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Betting sites in Kenya with no tax

By Andrew Heaford | ⏲️ Reading time: 8 minutes
Fact checked by Martins Lasmanis
CEO Martins Lasmanis
Fact checked by
Martins Lasmanis
With more than 10 years of experience in online marketing, and special focus on the gambling affiliation sector over 5 years, Martin Lasmanis is a true expert in his niche. Today, Martin's vision is to build the largest lead generator company in the world. Fortunately, we have the perfect team to make his dream come true!

In Kenya, all players are required to pay 15% tax on their gambling winnings, to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). This should be paid on bettors’ behalf by the bookmaker, so strictly speaking, there are no legally operating betting sites in Kenya with no tax. There are, however, a number of reputable betting sites available to Kenyan bettors, the best of which we will recommend in this article.

Read on to discover all of the betting tax rules applicable to Kenyans and how to pay said tax. We will go on to recommend the best reputable Kenyan betting sites online, and answer your frequently asked questions about Kenyan betting tax rules and Kenyan online bookmakers.

Article at a glance

What tax do Kenyans Pay on Gambling Winnings?

The Kenyan customers of betting sites are required to pay a tax of 15% on all gambling winnings, whether that is obtained via sportsbook or casino betting. However, it is not necessary for individuals to seek to pay this tax themselves, as Kenyan tax laws require the bookmaker to deduct this 15% tax from any winnings before they are withdrawn by the customer, which they then pay to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on behalf of the bettor.

The KRA is clear that it is the responsibility to each individual bettor to ensure that they are tax compliant and therefore not breaking any laws. They also make a crucial note, however, that the amount withheld by the bookmaker is final, which means that bettors have no need to make any declarations regarding gambling winnings in their annual Income Tax Returns. This means that the responsibility for payment of tax on gambling winnings is with the bookmaker, rather than the customer.

Is There a Way to Avoid Paying Tax on Kenyan Gambling Winnings?

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) are very clear on the rules around tax paid on income derived from gambling. Bookmakers operating in Kenya are legally obliged to withhold 15% of any gambling winnings generated by customers at their betting sites, which they then pay on the KRA on their customers’ behalf. Therefore, Kenyans do not need to take any action relating to their betting income, with regards to their annual Income Tax Return, as the tax will have already been taken care of by the bookmaker. This makes it very difficult for Kenyan bettors to avoid paying tax on their gambling winnings.

Having said that, there may be some betting sites that do not remove the tax from your winnings before paying your withdrawal, but the KRA recommends that bettors report such sites to them directly, for non-compliance. The KRA is also clear that individuals are responsible for ensuring that they follow the tax laws that are relevant to them.

Therefore, the short answer is: No. There is no way for Kenyans to legally avoid paying tax on Kenyan gambling winnings.

Where is the best place for Kenyans to bet?

As we have already discussed, the best place for Kenyans to bet is at a fully licensed and regulated betting site. Here, we provide an overview of three of the best online betting sites available in Kenya.

 

#1 Bookmaker: 888 Starz

888 Starz offers their new customers a 200% welcome bonus of up to 213 000 KES plus 150 Free spins to enjoy. With over 50 different sports available to bet on in their sportsbook, plus a huge range of slots and table games at their exciting casino, 888 Starz are well worth a look for Kenyan customers. There are plenty of In Play betting markets for fans of live sports betting, with live streaming available for selected events and live streamed graphics for many more, to help punters follow the action. There are also comprehensive statistics and player ranking information for some sports, to help bettors to make an informed wager. 888 Starz has a unique casino offering of slot games coupled with a live casino in addition to bingo, TV games and poker, with a range of bet limits to suit all budgets.

There’s a range of different promotions for both new and existing customers, with regularly returning customers able to take advantage of the eight-level VIP loyalty program, which offers increasingly generous rewards and other perks. There is also a good selection of different payment options available. Unfortunately, the 888 Starz app is only available to Android users, but their website is mobile optimised so it can be enjoyed from any smartphone.

