- Founded
- 2013-01-01 in East Africa (operations began in Tanzania)
MBet is a leading sportsbook and online casino operator headquartered in East Africa, with a primary focus on the Tanzanian and Democratic Republic of Congo markets. Founded in 2013, the company grew into one of the region’s most recognised betting brands by pioneering mobile-first solutions such as USSD and SMS betting, enabling customers with feature phones to place bets without internet access. MBet was an early adopter of localised features including a DIY event creation tool and a dynamic betslip engine supporting up to 50 accumulator selections. In 2024, the operator announced a landmark turnkey partnership with EveryMatrix, migrating from its proprietary 11-year-old technology stack to EveryMatrix’s OddsMatrix sportsbook, CasinoEngine, BonusEngine, and GamMatrix platforms. This deal is EveryMatrix’s largest African turnkey agreement to date and positions MBet to scale rapidly across the continent. The operator also maintains a sports betting presence in South Africa via mbet.co.za. While exact financial figures are not disclosed, MBet’s partnerships and market penetration suggest a substantial operation with hundreds of thousands of active users. The company is led by CEO Javier Diaz, who has overseen the transition to third-party technology to drive the next phase of growth.
Detailed Review
History
MBet was founded in 2013 and quickly established itself as a staple of East African sports betting, operating across five countries. It was the first operator in Tanzania to offer a full spectrum of mobile betting channels, including USSD and SMS, allowing customers without smartphones to place bets seamlessly. The company’s proprietary platform, built over 11 years, was eventually deemed insufficient for further expansion, prompting a comprehensive technology refresh.
In a highly competitive tender process, EveryMatrix was selected to provide a full turnkey solution, replacing MBet’s in-house stack with OddsMatrix’s industry-leading sportsbook, which offers over 170,000 monthly live events, comprehensive odds management tools, and an 11-sport pre-live and live Bet Builder. The integration also includes EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine for casino content aggregation, BonusEngine for cross-product promotions, and GamMatrix for player management and compliance.
Products and Platforms
MBet’s product range covers sports betting (pre-match and live), online casino games, virtual sports, and lottery products. The brand maintains local partnerships with sports teams and leagues to drive customer engagement. Key platforms include OddsMatrix Sportsbook, CasinoEngine, BonusEngine, GamMatrix, USSD & SMS betting, a DIY event creation tool, and a dynamic betslip engine. Virtual sports are available 24/7, and the South African brand MBet Sport operates at mbet.co.za.
Market Position and Partnerships
Despite a strong regional presence, MBet has not publicly disclosed its headquarters city or exact headcount; its leadership structure remains lean, with CEO Javier Diaz as the most visible executive. The company’s ability to secure a tier-one technology partner suggests strong financial backing and ambition to expand beyond its current markets. No major funding rounds have been publicly announced, though the EveryMatrix deal may have involved undisclosed commercial terms. MBet’s focus on mobile-first solutions and localised features has helped it capture a significant share of East Africa’s betting market.
Key Products
CasinoEngine
Casino productivity platform providing access to thousands of slots, table games, and live dealer titles from top providers.
BonusEngine
Cross-product reward system enabling personalised bonuses, free bets, and loyalty programmes across sports and casino.
GamMatrix
Player management platform for identity verification, payment processing, and regulatory compliance.
USSD & SMS Betting
Mobile betting channels for feature phones, allowing customers to place bets without internet connectivity.
DIY Event Creation
Tool that enables customers to create custom betting events, e.g., on local sports or niche markets.
Dynamic Betslip Engine
Supports up to 50 accumulator selections with automatic best-odds calculation.
Virtual Sports
Simulated sports events available for betting 24/7, covering football, horse racing, and other sports.
MBet Sport (South Africa)
Standalone sportsbook brand at mbet.co.za, offering localised betting markets and promotions.
OddsMatrix Sportsbook
High-performance digital sportsbook with 170,000+ monthly live events, pre-live and live Bet Builder, and Odds Management control tools.