This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
Kenya's youth have developed a significant appetite for betting, with a recent study showing that they spend an average of Sh1,550 per month on the activity.
According to a survey conducted by Geopoll and Ipsos Kenya between July 12-14, 2019, the majority of Kenyan bettors are male, aged between 25 and 34 years.
The survey, which was part of a series on Kenyan millennials, found that 73 percent of respondents who were aware of the government's suspension on betting firms continued to engage in the activity.
The ease of placing bets online or through SMS, as well as the availability of mobile money platforms such as Airtel Money and M-Pesa, have contributed to the phenomenal growth of Kenya's mobile-based sports betting industry.
Interestingly, the survey revealed that bettors with a monthly household income of more than Sh77,000 are more likely to use the money they would use to bet on other items after the government imposed tough laws on the sector.
Of those who earn between Sh77,001 to Sh186,000, 35 percent plan to save their betting cash, while 45 percent will use the budget on other items, and 19 percent said they will continue betting.
