Betting Sites Using Airtel Money in Kenya April 2024
Now sportsbooks are increasingly adopting mobile payment methods such as e-wallets, mobile money services, SMS and USSD payments to meet the needs of punters who prefer sports betting on the go. In Kenya, M-Pesa and Airtel Money are the most common mobile money services and various online betting sites have embraced them as payment option.
Airtel Money in particular has been available in Kenya for a while and has gained traction for offering fast, convenient, and user-friendly transactions. As a result, there has been a surge in the number of Kenya betting sites using Airtel Money as one of their banking options.
In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sports betting sites that accept Airtel Money, why you should consider using Airtel Money and how to use Airtel Money for betting. Keep reading to learn more.
List of Betting Sites Using Airtel Money
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Airtel Money
Airtel Money is one of the leading mobile money services in Kenya alongside M-Pesa. The mobile money service has been around since 2010, when Bharti Airtel Ltd acquired Zain Kenya, the former owner of the telecommunications company. Airtel Money is basically a mobile wallet offered by Airtel Kenya. Registered users are able to access Airtel Money payment services by simply funding mobile wallet through registered Airtel agent. Once Airtel Money users have money in their Airtel wallet, they can then pay for services like betting, bills and transact among themselves easily.
Like any other payment options, Airtel Money comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
- It allows instant and quick transactions, simple deposit process
- The mobile payment method is easy-to-use and convenient
- It’s more reliable and secure
- Lower transaction costs compared to other payment methods
- Airtel Money charges fees for transactions from Kes. 101
- Some betting sites that accept Airtel Money may apply additional charges to standard fees set by the provider
- Airtel Money has limits of Kes. 70 000 per transaction and 300 000 per day
- Limited use on some Airtel betting sites in Kenya. If a different payment method is used to make deposits one may not be allowed to use Airtel Money for withdrawal
How to Use Airtel for Betting
- Register a betting account. To place a bet you will need to register an account at any of the above Airtel betting sites that accept Airtel Money. Make sure you provide all the requisite details to successfully join the bookmaker of your choice. If you’re still not sure how to pick top betting sites, check out and follow the criteria outlined in this article.
- Fund your account using Airtel Money. Now that you have registered account, you’ll need to make a deposit before placing your bets. Access the menu or the “Deposit” section on the betting site and select Airtel Money as your payment method. You can deposit money online or follow the pay bill option provided. See the guide below on how to deposit using Airtel Money.
- Place your wager. Once you receive the funds in your betting account, feel free to get started with your selections. Navigate to the sports section and select odds on the matches you wish to wager on. Confirm your bets and submit.
How to Open an Account at Airtel Money
To open an Airtel Money account, you must be a registered Airtel sim card user. Initially, you must visit an Airtel Money agent or an Airtel Shop to acquire the Airtel sim card and get registered. If you are already past this stage, you won’t need to visit the Airtel agent. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to open a new Airtel account:
- On your Airtel line, dial the USSD *222# to access the registration menu.
- Select “Register” from the menu.
- Provide your official names as they appear on your ID or Passports and press “OK”.
- Enter your Passport or ID number and submit.
- Enter and confirm your 4-digit Airtel Money Pin number.
- Accept Airtel Money T&Cs and wait for the confirmation message.
How to Make a Deposit Using Airtel Money
Now that you have an Airtel account, here’s how to deposit money into your betting site using Airtel mobile money service.
- Login to your personal account.
- Go to “Deposit” and select Airtel Money as your option for depositing money.
- Enter the amount you’d like to transfer instantly into your account.
- Click “Deposit” to submit the request.
- When redirected to your phone, confirm the deposit request and enter your Airtel Money pin to authorize the money transfer.
- Wait for the confirmation SMS from Airtel Money.
Alternatively, you can use the pay bill option provided by the betting site to deposit money into your personal account. Here’s how:
- On your mobile phone, access the Airtel Money menu or your STK.
- Select “Airtel Money” on the menu.
- Click “Make payments”.
- Select “Paybill” and press “Other options”.
- Enter the provided bookmaker paybill number.
- Enter the amount you’d like to deposit.
- Enter your pin number.
- You may use your phone number as your account number or the name of the sportsbook depending on how you’ve been instructed.
- Complete the request and wait for a confirmation message.
How to Withdraw Funds through Airtel Money
Once you’ve earned some winnings you can transfer money into your Airtel Money account to use however. Here’s how to withdraw funds from betting accounts to your Airtel account.
- Login to your account.
- Go to “My account” and select “Withdraw”.
- Select Airtel Money as your withdrawal method.
- Enter the amount of funds you wish to transfer from your account.
- Press “Withdraw” to confirm the transaction.
Fees & Limits
Airtel Money limits differ from one betting site to the other. Although the maximum one can transact via Airtel Money is Kes. 300 000, some Airtel betting sites may have lower limits ranging between Kes. 70 000 or 150 000 for Airtel Money deposits. The minimum deposits are Kes. 10 and a minimum of Kes. 50 minimum withdrawal.
Airtel Money charges also differ depending on the amount being transacted. It’s free to send any amount below Kes. 100, but there are standard fees of between Ksh. 6 and Kes. 105 for sending Kes. 101 to Kes. 150 000.
