In terms of both usability and speed, with Sportpesa you’re undoubtedly in good hands. Unlike with some of its competitors, we experienced this at peak times as well. In this context, at this bookmaker, we discovered exclusively one shortcoming. Specifically: We couldn’t find a lite or old mobile version. Particularly in Kenya and, in Tanzania, these options are quite common.
The reason for the missing lies probably in the fact that although the bookie has a Kenyan owner, it was set up in Europe. And if we think about it, there is no such implementation at another top name such as Betway either. However, users with less advanced mobile phones or weaker mobile internet can still access the services. We will go into this in more detail a bit further down.
Sportpesa’s downloadable mobile apps
The flip side of the coin is that Sportpesa represents one of the comparatively few bookies that are active in Africa and offer a mobile app for iOS devices. If you own an iPhone or iPad, you can download the application directly from the Apple Store. Naturally, you can find the relevant links on the website. In contrast, you search unsuccessfully for the sports betting app for Android devices in the Google Play Store.
Nevertheless, at Sportpesa, the app download remains straightforward. After all, you can find the mobile app by clicking on the corresponding button in the top navigation bar. Or on the right side of the desktop version. Furthermore, you can download the application just as easily thanks to a QR code. And if you want to avoid installing a file for whatever reason, you can just as effectively fall back on the equivalent web app. Moreover, Sportpesa launched a separate mobile app for the results. You can find it not only in the App Store, but likewise in the Google Play Store. Additionally, an APK download can be done as well.
What Sportpesa’s mobile sports betting apps offer you
We noticed some differences in the contents of the websites for African betting enthusiasts. Additionally, the Sportpesa mobile apps for Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania differentiate themselves in nuances. The Kenyan and Tanzanian bettors can find the search feature and the betting slips in the header right next to the logo.
However, those from South Africa can see the search feature in the hamburger menu, which appears everywhere on the left, or alternatively, if you scroll to the end of the top navigation with the sports. In the hamburger menu you can access, for example, the sports section and the jackpots. Underneath, you can initially make deposits and withdrawals.
For this, as with any other reputable betting site, at Sportpesa you need a login from Kenya, South Africa or Tanzania. This will give you access to the “Edit account info” feature, the bet history and the transactions in the “Account” sub-category. Underneath you can click on links to the Sportpesa blog with eventual jackpot predictions as well as to the news.
If you are not registered or logged in, you can see the corresponding buttons below the logo. Otherwise, you continue with the top navigation and the selection of sports. Below you can choose between the highlight matches including the most important betting markets, the countries, and the today’s plus upcoming games.
Unlike many of its competitors, Sportpesa doesn’t display live betting on the start page, but in the tab next to it. And this doesn’t apply exclusively to football, but to all sports. There aren’t any breadcrumbs, but thanks to the countries tab you can easily get to the various competitions and events. All in all, you can access the entire range via the top part of the Sportpesa mobile app. Moreover, the bookmaker impresses us thanks to its well-done colour contrasts.
But how at Sportpesa to register and place bets without lite version?
As mentioned at the beginning, at Sportpesa you must manage without a mobile lite version. However, this sounds worse than it actually is. Because: As you read our review, you can almost certainly also see the betting programme on the website. And you don’t necessarily need to register via the website or access the functions. On the contrary: many things work via SMS and USSD.
To be more precise, you can register with Sportpesa in Kenya and Tanzania via SMS. This option isn’t available in South Africa, but you can sign up via the USSD procedure. If you then want to place bets online and generally make use of the offer, this is no problem. Because: You can get a new password via the corresponding area. Furthermore, you can also register via the online presences. In Kenya and Tanzania, you must then confirm your account or identity by sending an SMS. In South Africa, the whole process requires a bit more time and effort. After all, with the FICA process, you don’t get around sending in a photo ID and proof of residence.
As soon as this hurdle is cleared, you can deposit money at Sportpesa in Kenya and Tanzania via SMS and have any winnings paid out. Furthermore, you get access to the “My Account” area and can place bets. The same applies in South Africa, but via the USSD procedure. Besides and with no exceptions, deposits can be made also through SMS.