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Kenya has some of the highest betting taxes in Africa, with the government collecting 5% excise tax on deposits and 5% withholding tax on winnings.
However, some betting sites have decided to cover these taxes on behalf of their customers.
22Bet and Betwinner are tax-free bookies
22Bet and Betwinner are two bookies that have taken the burden of taxation off their customers.
Rather than allowing users to pay the tax, these two betting sites pay off the tax amount to the government.
When you deposit on these sites, you get your full deposit. Similarly, when you withdraw your winnings, you will be paid in full.
Avoid Unlicensed Tax-Free Betting Sites
We can recommend 22Bet and Betwinner because they are licensed by the Gambling Authority of Kenya.
They are safe and trustworthy bookmakers that follow all the rules of the country.
Some unlicensed betting sites also parade themselves as tax-free, but you should avoid using these bookies because they may be scam sites.
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 unlicensed betting sites without taxes in Kenya, let us now have a look at the betting taxes that are operational in the Kenyan market.
5% Tax on Deposits
Betting sites in Kenya are mandated to impose a 5% tax on all stakes. In other words, all Kenyan bettors must pay a 5% tax on their stakes.
For example, if you deposit Ksh. 1000, you will pay a betting tax of Ksh 50. Hence, your actual stake will be Ksh 950, while Ksh 50 goes to the government.
Please note that some betting sites like 22Bet and Betwinner have opted to pay these taxes to the government on behalf of their customers.
This betting tax in deposit has been the subject of many debates and changes in the last few years.
It was previously taxed on stakes, but now the tax applies to all deposits, even if you haven't placed any bets yet.
5% Withholding Tax on Winnings
Not only do Kenyan bettors pay tax on deposits, we also pay betting taxes 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!
The betting tax on winnings in Kenya is 5%.
So if you are win, say, Ksh 10,000, betting sites in Kenya are mandated to withhold Ksh 500, and remit to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
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
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.
In theory, there are no legal betting sites without tax, but as we mentioned earlier, some bookies have taken it upon themselves to cover the tax. If you really want to avoid the tax, then use the betting sites we have recommended.
Do not use unlicensed, unsafe bookies.
Above all, bet responsibly, and hopefully make some nice winnings.
Most Common Questions about Betting Sites without Tax
Yes, there are betting sites with no tax in Kenya, but only because the sites have opted to pay the taxes for their customers.
In theory, all licensed and legal betting sites have tax.
Some bookies like 22Bet, Betwinner and Bangbet cover the taxes for their customers.
Kenyan players pay a 5% tax on their betting deposits, and an additional 5% on all winnings.
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.
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.
At the moment, there is no betting tax on stake. However, all bookies are mandated to remove 5% on all deposits and withdrawals.
Yes, you have to pay a 5% withholding tax on your winnings.
When you win your bets, you will only get 95% of your winnings. Betting sites are directed to withhold the remaining 5% and remit to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
If you do not want to pay betting taxes in Kenya, you have to join a betting site that has opted to cover the tax for customers.
Alternatively, you can use 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.
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.
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