How to Choose the Best Airtel Betting Site
Settling for the best Airtel betting site may be harder than expected. Luckily, we have provided a criteria which you should consider when making your decision:
- Safety: Your safety comes first. Only bet on licensed betting sites that accept Airtel Money that are regulated by the relevant authorities. The best betting site ensures that you and your data are safe. Always confirm that a site has a privacy policy and SSL encryption.
- Bonuses and promotions: Gifts and prizes are the easiest way to boost your chances of winning at Airtel betting sites. For instance, a great Welcome bonus can allow you to place the first bet without spending any money. Punters should, however, be careful to understand wagering requirements, ensure that there are no hidden rules and avoid chasing bonuses with too restrictive T&Cs.
- Sports variety: In addition to accepting Airtel Money, a great betting site should provide punters with a variety of sports for betting on. As such, customers can have more than enough options to enjoy whether their favorite sport is in season or off season.
- Odds and betting markets: It would be great to check the types of betting markets available on a betting site and the quality of odds they are offering. Keep in mind that odds have a direct impact on how much you make from a wager.
- Customer support: Go for a betting site that offers high quality customer support. A great bookmaker provides customer support agents who are not only responsive but also knowledgeable. You can also check the support options available on a betting site to ensure that you have better chances of receiving help when you need some.
Review of the Top 5 Betting Sites that Accept Airtel Money In Kenya
Betway
Betway is one of the most known betting sites the world over. They offer punters with a variety of betting options including sports, Esports, and live games. Some of the bookmaker’s standout features are the extensive football markets (1500+) and special bets on non sports. The bookmaker also provides various betting functions such as Cash Out, Bet Builder, Bet booking, SMS betting, win boosts, live betting and live streaming. In addition, Betway provides Android and iOS betting apps to clients who prefer betting on the go. The bookmaker, however, has some drawbacks including limited methods of payment, not streaming live major events, and offering limited bonuses.
SportPesa
Sportpesa is one of the most popular Airtel betting sites in Kenya, known for offering various game types including sports, lucky numbers, Esports, casino games and virtuals. While the bookmaker stands out for offering more Esports than other brands, it’s worth noting that their sports catalog is limited to just 12 sports. Although the sportsbook boasts of their ability to provide livescores, stats, and an engaging blog section, they seem to lack diversity as far as betting markets and bonuses are concerned. Punters who wouldn’t mind the limited sports options, Sportpesa has additional betting features such as the Cash Out, Multi-bet bonus, match tracker, Betspinner, USSD and SMS betting which may be worth your while. The bookmaker also has various apps for Android and iOS: sports app, casino app, and an SP score app.
Bangbet
Bangbet has been operating in Kenya since 2018. The online betting site is known for offering a No deposit Welcome bonus and an array of other bonuses. In addition, Bangbet has features like SMS betting, live betting, USSD betting, quick bet, Cash Out, and Bangbet Boosts. On the flip side, the bookmaker has yet to provide a betting app for iPhone users and their payment option is limiting.
Betlion
Betlion was founded in 2018 and has been providing Kenyan punters with betting services on sports, casino games, comets, and other game types. The bookmaker has a mobile responsive website and is also accessible via the Android betting app. Betlion offers an attractive Welcome bonus with lenient wagering requirements and a few other promotions. Although the number of sports covered is low, the bookmaker offers numerous markets on top football events, which makes sense since most Kenyans love football. There are features like the Cash Out, Bet Boosts, in-play betting, and SMS betting at Betlion.
Dafabet
Dafabet betting site is renowned for offering competitive payouts on top football matches (96%-98%) with attractive betting odds. With a live commentary, livescore, live calendar, and comprehensive statistics, Dafabet keeps punters well-informed. While Dafabet lacks a Welcome bonus and an extensive list of promotions, they compensate with a 4-tier VIP programme which provide bettors with various perks.
FAQs
Should I Use Airtel for Online Betting?
Yes, you can use Airtel for online betting as long as the bookmaker of your choice accepts Airtel Money payment method. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, convenient, secure and fast payment method, Airtel Money is the way to go. In addition, funding your Airtel Money account will be easy since you can transfer money between Airtel accounts free of charge. Also, you can use your Airtel Money transaction statement as your bank management strategy to track your betting activities and act accordingly.
Alternative Ways to Make a Deposit?
In case Airtel Money is not an option for you, you can make your deposits via M-Pesa, E-wallets, bank account transfers, and debit and credit cards among other convenient deposit methods. Each Kenyan bookmaker accepts different payment methods, make sure to check them on the website.
Is it Expensive to Use Airtel Money?
No, deposits below Kes. 100 are free, but there are standard fees of between Ksh. 6 and Kes. 105 for sending Kes. 101 to Kes. 150 000. Besides, getting an Airtel Money account is free. You’ll only need Kes. 50 to purchase your Airtel SIM card. Also, recharging your Airtel Money balance is free and Airtel agent is easily accessible. Even better, peer to peer transfers are free.
Can I Get a Welcome Bonus When I Make a Deposit at Airtel?
Yes, you usually should get your Welcome bonus when you make a deposit using Airtel Money unless the bookmaker has specified different payment options. Make sure to carefully read bonus terms and conditions to find out what payment method restrictions apply.
Is it Safe to Use Airtel Money?
Yes, it is safe to use Airtel Money. In fact, Airtel Money is one of the most reliable payment methods for betting. This is because you make Airtel payments directly without sharing your payment details with a third party. In addition, you can also initiate Airtel payments directly from the betting site or your phone.