Casinos in Kenya

Introduction

Explore one of the most amazing places in the world with us, we are eager to take you on a virtual tour of Kenya!

Kenya is located in East Africa and its full name is Republic of Kenya. It is in the top 10 most populous countries in Africa with almost 50 million people. The capital and largest city is Nairobi and the oldest and second largest city is Mombasa which is also an important port and was the capital of Kenya in the past. There are two official languages, English and Swahili and its operating currency is Kenyan shilling.

According to archeological research, the first time people settled in this area was between 3200 and 1300 BC. Contact between Europe and Kenya began in 1500 AD with the Portuguese Empire and the colonization of Kenya was performed in the 19th century. Modern Kenya is the result of the numerous disputes and clashes between the British Empire and Kenya that started in 1895 and lasted until a revolution led to its independence in 1963.

Kenya is known for being the home of some exotic animals such as African elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffalos and lions. It has many national parks, falls, reserves and overall amazing scenery. What is very is that hunting is illegal so you may only admire the majestic animals that live there!

The History of Gambling

The beginning of gambling in Kenya goes back to the year 1966 when the country inherited a legislation from the British colonial era.

‘The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act’ enabled land casinos to be opened in major cities. Although online betting is more popular than going to land casinos, they have been around for a while and there isn’t any indication that they are going away!

Legislation and Jurisdiction

In 2019, a new gambling bill was introduced and it was passed into law in 2020. The bill introduced new taxes and placed tighter restrictions in the gambling industry. All operators now must have a license which wasn’t the case in the past. Previously, anyone could have set up a gambling business without any hassle. The Betting Control and Licensing Board are the ones whose approval you need in order to obtain a license and they also have the power to revoke licenses and charge fines. There are three types of licenses that can be issued: lotteries, sports betting and casino gaming. People in Kenya are most interested in sports betting then in casino gaming and then the lottery.

Popular Spots and Games

As far as sports betting goes, the most favored sports are football, rugby and basketball. Many Kenyans follow local and international teams and well-known leagues, such as the NBA. Casino gaming may have taken the second spot but it is attractive to many residents and visitors and full of opportunities. The games that players mostly pick are slots, they take up a large percentage of most played games. Next, there are evergreen table games such as Blackjack and Roulette. Apart from these two, other live games occupy the interests of gamers, live poker for instance.

There are several dozen brick and mortar casinos located in the biggest cities of Kenya. For the most part, the casinos are a part of a hotel, resort, spa and the like. Gambling is like an extra feature that people can utilize if they want on their vacation in Kenya. You can go on a safari during the day and indulge in playing games at night!

Furthermore…

According to websites devoted to traveling and providing traveling reviews, Nairobi and Mombasa have a lot of land casinos that are well-rated and have a large assortment of gaming opportunities so potential visitors may have a look at their offers of land entertainment!

Banking

A wide range of payment methods is accepted in Kenya so the payment process won’t be an issue for anyone who decides to explore this majestic country. Cards make a large portion of the range: American Express, Visa and MasterCard. E-wallets being so huge nowadays are another fantastic option, they are simple, convenient and accepted worldwide. In Kenya, the most prominent e-wallets include PayPal, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay…

Since Kenya often has guests from all over the world, additional methods of payment specific for some countries may be used. The Chinese love using UnionPay and they can use it here to pay various merchants and service providers. Residents of Kenya might opt for local ways of making transactions through banks. Equitel is a mobile banking platform created by Equity Bank and its users can use their Equitel Sim Card for purchases. Several other banks within Kenya operate in a similar manner. 

But that’s not all!

Airtel Money, Equitel and M-PESA are interbank money transfer services that allow users to receive funds, pay bills and make payments via mobile phone and PesaLink is a real-time interbank money transfer service by which people can receive money between various banks in Kenya.

To Conclude

Kenya truly has a lot to offer, not only when it comes to gambling but in other areas travelers are fascinated by. It is one of the best places in the world to go on a safari and soak in nature and wildlife in its full, intact glory. Back in civilization, plenty of amusement options await…

…Historic and modern sights, luxurious resorts and spas, the local cuisine and culture…

The gaming industry is definitely growing rapidly in Kenya and the number of both online and land based venues is on the rise. The country is keeping up with the worldly trends and provides entertainment known to everyone in the forms of sports betting and casino gaming. The beloved casino games like slots and table games are covered so have no fear that your gambling journey in Kenya can be the same as in the gambling capitals of the world such as Las Vegas and Monte Carlo but there are other fun activities to do around here on top of that!