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How to check a betting licence in Kenya (2026)

GRA does not publish a searchable list of licensed operators. Here is how to check one yourself before you deposit, and how to self-exclude.

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by Reviewed by Arnold Ochieng 6 min read Updated 19 October 2026Verified 19 Oct 2026

Gambling is for adults aged 18+ only.

Only play with money you can afford to lose. paybillke lists operators that hold a current GRA licence at the time of verification. Confirm on gra.go.ke before depositing. If gambling is becoming a problem, support is available. Call the GRA helpline on 0800 723 770.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) licenses betting in Kenya under the Gambling Control Act 2025; it replaced the BCLB. When we checked gra.go.ke on 19 October 2026 there was no public register you can search for an operator's name. So the check has to be done in steps.

Four checks before you deposit

  1. Find the licence statement. Scroll to the bottom of the operator's Kenyan site. A licensed operator names the company that holds the licence, the regulator, and licence numbers, usually a BK (bookmaking) and a PG (public gaming) number. No statement at all is a warning sign.
  2. Check the regulator named. GRA, or a GRAK/2026 licence number, is current. Some big operators still print BCLB. That does not mean they are unlicensed, but it is worth asking GRA.
  3. Check the M-PESA name before your PIN. When you pay a paybill, M-PESA shows the business name on the confirmation screen. It should match the operator or the company in the licence statement. A person's name means stop. See Kenyan betting paybills.
  4. Ask GRA. Call 0800 723 770 or email info@bclb.go.ke (the address GRA still lists) with the operator's name and licence numbers. GRA's office is at ACK Gardens Annex, Bishop Road, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi. Complaints go through GRA's complaints page.

What the main operators say about their own licence

We read each operator's own Kenyan site on 19 October 2026. This is what they print, not a GRA confirmation.

  • Betika: Shop and Deliver Limited, which runs Betika, says on its own site that it is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), licence BK-0001117 and PG-0001113. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • SportPesa: SportPesa says on its own site that it is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), licence GRAK/2026/BK185751 (casino: GRAK/2026/PG056841, Standard Global East Africa Limited). Checked 19 October 2026.
  • OdiBets: Kareco Holdings Limited, which runs OdiBets, says on its own site that it is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), licence BK0001095 and PG-0001096. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • BetPawa: Nanovas International (K) Limited, which runs BetPawa, says on its own site that it is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), licence BK0001070 and PG0001071. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • 1xBet: Advanced Guild Limited, which runs 1xBet, says on its own site that it is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Checked 19 October 2026.
  • SportyBet: Dreamhub Technology Limited, which runs SportyBet, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK-0001203 and PG-0001202. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • Mozzart Bet: MozzartBet Kenya Limited, which runs Mozzart Bet, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK 0001188 and PG 0001189. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • 22Bet: Nuntis Holdings Limited, which runs 22Bet, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK-0001293 and PG-0001294. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • Shabiki: PlayCo Technology Ltd, which runs Shabiki, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK00000671 and PG0000428. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • Pepeta: Norm Kick Off Kenya Limited, which runs Pepeta, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK 0001141 and PG 0001142. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • Pakakumi: Reys and Meys Limited, which runs Pakakumi, says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence BK 0001230. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • GameMania: GameMania says on its own site that it is licensed by the BCLB, licence 0001136 (its site footer; its out-of-Kenya block page shows 0000412). The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and GRA publishes no licence register, so confirm with GRA before you deposit. Checked 19 October 2026.
  • HelaBet: We could not find a licence statement on HelaBet's own site when we checked on 19 October 2026. Ask GRA before you deposit.
  • KessBet: We could not find a licence statement on KessBet's own site when we checked on 19 October 2026. Ask GRA before you deposit.

How to self-exclude

Self-exclusion asks one or more operators to block you from gambling with them, on their premises and on their website or app. GRA says gambling companies are legally required to offer it. From GRA's self-exclusion page:

  • The exclusion runs for a period you choose, typically 6 months to 5 years.
  • You cannot leave the programme before the period ends.
  • You must verify your identity, including a photo and proof of address.
  • You are removed from marketing lists and are not added back automatically afterwards.
  • To start, visit GRA's offices or email support@bclb.go.ke saying you want to self-exclude.

You can also self-exclude through an operator directly. Betika's responsible gaming policy, for example, asks you to withdraw any balance over KES 50 first. More in our responsible gambling guide.

The 2026 regulations

GRA published these in June and July 2026. Each link opens the PDF on gra.go.ke.

Frequently asked questions

Does GRA publish a list of licensed betting sites?

Not one you can search. When we checked gra.go.ke on 19 October 2026 there was no public licensee register. The way to confirm a licence is to read the operator's own licence statement and then ask GRA on its toll-free line, 0800 723 770.

What do BK and PG licence numbers mean?

Operators print them in their footers. OdiBets, for example, describes its BK number as a bookmaking licence and its PG number as a public gaming licence.

An operator still says it is licensed by the BCLB. Is that a problem?

Not on its own. The GRA replaced the BCLB under the Gambling Control Act 2025, and several large operators had not updated their footers when we checked. It is a reason to ask GRA before depositing, not proof that the site is unlicensed.

How do I self-exclude from betting in Kenya?

GRA says you can visit its offices or email support@bclb.go.ke saying you want to self-exclude. Exclusion runs for a set period, typically 6 months to 5 years, you cannot end it early, and you need to verify your identity with a photo and proof of address.

Thinking about a casino or crash-game site you found online? Read check before you deposit first.

Related references

Curated external sources we cite. Open in a new tab.