Affiliate disclosure: Gamblerfy may earn a commission if you open an account through some of the links on this page. It never changes our score, our ranking, or which brands appear — see how we rate.
Kenya's leading sportsbook, built around deep M-Pesa integration and mass-market accessibility
Not available lawfully hereIs Betika legal in Ethiopia?
No. Real-money gambling is banned in Ethiopia. Under the Ethiopian Lottery Service's nationwide revocation of every sports betting licence, effective 15 December 2025, in force since 2025, Betika cannot lawfully offer you a welcome bonus here, and you cannot lawfully claim one.
Ethiopia did not restrict betting - it abolished the licensed sector outright. On 15 December 2025 the Ethiopian Lottery Service revoked the licences of every sports betting operator in the country with immediate effect, covering online platforms, retail shops, agents and the payment services attached to them, after a twelve-month federal investigation found systemic breaches of operating terms and illicit money transfers. It followed the suspension of 22 firms in November accused of concealing more than 100 billion birr (about USD 1.8 billion). Banks and payment institutions were ordered to block transactions linked to the revoked operators. That last point is the one that matters to you: there is no longer a licensed operator in Ethiopia to claim a bonus from, and the payment rails to move money in or out have been shut off. Any site still taking Ethiopian bets is doing so without a licence, and no Ethiopian regulator can help you recover funds from it. source
Any Betika bonus you see advertised for Ethiopia is offered from an offshore site operating against local law. Your payments can be blocked, your account can vanish with a mirror domain, and no Ethiopia regulator can help you recover funds. We therefore show no offer and no sign-up link on this page. See every licensed betting site in Ethiopia →
Pros
- Deep, native M-Pesa integration used by 90% of its user base
- Kenya's leading sportsbook by user base, over 2 million customers
- Broad product: sportsbook, casino, virtuals, crash games
- Wide African footprint across 10 countries
- Established, widely recognised local brand
Cons
- No specific public BCLB licence number found
- Best suited to Kenyan/East African payment habits, less relevant elsewhere
- Bonus terms and product availability vary by market
- Casino/virtuals secondary to the core sportsbook
Our verdict
Betika started in 2016 as a simple SMS-only betting service in Nairobi and has grown into Kenya's leading sportsbook, now serving over 2 million customers with 90% of them paying via M-Pesa — a deep, native mobile-money integration (Paybill 290290) that's core to its success. Owned by Shop and Deliver Limited and co-founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Chris Mwirigi, Betika is licensed by Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board, though a specific public licence number wasn't found in research, a minor transparency gap for an otherwise well-established and widely recognised operator. Beyond Kenya, Betika has expanded into Tanzania, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi. If you're in one of its African markets and want a sportsbook built specifically around local payment habits, Betika is a genuinely trusted, mass-market choice.
How we rated it
Payments & payouts (20%)8.5
Deep, native M-Pesa integration (Paybill 290290) built directly into the app, used by 90% of its 2M+ customers, plus Airtel Money, scratch cards and banking.
Mobile & UX (10%)7.8
Started as an SMS-only service in 2016, evolving into a full mobile-first app built around M-Pesa payment flows.
Sportsbook & odds (25%)7.6
Comprehensive sportsbook plus casino, virtuals and crash games, tailored to Kenyan and East African bettors.
Bonuses & value (15%)7.2
Locally denominated welcome offers competitive within its African market segment.
Customer support (10%)7.2
Established support infrastructure backing one of Kenya's largest sportsbooks by user base.
Trust & licensing (20%)7
Licensed by Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act CAP 131, though no specific public licence number was found — a minor transparency gap, though the operator is well-established and widely recognised in Kenya.
Quick facts
| Founded | April 2016, in Nairobi, Kenya (started as SMS-only) |
| Owner | Shop and Deliver Limited; co-founder Chris Mwirigi |
| Licensing | Kenya Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act CAP 131 |
| Sports | Sportsbook, casino, virtuals, crash games |
| Payments | M-Pesa (Paybill 290290, native app integration — 90% of users), Airtel Money, scratch cards, banking |
| Markets | Kenya (leader), Tanzania, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi |
| Scale | Over 2 million customers |
| Support | Established, one of Kenya's largest sportsbooks |
How we verified this
Betika is licensed by Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act CAP 131. A specific public licence number was not found in research. Its welcome offers and bonus terms vary by country; confirm current details on Betika's own local site. Kenya update: the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has been superseded by the Gambling Regulatory Authority under the Gambling Control Act 2023, and licence processing was suspended during the transition, so any BCLB licence referenced here should be re-verified with the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
Where Betika is licensed
Betika appears on the official register in 9 countries. Highlighted countries have a full local review — pick yours for its welcome bonus and licence details.
About Betika
Betika is a sportsbook founded in April 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya, starting as a simple SMS-only betting service before evolving into a leading mobile-first app. It is owned by Shop and Deliver Limited, co-founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Chris Mwirigi, and licensed by Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act CAP 131. Betika built its dominant position in Kenya around deep, native M-Pesa integration — 90% of its 2 million-plus customers pay via M-Pesa — and has since expanded into Tanzania, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi.
Betika FAQ
Is Betika safe and legit?
Betika is licensed by Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act CAP 131, and is one of Kenya's largest and most established sportsbooks with over 2 million customers.
How do I deposit on Betika?
Betika is built around deep, native M-Pesa integration (Paybill 290290), used by 90% of its customers, alongside Airtel Money, scratch cards and standard banking.
Which countries does Betika operate in?
Betika leads in Kenya and has expanded into Tanzania, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi.
Who owns Betika?
Betika is owned by Shop and Deliver Limited, co-founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Chris Mwirigi.
What is the Betika welcome bonus?
Betika offers welcome and promotional offers that vary by country. Check the current terms on Betika's own local site.