Kenya already has one of the fastest growing online betting industries in the world, and those numbers are projected to rise even higher during the FIFA World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar between November 20 and December 18, with 32 nations battling for the right to become the next world champions.

It’s a four-week football extravaganza that will feature a grand total of 64 matches, culminating in a final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Unfortunately, Kenya will once again not be a part of the competition (not that we have ever been part of it). The Harambee Stars still do not know what it feels like to compete at the World Cup!

The Stars’ absence will not deter bettors in the country, who are set to up the betting ante during the competition. For those four World Cup weeks, sports betting in Kenya is projected to reach an all-time high.

Daily feast of football means more betting opportunities

Outside the World Cup period, most of the betting in Kenya is done during weekends, as that is when major football leagues like the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga are on.

Of course, Kenyans also bet during the week, with mid-week competitions like the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League keeping us busy, but the World Cup is a different monster.

The opening day features just one match, between the home nation, Qatar and Ecuador, but that is just the calm before the storm. Three matches will be played on Day 2, after which the next 11 days will feature four matches each.

Given the frequency of the World Cup schedule, online sports betting is projected to reach new heights during that period.

The surge is already on. Kenya’s best betting sites are already fully stacked with World Cup markets and odds; and punters haven’t wasted any time in launching their Qatar 2022 betting adventures.

New converts set to join World Cup party

Because of the magnitude and rarity of the World Cup, there is always that extra buzz when the tournament comes around.

Everyone always seems fired up for the Mundial, from top politicians to the average Kenyan on the street.

Media houses push harder with their campaigns, hoping to leverage on the popularity of the tournament and get in some extra cash for their business.

Betting companies also roll out brand new offers and promotions, looking to win over new customers, keep hold of existing players, and encourage everyone to place more bets.

All of these mean extra ears and eyes for sports betting, with new people set to join the train.

Betting craze palatable news for many in government

The anticipated betting surge will bother many Kenyan politicians and betting regulators, who have spent plenty of time over the last couple of years battling with operators to keep the online betting rate under control.

Even they may have to concede that there is very little they can do to prevent the World Cup betting rush.

The consolation for the government is that more money will be spent in the industry, which means more betting tax revenue will be generated during the period!