Welcome Bonus: 200% up to 213 000 KES + 150 Free spins

Pluses
  • Over 50 different sports to bet on
  • Huge range of slot games
  • Promotions for both new and existing customers
Minuses
  • Android only app

 

#2 Bookmaker: 22bet

Customers who create a new account with 22Bet receive a generous 100% first deposit bonus of up to 35000 KES to enjoy. The sportsbook is vast, with over 50 different sports available to bet on. There is a huge focus on live sports betting, with a wider-than-average range of In-Play sporting events to bet on live, including football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, table tennis, handball, American football, cricket, Esports and many more, including more unusual sports such as arm wrestling! There are also live video streams available for selected events.

At the casino, 22Bet offers a super range of slot games as well as the usual table games such as baccarat, blackjack and roulette, alongside Asian games, speed games and even game shows, which can be a jovial gambling experience.

22bet has lots of promotions for returning customers as well as a VIP loyalty club with eight levels of increasing rewards, depending on how much you spend at the casino. Customers can opt to deposit using cards or Ewallets, with a minimum deposit of just 158KES. Users who prefer to use their smartphone to gamble can download the 22bet app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Welcome Bonus: 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 35000 KES

Pluses
  • Well-stocked casino
  • Fantastic selection of sports with In-Play betting available
  • Promotions for both new and existing customers, including a VIP loyalty program at the casino
Minuses
  • Fewer live casino options than competitors

 

#3 Bookmaker: MegaPari

Mega Pari welcomes its new customers with a generous bonus package of up to 31,400 KES which includes a 200% deposit bonus on your first two deposits. At the sportsbook, there are over 30 different sports to bet on, with plenty of live sporting events to bet on In-Play. Sports bettors can also enjoy 3% weekly cashback of up to 133,870 KES.

When it comes to the Mega Pari casino, there’s a great live casino with a huge range of games available to suit every budget, with a variety of different bet limits to suit all budgets. As well as slots, card and table games, there are also ‘megagames’ available, with game shows on hand for some light entertainment in the live casino. Regular casino customers can enjoy weekly reload bonuses.

There is a huge range of choice when it comes to payment methods, with payment options including FIAT methods and Cryptocurrencies, with minimum deposits of just 50 KES permitted. Over 60 different languages are supported at Mega Pari, and customer support can be contacted by email, Live Chat and Telegram. The Mega Pari app can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices, so all customers can enjoy the convenience of betting via their smartphone.

Welcome Bonus: Welcome package up tp to 31,400 KES

Pluses
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Wide range of sports to bet on, including In Play.
  • Well-stocked live casino including game shows and Asian games
Minuses
  • No loyalty program for regular sports bettors yet

 

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not possible for Kenyan bettors to avoid paying tax on their betting winnings, as the Kenyan tax system is set up so that online bookmakers withhold the 15% tax payable to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) when bettors make a withdrawal, and then pay the tax on their behalf. While there may be betting sites that Kenyan residents can access that do not make this deduction, the KRA is clear that these bookmakers are not operating legally in Kenya and that bettors have a responsibility to report such organisations to the KRA for non-compliance.

However, there are a number of reputable betting sites where Kenyan bettors can enjoy a high quality betting experience, whether that is at a sportsbook or online casino. We hope that you have found this guide useful and enjoy gambling in accordance with Kenyan tax laws.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions

  • In Kenya, bettors must pay 15% tax on all gambling winnings to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). This is automatically deducted from any withdrawals by the betting site, so Kenyan individuals do not need to worry about including any gambling winnings in their annual Income Tax Return.

  • No, the 15% tax payable on gambling winnings is deducted automatically by the bookmaker at the point of withdrawal, so the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) advises bettors that they do not need to include gambling winnings in their annual Income Tax Returns.

  • The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) advises bettors that if 15% tax is not deducted automatically by the bookmaker, individuals should contact the KRA to report the bookmaker for non-compliance of tax laws.

  • Yes, several online betting sites accept Kenyan Shillings (KES) as currency, including the three sites we particularly recommend in this article: 888 Starz, 22bet and Mega Pari.

  • The only betting site that does not charge tax and that Kenyan players can access is 1xbet. However, it is important to remember that non-payment of tax on the proceeds of gambling does not comply with tax laws set out by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Author
Andrew Heaford
Andy has over 20 years of experience in the online gambling arena. The potted history includes being a bonus hustler, professional sports bettor, website owner, content writer and affiliate manager!
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