Sports betting sites in Rwanda

Sports betting has continuously gained traction among wagerers from Rwanda over the past decade, and as a result, bookmakers, both local and international, have entered the country's sports betting industry.

But the increased number of bookies has often made Rwandan bettors struggle to select the best betting firms to join, and that's where we now come in as professional gamblers with our comprehensive guide on sports betting in the nation and the best bookmakers available to the Rwandan punters.

Player criteria for betting in Rwanda

For you to be eligible for sports betting in the country, you must meet the criteria put in place, including:

Must be of legal gambling age

Be above 18 years of age because minors are not permitted to take part in any form of gambling.

Must be a certified resident of an allowed country

Be a Rwandan resident and be able to prove your residence or citizenship when requested by a wagering organiser.

Desktop or mobile device

Have a mobile device that can connect to the internet or a personal computer because bookies offer their services online.

These requirements align with provisions the Rwanda Gaming Board has implemented to ensure that only qualified players can indulge in bookmaking in the nation.

Compare the best Rwandan betting sites

Due to the high number of bookmakers in the country, we have handpicked the best ones and included them in our ranking. And while all our recommended betting sites are fantastic, they differ when it comes to perks and features, and thus, you need to choose the one that would satisfy your gambling needs.

But what we can guarantee you is that you won't regret selecting a bookmaker from our list as we always update it from time to time to incorporate new entrants into the market.

How to start betting in Rwanda

Below, we have explained in detail the steps you need to follow to begin betting in Rwanda. That way, you won't encounter any challenges when you embark on your journey into online sports betting. So, relax and continue reading to understand how you can start making sports bets while in Rwanda.

We fully understand the struggles Rwandan bettors go through when looking for reputable betting sites to register with. That's why we have gone out of our way to examine a wide selection of bookmakers in the country and itemise the leading ones. That way, wagerers don't have to review betting sites on their own because the exercise is quite tasking and it can take several hours or even a whole day to explore one betting site

Select a Sportsbook

Step 1 - Choosing the best sportsbook

Select a registration option and enter your real personal information in the sign-up form. You'll verify your account via a confirmation code or link. You should also take advantage of the welcome bonus if the operator has one to bet risk-free

Step 2 - Creating an account at sportsbook

Transfer money into your new sportsbook account using one of the offered payment methods

Step 3 - Account top-up

You will see different sports you can bet on and search for the event you would like to bet on. You can choose to have one selection in your bet slip or several of them and then you will see a field where you'll enter your bet amount and then submit your bet

Step 4 - Making a bet

After placing your bet, you need to monitor the outcomes of the game(s) you have included in your bet slip to know whether you have won or lost by following live score updates

Step 5 - Wait for results of the event

If you win, you should head to the cashier's section and withdraw your winnings via the same payment method you had used to make a deposit into your account, but make sure to observe the allowed withdrawal limits, exhaust all the bonuses in your account before creating a withdrawal request, and pass the KYC process if required to do so

Step 6 - Withdraw your winnings

How we rate and review sportsbooks

Here's a glimpse on the parameters we use to investigate bookmakers:

Safety and licensing

We usually explore betting sites in-depth to know whether or not they operate under valid licenses issued by reputable gaming authorities and the safety measures they have implemented to safeguard users' personal data.

Bonuses and promotions

We review the perks available to Rwandan bettors and their terms and conditions to determine whether or not they are realistic.

Localisation

Our team checks if the official website of a bookie is translated into the languages predominantly used in the country, like English and French, the supported payment methods, and it accepts payments in Rwandan Franc.

Available sports and betting markets

The best bookmakers are those that have a wide coverage of sports and thousands of markets bettors can choose on a daily basis.

