💡 Key Facts
- SportPesa is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya (BCLB)
- As of November 2026, SportPesa does not appear to hold a GRAI remote betting licence for Ireland
- Since 1 July 2026, operators targeting Irish customers must hold a GRAI licence under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024
- Without a GRAI licence, Irish players receive no GRAI-mandated deposit limit enforcement, NGEI integration, or formal Irish complaints route
- Always verify the current position at grai.ie
- GRAI currently issues remote betting licences only — casino gaming licences expected 2027–2028
What Is SportPesa?
SportPesa was founded in Nairobi, Kenya in 2014 and rapidly became one of Africa’s most prominent sports betting brands, with significant sponsorship deals including the Everton FC shirt sponsorship. The company holds a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence for its European operations and a Kenyan BCLB licence for its core African market. It operates a sportsbook covering football, basketball, rugby, and other sports.
SportPesa has had a complex regulatory history, including a temporary suspension of operations in Kenya in 2019 due to a tax dispute, before resuming. Its MGA licence covers European operations to EU regulatory standards, but this does not extend to Irish GRAI authorisation.
SportPesa’s GRAI Status in Ireland
As of November 2026, SportPesa does not appear on the GRAI public register of licensed remote betting operators. Without a GRAI licence, SportPesa is not authorised to operate under Ireland’s specific regulatory framework. Irish players would not receive GRAI-mandated protections. SportPesa’s MGA licence provides EU-standard protections, but these are not equivalent to Irish GRAI requirements for Irish residents.
⚠️ Verify This Yourself
Licence statuses change. CraicBet strongly recommends checking the official GRAI register at grai.ie before depositing with any operator. If SportPesa has since obtained a GRAI licence, it will appear there with a reference number in the format GRAI-XXXX-RB-26-XXXX.
SportPesa for Irish Players
SportPesa’s MGA licence makes it a more credible option than Curacao-only operators, but it remains outside the Irish regulatory framework. For Irish players who want GRAI-mandated protections — particularly NGEI integration and formal Irish complaints escalation — a GRAI-licensed bookmaker is the right choice. If SportPesa’s specific market coverage appeals to you, check whether it has since obtained a GRAI licence at grai.ie before depositing.
GRAI-Licensed Alternatives for Irish Players
Several operators hold GRAI remote betting licences and compete actively for Irish customers with competitive odds, wide sports markets, and responsible gambling tools. You can find a full comparison on our betting sites Ireland page.
Our recommended partner holds GRAI remote betting licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 (valid 16 September 2026 – 15 September 2029), verifiable at grai.ie.
18+ | Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie | Gamble responsibly.
T&Cs apply | GRAI licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001