Betting Sites Malawi: Best Online Bookmakers 2026

Malawi might have the biggest betting market in Africa, but it’s home to some of the most passionate bettors and popular betting sites. Online betting is legal on regulated sites in Malawi, and this guide will show you the top sports betting sites Malawi to play at, the best sports to wager on, and so much more.

Online sports betting in Malawi is regulated by the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA), which was formally established in 2022. The commission is in charge of issuing licenses to operators, monitoring their operations, and taking complaints from players.

If you’re in Malawi, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old to create an account on the best sports betting sites.

Now, it’s time to walk you through the top sports betting sites in Malawi and what you stand to enjoy when you sign up and deposit.

1win

1win has been around for years and remains a leading international bookie among Malawian sports lovers. The platform starts you off with a 500% bonus on your first deposit and is one of the few sites out there that even lets you claim the welcome bonus with a crypto deposit. 1win also features markets and odds from over 35 sports, as well as a massive casino library with 3000+ games.

Bet365

bet365 has been setting the standard for online sports betting for years, and Malawians get to enjoy the site’s numerous perks by signing up in minutes.

For starters, bet365 is a football hub with markets for all English football leagues and multiple divisions across Europe, Asia, and even Africa. These markets also come with low-margin odds, especially on top games like a UCL knockout clash.

You then get to explore dozens of live streams across football, tennis, and horse racing. The platform is also simple and perfect for new bettors who won’t stress looking for pre-match, live, or outright betting options.

1xbet

1xBet is by far one of the most popular international bookies in Malawi. The site has been active for years, offering markets on over 40 sports and major events like the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and World Cup. It’s also perfect for football bettors because it offers high payout rates up to 97% on the biggest matches. This is in addition to mobile payment options and dedicated apps for Android and iOS.

22bet

22bet is another popular international bookie that has found a home in the hearts of Malawian sports bettors. One of the standouts of this platform is how easy the site is to operate. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, navigating 22bet is super smooth on both mobile and desktop. You also get to enjoy a welcome bonus along with features like an Acca Boost, cashout, and more.

Betwinner

Betwinner is one of the betting sites Malawi if you’re looking for premium odds on the EPL, UCL, and NBA. The bookie has a reputation for its high payout rate and premium live betting. You can find over a thousand live markets every day, and the user-friendly app means placing bets on them is super easy. We also like that Malawians can easily withdraw winnings in minutes using Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba.

Now that you’ve seen our five best online betting sites in Malawi, you might be wondering how we settled on these bookies. Well, here at RatingBet, we have a ranking system for our bookmakers, and here are some of the key factors we consider when choosing these sites.

• Licensing: This is the first thing we check when we visit the platform. Are they licensed by MAGLA? Because this guarantees that you always get your payouts and that the odds remain fair. But Malawi is still a young market, and so we don’t fully ignore international sites licensed by respected gaming bodies. These sites also have a commitment to protecting players and ensuring fair play.
• Sports and Market Selection: Malawians are very passionate sports fans and enjoy placing bets on a wide range of sports. This means we only go for top sports betting sites that offer multiple sports and dozens of markets, including player and team specials.
• Bonuses and Promotions: Who doesn’t like a good bonus? Especially when it's for simple tasks like creating an account or making a deposit. We highly rate sites with good bonuses for new and regular players. It’s also important that these promotions have fair terms so players can cash out from them.
• Payment Reliability: Whether it’s funding your account or withdrawing winnings, we never want you to stress, and that’s why we confirm that our bookies have reliable payment systems before listing them.
• Mobile and Desktop Compatibility: Online betting should be smooth and enjoyable regardless of the device being used. We go for sites with seamless, quick, and easy mobile and desktop sites, and even rate those with apps higher.

As we mentioned earlier, Malawians are very passionate about sports, and that’s one of the main reasons online betting is becoming very popular these days. Fans no longer want to just watch and cheer on for their favorite teams and players, they want to back them with bets and land payouts in the process.

If you’re looking for inspiration on popular sports to bet on in Malawi, here are the top ones people love the most:

1. Football: It’s not surprising that this leads the pack, as it’s the official sport in Malawi. While the national team has not had much success on the international stage, the Super League of Malawi is still big and boasts thousands of fans. You also have those who support top European teams and love to watch the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Champions League, and more.
2. Netball: Football might be the most-watched sport in Malawi, but Netball remains the heart of the nation. The Malawi Queens are currently among the best teams in the world of women's netball and attract a lot of viewers.
3. Basketball: This is another popular sport at betting sites Malawi, with the NBA, Euro League, NCAAB, and FIBA World Cup boasting tons of fans in the country.
4. Athletics: Track and field events like running remain big in Malawi, with events like the Blantyre 42.195KM Marathon among the most watched every year

In addition to their passion for sports, Malawi has also seen a rise in mobile payment options like Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba, making it easier for betting fans to fund their accounts and withdraw winnings in minutes.

