Updated: 10 November 2026
A betting licence shows that an operator is allowed to offer gambling under Kenyan law and must follow Kenyan rules. Since the law changed, licences come from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). This guide explains the change, shows the GRA’s list of online licensed operators, and then gives you three ways to check a licence yourself and explains what to do if a site has none.
From BCLB to GRA: what changed
For years, betting in Kenya was licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). The Gambling Control Act, 2025 set up the GRA, which replaced the BCLB. The GRA’s website is gra.go.ke.
Here is the short timeline, as published on gra.go.ke:
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2025 | The Gambling Control Act, 2025 sets up the GRA in place of the BCLB. |
| 2026 | Regulations under the Act are published: Licensing Regulations (L.N. 111), Conduct of Gambling Operations Regulations (L.N. 112), Advertising Regulations (made 29 June 2026), Appeals Regulations and Foreign-Based Operator Regulations. |
| 18 August 2026 | A GRA notice extends existing licences to 24 September 2026 and opens applications for new licences under the 2025 Act. |
| 3 November 2026 | The GRA issues a notice of online licensed operators for the 2026/2027 financial year: 11 companies. It was uploaded to gra.go.ke on 4 November 2026. |
The GRA list of online licensed operators
On 3 November 2026 the GRA published this list of companies that hold online licences for the 2026/2027 financial year. We copied it from the GRA notice (PDF) on 10 November 2026. The order is the GRA’s, not ours, and being on the list is not a recommendation from us.
| No. | Company | Trading name | Licence (as listed by the GRA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milestone Games Limited | Sportpesa | Bookmaker |
| 2 | Shop And Deliver Ltd | Betika | Bookmaker & Casino |
| 3 | Kareco Holdings Limited | Odibets | Bookmaker & Casino |
| 4 | Norm Kick Off Kenya Limited | Pepeta | Bookmaker & Casino |
| 5 | Clarity Limited | Yowin | Bookmaker & Casino |
| 6 | Standard Global East Africa Ltd | Finix Casino /Sportpesa | Casino |
| 7 | Kensen Limited | Bongobongo | Casino |
| 8 | Rabow Co. Limited | Gamemania | Casino |
| 9 | Victorem Investments | Sportybet | Bookmaker & Casino |
| 10 | Games Dreams Technologies Ltd | Wezabet | Casino |
| 11 | Pabritech Limited | Betnare | Casino |
Keep these points in mind:
- Check the company, not only the brand. The list gives the company name and the trading name. The company named in the operator’s terms or website footer should match the list.
- The list will change. The GRA says it will be updated periodically. A brand that is not on the list may still be waiting for a licence, or may not have one. Do not deposit until you can confirm.
- A list on another website is not the official list. Only the GRA can publish that. Lists on blogs, videos and social media may be old, incomplete or made up.
- An old licence is not the full answer. The 18 August 2026 notice extended existing licences only to 24 September 2026. A certificate or list from the BCLB era does not show, on its own, that an operator holds a licence under the 2025 Act.
- Do not guess. If you cannot confirm a licence, treat the site as unlicensed until you can.
Step 1: Ask the operator for its GRA licence number
A licensed operator should be able to tell you its licence number without delay.
- Contact the operator’s customer support. Use chat or email rather than a phone call, so you have the answer in writing.
- Ask three questions: “What is your GRA licence number?”, “What is the name of the licensed company?” and “Was the licence issued under the Gambling Control Act, 2025?”
- Save the answer, for example as a screenshot, with the date.
If support does not answer, changes the subject or gives a number with no company name, that is a warning sign.
Step 2: Look for the GRA notice on the operator’s site
Look in these places:
- the bottom of the home page (the footer);
- the “About us” or “Company” page;
- the terms and conditions.
Check that the company name and licence number in the notice match what support told you, and that the same company name appears in the terms. Remember that a logo and a line of text are easy to copy. A notice on the site is a good start, but it is not proof on its own.
Step 3: Contact the GRA
The GRA has a toll-free line for customer support and gaming enquiries:
- 0800 723 770, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
When you call, have this ready:
- the name of the site and its web address;
- the company name the operator gave you;
- the licence number the operator gave you.
Write down the date of your call and what you were told. You can also read the Act and the regulations on gra.go.ke.
Sites based outside Kenya
Some betting sites are run from other countries and show a licence from a foreign regulator. A foreign licence does not show that a site is licensed by the GRA. The GRA has published separate Foreign-Based Operator Regulations. If you are unsure about a site based abroad, ask the GRA on 0800 723 770.
If a site has no licence
If you cannot confirm a GRA licence, the safest choice is not to use the site. If you already have an account there:
- Do not deposit more money. Not even to “unlock” a withdrawal: that is a common trick.
- Request a withdrawal of your balance through the site’s normal withdrawal page, to your own M-Pesa number.
- Keep records: screenshots of your account, your bet history, your M-Pesa confirmation messages and any chat with support.
- Do not install its app from an APK file, and remove it if you already have.
- Change your passwords if you used the same password elsewhere. Never share your M-Pesa PIN or a one-time code (OTP); Safaricom never asks for your PIN.
- Tell the GRA about the site on 0800 723 770. If you think you have been scammed, you can also report it to the police.
How we use the GRA list
We show only the GRA’s own list, with its date and a link to the source, and we check gra.go.ke every week. We do not copy lists from other websites, and we do not compare or rank the companies on the list. When the GRA updates its list, we update this page and date the change.
For a full checklist beyond the licence, see how to judge a betting site yourself.
Common questions
Is the BCLB still the regulator? No. The Gambling Control Act, 2025 set up the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which replaced the BCLB.
Is there an official list of licensed betting sites in Kenya? Yes. On 3 November 2026 the GRA published a notice of online licensed operators for the 2026/2027 financial year, with 11 companies. The list is on this page, with its date and a link to the GRA notice.
What age do you have to be to bet? Gambling is for adults 18 and over.
Where can I read the law? The Gambling Control Act, 2025 and the 2026 regulations are published on gra.go.ke. For tax and the main legal points, see betting law and tax in Kenya.
Related guides
- How to judge a betting site yourself
- Betting with M-Pesa
- How betting works
- Responsible gambling
- Back to the guide home page
Gambling is for adults 18 and over. Betting can become addictive. Only stake money you can afford to lose, and never bet to pay debts or bills.
- GRA toll-free line: 0800 723 770 (customer support and gaming enquiries, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
- Self-exclusion: you can ask operators to bar you for a set period, typically 6 months to 5 years. See the GRA self-exclusion process.
- NACADA helpline 1192: a free 24-hour counselling and referral line run by NACADA. It deals mainly with alcohol and drugs, and can refer you to treatment services.
- More help and tools: responsible gambling.