Betting Sites with M-PESA in Ethiopia (2026): Deposit & Withdrawal Guide
Last updated: September 2026
Safaricom’s M-PESA Ethiopia is the newest mobile-money option in the country, and more bettors are asking whether they can use it instead of Telebirr or CBE Birr. Support is still patchy: some bookmakers list M-PESA in their Ethiopian cashier, while many only accept Telebirr, CBE Birr, HelloCash or Amole.
This guide explains how to check M-PESA support, what to do if your bookmaker does not offer it yet, and which alternatives work best today.
Quick Answer: M-PESA for Betting in Ethiopia
| Is M-PESA widely accepted? | Not yet. Support varies by bookmaker; always check the live cashier. |
| Best backup methods | Telebirr and CBE Birr are accepted by far more Ethiopian betting sites. |
| What to check | M-PESA for deposits and withdrawals, minimum amounts, fees, processing time. |
| Safety | Only pay inside the bookmaker’s cashier. Never send money to a personal number from a chat. |
How to Check if a Betting Site Accepts M-PESA
- Log in on the official site and open Deposit.
- Look for “M-PESA” or “Safaricom” in the list of Ethiopian methods.
- Open Withdraw as well. A method available for deposits is not always available for cash-out.
- Note the minimum and maximum amounts before you pay.
How to Deposit with M-PESA (Typical Flow)
- Choose M-PESA in the cashier and enter the amount in ETB.
- Enter the phone number registered to your M-PESA wallet.
- Approve the payment request on your phone with your PIN.
- Wait for the balance to update. If it does not arrive within a few minutes, keep the transaction ID and contact support.
If Your Bookmaker Does Not Support M-PESA
Use a more widely supported method until M-PESA coverage grows:
- Betting sites with Telebirr – the most widely accepted option.
- Betting sites with CBE Birr – a strong bank-linked backup.
- HelloCash and Amole – supported by several local sites.
International Bookmakers with Ethiopian Mobile-Money Cashiers
These bookmakers accept ETB and list Ethiopian mobile-money deposits such as Telebirr. Check their cashier for M-PESA:
| 1win Big sportsbook with Aviator and a 500% first-deposit bonus. Promo code: ETHIOB | Visit 1win → |
| 1xBet Large ETB sportsbook; reported to list Telebirr among Ethiopian deposit options. | Visit 1xBet → |
| Melbet Low minimum deposit in ETB; reported to list Telebirr among local deposit options. | Visit Melbet → |
Payment methods and offers change; open the cashier and confirm the method before you deposit. 21+ only. All Ethiopian sports-betting licences were revoked on 15 December 2025 and no operator is currently licensed in Ethiopia; the international bookmakers above are licensed abroad, not in Ethiopia. Check the legal status before you deposit, and gamble responsibly.
M-PESA vs Telebirr for Betting
- Coverage: Telebirr is accepted by many more bookmakers today.
- Convenience: both are phone-first and work well for small, frequent deposits.
- Best setup: keep a second method ready in case one cashier route is temporarily unavailable.
For the full process across all methods, see how to deposit and withdraw on betting sites in Ethiopia.
FAQ
Can I use M-PESA for betting in Ethiopia?
Some bookmakers accept it, but not all. Check the deposit and withdrawal sections of the cashier before you register.
Is M-PESA better than Telebirr for betting?
Not yet for most players, because Telebirr is accepted on more sites. M-PESA is useful as a second option where it is supported.
My M-PESA deposit did not arrive. What should I do?
Keep the transaction ID and SMS, then contact the bookmaker’s support through the official site. See our guide on payment problems.