One of the best things about top betting sites in Malawi is being able to privately place whatever bet you like from the comfort of your home. Players seeking a little bit more privacy would love cryptocurrency. At Bitcoin sports betting sites like 1xBet and 1Win, you don’t have to share your banking details. You can create a crypto wallet address in minutes that’s not tied to your details, giving you more privacy.

These crypto betting sites also offer faster transactions, and you get to pay using different tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, TRON, and more. Just be careful when using volatile coins like BTC and ETH because their prices change quickly and this can affect the actual value of your deposit or payout over time.

People love to play at popular sports betting sites because they offer both welcome bonuses when you sign up and regular bonuses when you keep on placing wagers. But before signing up at a site because of their bonus, there are certain things you need to check beyond the numbers.

The first and most important is the wagering requirement. This is the number of times you must wager the bonus before you can withdraw, and anything above 10x is too much. Most sites set their wager at 5x, and you might even be lucky to find lower.

Also look at the odds restrictions for the bonus, as some sites limit you from betting on odds below a certain number while using bonus funds. The expiry date of the bonus is another thing you want to look out for because you surely don’t want an offer that becomes invalid just a few days after claiming.

We considered all this and more when choosing our best betting sites in Malawi, and this table tells you all you need to know about their bonuses.

Online betting in Malawi has grown extensively in the last few years, and you can tell from the range of payment options now available to punters. These options are mainly divided into two categories, which are the traditional and modern.

Traditional payment options at betting sites Malawi include:

• Local bank transfer
• Credit cards

These two methods are used by many because they are seen as safer. They are also more common with basically all the betting sites in the country accepting some form of bank transfer and cards like Visa and MasterCard.

But while these options are common and safe, they are not as quick as the modern ones. If you want instant deposits and withdrawals that land in minutes, you’re better off using mobile money wallets like Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba or crypto tokens like BTC, ETH, and USDT. These options are also safe and reliable, with the added advantage of privacy.

Malawi formally opened its online betting market in 2022, making it one of the younger markets on the continent. As such, the country has few local bookies. This is why new betting sites in Malawi from international operators are helping fill the gap with more generous bonuses, bigger sports and market collection, crypto, and more modern payment options, and even casino offerings for those who want a break from the odds.

These bookies are not too different from the local sites, and while they might not hold licenses from MAGLA, they are still backed by trusted international regulators. You also get your user-friendly interface, payments in the local Kwacha, and fun features like cash out and bet builder. Here are some top international betting sites Malawi.

• 1xBet
• Betwinner
• 1Win

If you prefer to do your betting on the phone, you’d be happy to know that most of the best online sports betting sites in Malawi offer dedicated apps or mobile versions of their site for easier access and operation.

The mobile versions of these sites let you enjoy the full functionality of the platform, including creating an account, depositing, placing pre-match and live bets, claiming bonuses, and withdrawing. So before you register on free betting sites Malawi, make sure you confirm the mobile compatibility, how easy it is to navigate, and if operations are smooth and quick.

There you have it, the best malawi betting sites have to offer, and everything you need to know about them. Malawi’s betting market has expanded greatly in recent years, and you now have both local and international sites that offer dozens of sports, thousands of markets, generous bonuses, smooth mobile apps, and convenient payment options. Make sure you do your research properly and only play at sites with a valid license from MAGLA or a respected international body like Curacao and the Malta Gaming Association.

Is there sports betting sites Malawi?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Malawi and regulated by the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority. Anyone over 18 can sign up and start placing bets in minutes.

What is the most popular sport in Malawi?

The most popular sports in Malawi are football and netball, with fans backing European teams like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United, as well as the Malawi Queens for women’s netball.

Is 1xbet available in Malawi?

Yes, 1xBet is available in Malawi. You can register an account, deposit, place bets, and withdraw your winnings by visiting the site or downloading the app.

Do sports betting platforms in Malawi offer betting bonuses?

Yes, all betting sites in Malawi that we reviewed offer both welcome bonuses to new players and regular promotions for existing bettors.