- Broad sportsbook with mainstream and niche sports, live betting, esports, and virtuals.
- Android and iOS access, plus a full mobile web and app ecosystem.
- Live streaming and live betting are promoted as core features.
- Large cashier mix, with bank transfer, e-wallets, mobile-wallet rails, and crypto widely promoted.
- Market depth drops noticeably outside top-tier football and hockey events.
- Margins on live betting and secondary markets can exceed 10%.
- Odds are less competitive beyond headline matches and major leagues.
- Coverage is wide, but deeper market quality is uneven across sports.
How make bets
MelBet is an international bookmaker focused on sportsbook, live betting, esports, casino, live casino, virtual sports, poker, TV games, and mobile apps. The brand positions itself as a high-volume multi-vertical operator for the African market rather than a narrow sportsbook-only platform, with a strong emphasis on live play, broad market coverage, and integrated payments.
Licensing. MelBet is operated by Pelican Entertainment B.V., a company incorporated under the laws of Curaçao with company number 134359. According to the current official licensing statement, the operator is licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board under licence number OGL/2024/561/0554.
The company also operates in a number of African markets under local or market-specific licences, including the following:
- Kenya − Betting licence No. 0001174 and Casino licence No. 0001176, both issued by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of the Republic of Kenya.
- Cameroon − licence No. OGL/2024/561/0554, issued by the Ministère de l’Administration Territoriale du Cameroun.
- Côte d’Ivoire − a licence issued by the Loterie Nationale de la République de Côte d’Ivoire.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo − licence No. CD/KNG/RCCM/20-B-00938, issued by SONAL de la République démocratique du Congo.
- Ghana − Betting licence No. GCSB24M8194D, issued by the Gaming Commission of Ghana.
For the African market, Kenya is one of the clearest locally licensed MelBet markets and a useful reference point for the sportsbook offer. The brand presents a broad betting product there, covering mainstream sports, live betting, esports, and virtual sports as part of a wider multi-vertical platform.
The company is in demand in Africa. Especially in Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Kenya. Despite the fact that most of the company’s users are from Ethiopia, the bookmaker does not have a license in that country.
Taxation. Tax treatment depends on the player’s country and local law. MelBet does not follow one standard tax approach across all African markets, so players should check the local rules in Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, or their own jurisdiction before betting.
Registration and Verification
Registration follows a standard form-based process:
- Open the official MelBet website or app.
- Click the registration button.
- Choose a welcome bonus or skip it.
- Enter your first name, surname, and phone number.
- Select the delivery method for the confirmation code.
- Choose your account currency.
- Enter the confirmation code.
- Add a promo code if you have one.
- Complete the registration and sign in to your account.
Verification may be required before using some account features or withdrawing money. In practice, the player may be asked to confirm personal details and upload an ID document. Extra checks can also apply before larger withdrawals are approved.
That is consistent with a bookmaker that allows fast sign-up but still relies on KYC at account and payout stage.
How to Place a Bet
Once the account is funded, the betting flow is standard.
- Open Sports or Live.
- Choose a sport and select the event.
- Tap the odds for the preferred outcome.
- Check the bet slip.
- Enter the stake.
- Confirm the wager.
For accumulators, add multiple selections before confirming. For live betting, the official app page highlights live streaming, live odds, and real-time score updates, which means timing matters more than on prematch coupons.
Refill and withdraw methods
Availability of payment methods may vary by country and cashier settings. For example, MelBet publicly lists M-Pesa and Airtel Money for Kenya, MTN Mobile Money / Vodafone Cash / AirtelTigo Money for Ghana, while Tanzania-focused options are typically tied to local mobile money providers.
