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Are There Betting Sites Without Tax in Kenya?

28 August 2022

In this article, we will answer the very important question of taxation on betting sites in Kenya.

So. Are there betting sites without tax in Kenya?

Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no legal betting sites without tax in Kenya.

If you find a betting site that does not have all the tax charges, then that site is operating illegally in the country.

Such a site is not licensed and registered in Kenya, and is therefore unsafe and untrustworthy.

As a policy on My Betting Sites Kenya, we do not endorse unlicensed betting sites.

What we have done is to compile a list of the best legal betting sites in Kenya so that you will have the best betting experience.

Best Legal Betting Sites in Kenya

  1. No Longer Active in Kenya

  2. Bonus Up To Ksh. 19,000
    100% Deposit Bonus

    Get 100% extra bonus money up to Ksh. 15,000 when you make your first deposit

  3. 100% Up To Ksh. 15,000

  4. Get Up To Ksh. 26,280

    Receive a welcome bonus worth 200% of your initial deposit up to Ksh. 20,000. Example: Deposit Ksh. 5000 = Receive a Ksh. 10,000 as welcome bonus.

  5. High Odds and Numerous Promos

Most Common Questions about Betting Sites without Tax

🙋‍♂️ Are there betting sites with no tax in Kenya?

Yes, there are betting sites with no tax in Kenya, but such sites are operating illegally in the country.

All licensed and legal betting sites have tax.

We recommend that you sign up with a licensed betting site, and avoid the dangers of illegal operators.

💰 How much do I have to pay as betting tax?

Kenyan players pay a 7.5% tax on their betting stakes, and an additional 20% on all winnings.

🤔 Do all betting sites in Kenya have tax?

Yes, all legal betting sites have tax in Kenya. Any betting site that does not have tax is not licensed to operate in the country.

🌎 Do international betting sites have tax?

Yes, international betting sites with operating licenses in Kenya have tax. According to Kenyan betting laws, all betting sites, local or international, must meet all their tax requirements in order to operate freely in Kenya.

❓ How much tax do I have to pay on my stake?

At the moment, the betting tax in stake is 7.5%. This means that for every Ksh 100 you stake, you pay a tax of Ksh 7.5.

💡 Do I have to pay tax on my winnings?

Yes, you have to pay a 20% withholding tax on your winnings.

When you win your bets, you will only get 80% of your winnings. Betting sites are directed to withhold the remaining 20% and remit to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

🙄 How can I evade paying betting taxes in Kenya?

If you do not want to pay betting taxes in Kenya, you have to join an offshore betting site that is not licensed in Kenya.

However, joining such a site is dangerous. Since they are not licensed in Kenya, their integrity and safety cannot be guaranteed.

Also, if you ever run into any problems with the site, perhaps they are refusing to pay your winnings, you will not be able to lodge a complaint with Kenyan authorities.

Hence, we advise readers to stay away with betting sites with no tax, and choose licensed betting bookies.

📉 Which betting sites have low tax in Kenya?

Unfortunately, all betting sites have the same tax charges in Kenya. They all have 7.5% tax on stake and 20% withholding tax on winnings. These are the standard rates stipulated by the Kenyan government.

Why you Should Avoid Betting Sites Without Tax

If you search hard enough, you will find a few betting sites without tax in Kenya (we can name some names but we will not do that!).

Like we stated earlier, such sites would be operating illegally.

Joining an illegal betting site comes with certain dangers, some of which are stated below.

Dangers of Unlicensed Betting Sites

❌ The betting site may be a scam site

Think about it: Why would a betting site be operating in a country when it is not ready to follow the rules and laws of that country?

Should you trust a betting site like that? We think not!

If an operator can find a way around Kenyan regulations and operate illegally, then it is possible that they can do other shady things.

Such a site could potentially not activate your deposit, or maybe refuse to pay your winnings.

If that happens, (we hope not!), you will only have yourself to blame.

📵 No M-Pesa Deposits and Withdrawals

Another big disadvantage of betting sites without tax is that they do not have M-Pesa deposits and withdrawals.

Kenyan betting laws stipulate that for a betting site to be granted an M-Pesa paybill number, the operator must be registered with the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).

Hence, if you are insistent on using a betting site without tax, you will have to find other deposit and withdrawal methods.

