who will process it to make it reflect in your Mpesa account. You can also transfer money from a bank account or debit/credit card to your Mpesa account, or receive mobile money from another Mpesa or Mobile Money account.

All the leading betting companies in the Kenyan market offer M-Pesa as a payment method for making deposits and withdrawals. They include Betway, 22Bet, Betwinner, 1XBet and other betting sites. For some upcoming bookmakers like Sportybet and Odibets, it is the only payment method available.

Betting companies that allow Mpesa payments are provided with a unique M-Pesa business number from Safaricom that is popularly known as Paybill number. This is a 5-or-6 digit number that identifies the bookmaker’s M-pesa account where payments are made into. The betting companies will actively promote their Paybill numbers. You can also enquire from Safaricom.

When you are funding your betting account using Mpesa, you will be required to enter the Bookmaker’s Paybill number as part of the process. You will also be asked for ‘Account Number’ to identify who is making the payment. The ‘Account Number’ in this case can be your phone number, ID number, betting account number, name of the bookmaker, or even blank depending on the bookmaker.

Mpesa Kenya paybill

M-Pesa Paybill Numbers for Bookmakers

Score
TOP
Betway MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 880185 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
TOP
22Bet MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 895599 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
Betwinner MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 998989 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
Sportpesa MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 5212121 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
Betika MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 290290 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
Odibets MPESA Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 290680 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

How to deposit using Mpesa

Here is the general process for making deposits into your betting account using Mpesa:

  1. Open the M-Pesa menu on your phone
  2. Select ‘Lipa Na Mpesa’ and then choose ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the bookmaker’s business number/Paybill number
  4. Enter the ‘Account number’ as required
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit
  6. Enter your M-pesa PIN number and then press ‘Send’
  7. You will receive an SMS from Safaricom confirming the transaction. Your bookmaker will also send you an SMS acknowledging the deposit.

Tip: Go and check out a deposit via MPesa at Melbet Kenya

Deposits via Mpesa are reflected immediately in your betting account. There are charges associated with using Mpesa services. You will be charged for each deposit transaction. Some bookmakers typically absorb these charges on behalf of their customers so that deposit transactions are free. They can also offer the costs back in the form of free bets.

How to use AIRTEL MONEY MOMO for betting?

Airtel Money is a Mobile Money service in Kenya and other countries in Africa and Asia. It is owned by the international mobile services company Bharti Airtel. Airtel Money in Kenya is the alternative to Safaricom’s Mpesa. Airtel Money has been competing primarily on offering cheaper mobile money services compared to its competitors. It represents one of the cheapest ways to deposit money into your betting account.

You need a registered Airtel mobile number in order to open an Airtel Money account. You can fund your Airtel Money account by depositing money with an Airtel Money Agent, or transferring money from your bank account or another Mobile Money account.

Airtel money Kenya

Bookmakers accepting Airtel Money for betting in Kenya have a unique Paybill number used for making payments into the betting account.

Airtel Money Paybill Numbers for Bookmakers

Score
TOP
Betway AIRTEL Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 880185 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
TOP
22Bet AIRTEL Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 895599 on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
1xBet AIRTEL Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code 1xbet on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Score
OK
Betika AIRTEL Paybill Number
Conditions:
Type in the code BETIKA on your phone & deposit instantly
Min. Deposit and Odds:
no restrictions

Once you have money in your Airtel Money account, you can follow these general steps to fund your betting account:

How to deposit using Airtel Money

  1. Open the Airtel Money menu on your phone and select ‘Make Payments’
  2. Under ‘Others’ select ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter your bookmaker’s Paybill number
  4. Enter bookmaker’s name as the ‘Business name’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit
  6. Enter your PIN number and press ‘Send’
  7. You will receive an SMS confirmation of the transaction from Airtel. Your bookmaker will also send SMS to confirm the addition of your deposit

Airtel Money transactions are instant and the money is immediately reflected in your betting account. There are costs involved but Airtel Money charges are the cheapest in the market.

