The Kenyan online sports betting market saw a major disruption last year with the entry of the most serious player yet since the heydays of 2017/2018.
The Betsson-owned brand BETSAFE entered the Kenyan market with a marketing blitz that included the signing of a three-year Ksh.285 million joint sponsorship agreement with Kenya’s top football clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in June last year.
Betsafe entered the Kenyan market in partnership with the Kenyan firm Bet High Limited. As a sports betting product, Betsafe entry has been disruptive to the local market with a host of innovative products that are sure to appeal to Kenyan punters.
Betsafe also brings to the Kenyan betting market and football industry, in particular, a demonstrable commitment to responsible gaming and social responsibility, the kind of ethos that betting companies will need to survive in Kenya’s increasingly strict online sports betting terrain where the taxman and regulators have been putting a lid on things.
The betting firm takes great pride in its responsible gaming program that has been designed to cater to the safety of Kenya’s sports betting fans. Players in the local sports betting scene must brace themselves for serious competition from this reputable sportsbook.
As part of its responsible gaming program, the Betsafe website features very unique control and safety features that are readily available on the site.
Unlike past players, many of whom have had the licensed revoked by the Betting Control and License Board over the past two years, Betsafe is also focused on disseminating responsible gaming messages to the general public. For the company, it is more than just lip service and PR.
They are willing to walk the talk and support. Predatory marketing and advertising by sports betting players has been one of the leading bone of contentions between the regulator and the various operators in the country.
Betsafe has actualized its commitment to responsible gaming in Kenya by hiring a Responsible Gaming Officer, the first betting company in Kenya to take this measure. The Officer will be charged with pursuing and improving Betsafe’s compliance in adhering to responsible gaming.
The sports betting company is even going further and providing solid support to Gamhelp, an organization that is dedicated to supporting Kenyans with betting addiction.
Mega Sponsorship Deals
Like the previous giant sportsbook, SportPesa, that once commanded the lion’s share of the Kenyan sports betting market, Betsafe has displayed a strong commitment to supporting local football. This was apparent in the company’s decision to sign a Ksh.285 million sponsorship deal with Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in June last year even before the company launched its operations in the Kenyan market. It was a fortuitous intervention as these two football clubs were facing a financial crisis following the exit of their shirt sponsors, SportPesa. The deal also positioned Betsafe as the betting company to watch in Kenya and gives it the platform to engage and interact with local football fans up close. The dividends will be huge, projecting the sports betting brand to millions of eyeballs in Kenya, across the region, and Africa as a whole.
Innovations in Text Betting
Betsafe is also revolutionizing the structure of text betting in Kenya. It is the first company to introduce a simplified text betting that doesn’t include Game IDs. Now SMS betting is as simple as writing a text message. Betsafe text betting should be easy for punters who have struggled with the predominant text betting format that includes the Game ID and which can get a little confusing when you have to do multi bets. Betsafe is also the first sports betting company in Kenya to introduce free text bets. Punters in Kenya no longer have to worry about spending money on every bet placed or purchasing bundles.
Telegram Betting
Betsafe is also the first sports betting company in Kenya to introduce Telegram-based betting via its local Kenyan Telegram channel. Betsafe is definitely revolutionizing the sports betting scene in Kenya and doing things differently. Its innovations are unique and responsive to the needs of local punters. If its early moves are anything to go by, this sportsbook is set to be the strongest player in the local sports betting market in the not-so-distant future.