🔓 Insecurity of personal and financial details

This is a follow-up from the previous point. The fact that betting sites without tax do not have M-Pesa means that you have to use other methods for your transactions.

It is very likely that you are required to submit some important banking details on the site while making a deposit.

Also, using a betting site involves giving out some of your most important personal details to the site.

Since the security of the site cannot be guaranteed, your financial and personal details may fall into the wrong hands, possibly impersonators or fraudsters.

⭕ No Customer Protection

If you ever feel cheated or scammed by a betting site, you have a right to lodge a complaint to Kenyan authorities.

But that is only if the betting site is licensed and registered in Kenya.

Because a betting site is not registered in Kenya, it is not accountable to Kenyan authorities.

This means that the site, whether deliberately or not, can do as it likes, without regard to any Kenyan laws.

And if you ever have a reason to complain about the site, you will not be able to report the bookie to the government.

This is one of the main reasons that we advise our readers to join registered betting sites.

Betting Taxes in Kenya

Having gone through the dangers of signing up with betting sites without taxes in Kenya, let us now have a look at the betting taxes that are operational in the Kenyan market.

7.5% Tax on Stake

Betting sites in Kenya are mandated to impose a 7.5% tax on all stakes. In other words, all Kenyan bettors must pay a 7.5% tax on their stakes.

For example, if you stake Ksh. 1000, you will pay a betting tax of Ksh 75. Hence, your actual stake will be Ksh 925, while Ksh 75 goes to the government.

This betting tax in stake has been the subject of many debates and changes in the last few years.

Recently, some Kenyan lawmakers proposed that the tax should be increased to 20%, but that proposal wasn't passed into law.

Betting Tax in Kenya

20% Withholding Tax on Winnings

Not only do Kenyan bettors pay tax on stake, we also pay betting sites on our winnings!

So if we are fortunate enough to win our bets, we have to let go of some of that money to tax.

Yes it is annoying, but it is what it is!

To be fair, the Kenyan government seems to be putting our tax to good use.

The betting tax on winnings in Kenya is 20%.

So if you are win, say, Ksh 10,000, betting sites in Kenya are mandated to withhold Ksh 2000, and remit to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Betting Tax

Betting Tax on Company Revenue

Thankfully, this tax is not applicable to us! This one is solely shouldered by the bookmaker.

According to Kenyan betting laws, betting sites are mandated to pay 15% of their Gross Gaming Revenue to the government every month.

This betting tax is expected to be paid on the 20th of every month.

Gross Gaming Revenue refers to the total revenue made by the bookie, minus the amount paid to customers as winnings.

Failure to pay this betting tax attracts sanctions and penalties from Kenyan authorities.

Join a Legal Betting Site in Kenya
David Mwangi

David Mwangi

Given the relatively high betting tax charges in Kenya, it is understandable that bettors would want to find betting sites without tax.

Everyday, we receive thousands of questions from our readers, wanting to know if there are sites that don't have tax.

That is why we have written this article- to answer that question in the best possible way.

There are betting sites without tax, but those sites are unlicensed and therefore unsafe.

We advise that you stick to betting sites with tax, bet responsibly, and hopefully make some nice winnings.

Feel free to choose from any of the sites in the list below.

Betway Kenya: Recommended Legal Betting Site

7.5% tax on stake; 20% tax on winnings

If you are looking for a betting site with a proven track record of safety and quality, then you should have a look at betway Kenya.

Betway is present in many countries around the world. They have a Kenyan site that is wonderfully customized for Kenyan players.

Easy Deposits and Withdrawals; Great Sportsbook

On Betway Kenya, you can deposit and withdraw Kenyan shillings via M-Pesa, and enjoy a wide variety of betting options and features.

Undoubtedly, betway is one of the top licensed betting sites in Kenya.


Licensed Betting Sites in Kenya

  1. No Longer Active in Kenya

  2. Bonus Up To Ksh. 19,000
    100% Deposit Bonus

    Get 100% extra bonus money up to Ksh. 15,000 when you make your first deposit

  3. 100% Up To Ksh. 15,000

  4. Get Up To Ksh. 26,280

    Receive a welcome bonus worth 200% of your initial deposit up to Ksh. 20,000. Example: Deposit Ksh. 5000 = Receive a Ksh. 10,000 as welcome bonus.

  5. High Odds and Numerous Promos