Mobile Money on Betway Kenya

Betway Kenya accepts mobile payments from both M-pesa and Airtel Money. You can use mobile money services to deposit and withdraw money from your Betway account. The business number (Paybill number) for Betway Kenya is 880185 for both Mpesa and Airtel Money.

Betway Kenya Mobile Money

How to deposit with M-Pesa on Betway

  1. Open the M-Pesa menu on your phone
  2. Select ‘Lipa Na Mpesa’ and then choose ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the Betway business number/Paybill number – 880185
  4. Enter the ‘Account number’ as ‘Betway’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit
  6. Enter your M-pesa PIN number and then press ‘Send’
  7. You will receive an SMS from Safaricom confirming the transaction.

Alternatively, you can log into your Betway account, go to ‘Deposit’, select ‘Mpesa’ option, and follow the instructions to complete the transaction.

How to deposit with Airtel Money on Betway Kenya

  1. Go to Airtel MoneyΒ on your phone and select ‘Make Payments’
  2. Under ‘Others’ select ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the business number 880185
  4. Enter ‘Reference’ as ‘Betway’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit (Minimum KES 10)
  6. Enter your Airtel Money PIN number and press ‘Send’

Alternatively, you can log into your Betway account, go to ‘Deposit’, select the ‘Airtel Money’ option, and follow the instructions to complete the transaction.

Betway Kenya offers a 50% welcome bonus up to KES 5,000 on your first deposit. Take advantage of this offer quickly.

Mobile Money on 22Bet Kenya

22Bet Kenya accepts mobile money payments for both Mpesa and Airtel Money. Customers can use the Paybill number 895599 for both Mpesa and Airtel Money.

22bet Kenya mpesa deposit

How to deposit with M-Pesa on 22Bet Kenya

  1. Open the M-Pesa menu on your phone
  2. Select ‘Lipa Na Mpesa’ and then choose ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the 22Bet business number/Paybill number – 895599
  4. Enter the ‘Account number’ as ’22BET’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit
  6. Enter your M-pesa PIN number and then press ‘Send’
  7. You will receive an SMS from Safaricom confirming the transaction.

How to deposit with Airtel Money on 22Bet Kenya

  1. Go to Airtel MoneyΒ on your phone and select ‘Make Payments’
  2. Under ‘Others’ select ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the Airtel Money business number 895599
  4. Enter ‘Reference’ as ’22BET’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit (Minimum KES 10)
  6. Enter your Airtel Money PIN number and press ‘Send’

Read our 22Bet Kenya review and discover exciting offers and rewards from the bookmaker.

Mobile Money on Betika

Betika Kenya accepts both Mpesa and Airtel Money as payment options. Customers can make deposits and withdrawals through their registered mobile phone numbers.

Betika paybill

How to deposit with M-Pesa on Betika

  1. Open the M-Pesa menu on your phone
  2. Select ‘Lipa Na Mpesa’ and then choose ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the Betika business number/Paybill number – 290290
  4. Enter the ‘Account number’ as ‘BETIKA’
  5. Enter the amount you want to deposit
  6. Enter your M-pesa PIN number and then press ‘Send’
  7. You will receive an SMS from Safaricom confirming the transaction.

How to deposit with Airtel Money on Betika

  1. Go to Airtel MoneyΒ on your phone and select ‘Make Payments’
  2. Under ‘Others’ select ‘Paybill’
  3. Enter the business name as ‘BETIKA’
  4. Enter the amount you want to deposit and your PIN Number
  5. Enter the ‘Reference’ as ‘BETIKA’
  6. You will receive a confirmation message of the transaction

Betika also has a USSD Code *644# that you can use to top up your Betika account. Just follow these instructions.

  1. Dial *644# on your mobile phone
  2. Select option for ‘Deposit/Withdraw
  3. Reply with 1 for ‘Deposit’
  4. Enter the Amount you want to deposit
  5. Enter your Mpesa or Airtel Money PIN number as appropriate
  6. Your Betika account will be loaded instantly

Read our Betika Kenya review to learn more about the bookmaker and their offers.