Sports betting on smartphones worldwide, and in Tanzania specifically, has been growing steadily for the past decade. Faster and simpler usage makes it the obvious choice for those who want to place their bets on the go. If you look at any list of bookmakers in Tanzania, you will see that mobile services like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Tigo Pesa are always at the top of the supported payment methods. Together, they have tens of millions of registered players, making them the most convenient way to deposit with your chosen bookmaker.
Why Mobile Software Works So Well in Tanzania
According to GSMA, in the span of five years, from 2008 to 2013, the use of mobile financial services saw an exponential increase of nearly 90%, opening up vast opportunities for the adult population in Tanzania. It is no wonder that the rapid growth in popularity has made mobile financial services, rather than cards or bank transfers, the most popular way for deposits among Tanzanian bettors. These services offer some key benefits:
- No bank account needed: This removes the biggest barrier for more than 60% of Tanzanian adults who remain unbanked.
- Money arrives fast: In most cases, funds appear in your online account in less than two minutes, whether being operated via USSD or SMS.
- Deposits are made in TZS: With no currency conversion or hidden losses, it is easy to track the exact amount you deposit.
- Every transaction comes with a text confirmation: You always have proof that the payment went through.
- They are available all over the country, including rural areas: Services like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa make topping up your account easy and convenient wherever you are.
Bookmakers That Accept Mobile Payments in Tanzania
Below are five of the most popular sports betting platforms in Tanzania that accept M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Airtel Money as deposit methods.
1xBet
1xBet has supported Tanzanian mobile payment services for a long time, integrating them into both their mobile app for Android and iOS users and their website. Tanzanian users can deposit a minimum amount, starting from 2000 TZS, via M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Airtel Money (alongside cards and e-wallets) and begin betting right away.
Melbet
This bookmaker entered African markets quickly and has become a popular choice for Tanzanian players looking for good odds. All mobile financial services are supported, much like on 1xBet, but are available for minimum deposits starting from 1000 TZS.
BetWinner
It attracts Tanzanian bettors with an easy-to-use web interface. The design is optimized for mobile devices, so it works well even on older Android smartphones. You can use any of the local options, from M-Pesa to even T-Kash, for instant TZS transactions with a minimum deposit of 1000-2000 TZS.
22Bet
Focusing mainly on sports, 22Bet is a good choice for players who want to keep things simple. Alongside other local payment options, the platform has integrated Vodacom into its app and site, supporting TZS transactions. 22Bet typically allows bettors to start with small deposits of 1000 TZS.
Paripesa
Paripesa is a newer bookmaker in the Tanzanian market, but it has grown rapidly since its launch. Notably, the interface works well on basic smartphones and with slow internet connections. Paripesa supports M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money, and HaloPesa for fast and secure deposits, with a minimum of 1000 TZS.
Depositing via USSD Code or Mobile App
The USSD method has a major advantage: it works offline or in areas where mobile data is weak or unavailable. Depositing may be done through M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa or Airtel Money.
Simply log in to your account through a browser or app and choose a preferred method. Then, enter the deposit amount in TZS and write down the payment reference number shown on the screen. On your smartphone, dial *150*00# (M-Pesa), *150*01# (Tigo Pesa) or *150*60# (Airtel Money) and enter the reference number. Funds are usually credited within 30-90 seconds.
The bookmakers listed above have their own mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites. To deposit, open the bookmaker’s app and tap on “Deposit” or the wallet icon at the top of the screen. Then, choose your mobile payment provider and enter the amount in TZS. Lastly, enter your registered phone number. Funds are usually credited to your betting account within one minute.