Sports to bet on at Rwandan betting sites

Rwanda is known to be a sports-oriented country. Many residents engage in sports and actively support national and foreign sportsmen. It's no wonder they actively bet on the following sports disciplines:

Basketball

Basketball is rapidly gaining popularity in Rwanda, especially with the national team's success. The tournaments and leagues most bettors like placing bets in encompass the NBA, the German BBL, EuroLeague, EuroCup, Champions League, and many more

Football

Football is by far the most popular sport for betting in Rwanda. With passionate local support for international championships and leagues like the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the Africa Cup of Nations, the Euros, the English Premier League, regional leagues and national team matches, football attracts the highest number of bets

Volleyball

While not as dominant as football, volleyball remains a steady betting choice for local fans. Users can bet on events in the African Championships, the Champions League, the World Championships, the Nations League, and domestic competitions

Athletics

Rwanda has a strong tradition of running long distances and track events. During major international competitions such as the World Championships, the Olympic Games, the Diamond League, cross country championships, and Paralympics, athletics draws betting attention

Cycling

Cycling has seen a sharp rise in popularity in Rwanda, largely thanks to events like the Tour du Rwanda. There are also various cycling competitions you can wager on, such as Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, Abu Dhabi tour, and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

Mixed Martial arts (MMA)

With big-name fighters and globally televised events, Rwandan bettors are increasingly placing wagers on different categories of MMA fights for both men and women

Other betting options in Rwanda

Apart from traditional sports, bettors from Rwanda can bet on such other options as:

Esports: The esports you can bet on include Counter Strike 2, Valorant, League of Legends, King of Glory, StarCraft II, and Overwatch 2.
Politics: Some betting operators give Rwandan punters an opportunity to wager on the hotly contested elections in the world, like the US presidential elections.
Awards: The most common awards that gambling platforms allow punters to bet on include the Grammys, Oscars, and Emmys, whereby you can bet on the overall winner or individual nominees.

So, if you get bored by sports betting or would like to try something new, you can always bet on the above options.

Types of bets available to Rwandese

The most common types of bets at Rwandan betting sites comprise:

Totals (including alternative totals). A bet of this type normally indicates the total number of points or goals to be scored in a match.
Spreads (including alternative spreads). Spreads involve predicting the number of points or goals a team will win or lose by, while alternative spreads adjust the spread in favour of one side.
Moneyline bet. This is the most straightforward bet in all kinds of sports. One can bet on the outright winner in a fight/match/series etc.
Winning margin. This means that the winning side in a competition will win by a specified number of goals or points.
Over/under bet. This type of bet entails predicting whether the total scores in a match will be less or more than the figure pre-set by a betting operator.
Parlay bets. These are bets containing more than one selection, and they are also called accumulator, combo, multiple, or multi bets.
Quarters/Periods/Innings/Halves. Instead of betting on the outcome of an entire match, you can predict the result over a given period.

The availability of these types of bets depends on bookies and the events you are wagering on.

Is sports betting legal in Rwanda?

Sports betting is completely legal in Rwanda and regulated by the gambling board that's domiciled in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. As such, you can take part in offline or online sports betting while within the borders of the country without any legal implications.

This means that you can join a local betting site that's legally allowed to offer Rwandese sports betting services or an offshore bookie provided it's licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority or go to a betting house in your proximity where sports betting is offered.

Where in Rwanda can I bet on sports?

You can engage in sports betting while in Kigali, Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western provinces as it's legally allowed under law number 58 of 2011. So, no region of the nation is discriminated against when it comes to sports betting.

What's even more exciting is that even tourists can bet on their favorite sports when they visit the nation because there are no restrictions to foreign betting sites.

Responsible gambling and betting in Rwanda

All the bookies we recommend for you promote responsible gambling practices to make sure that Rwandan bettors don't develop betting addiction or suffer the adverse effects of irresponsible gambling.

They also put in place various responsible gambling tools, like betting limits, self-exclusion, time limits, and deposit limits.

But in case you develop problem gambling, you can always reach out to different organisations for assistance, including GambleAware, GamCare, and Crucial Compliance.

FAQ

Is sports betting safe in Rwanda?

Yes. You shouldn't worry about your safety while engaging in sports betting in the country because the government regulates the industry. However, it always helps to choose the most reliable bookies for the best experience.

Are Rwandan players allowed to register with multiple bookmakers?

Yes. Rwandan bettors can register with as many bookies as they can because there's no restriction on the number of betting sites one can join.

Can I make live sports bets in Rwanda?

Yes. Most bookmakers offer live sports betting to Rwandan punters, and in fact, this type of betting has become very popular in the country as one can watch the action unfold and make bets accordingly.