Betting USSD Codes in Ghana: How They Work, How to Find the Real Ones and How to Stay Safe

Updated October 2026 · By the BetGhanaHub team

Not everybody in Ghana has strong data all the time. In many towns and villages, and even in parts of Accra when the network misbehaves, USSD is the most reliable way to move money. That's why betting USSD codes are so popular: you dial a short code, follow the menu, and fund your betting account or even place a bet without opening an app.

This guide explains how betting USSD codes work in Ghana, how to find the official code for your bookmaker, and, most importantly, how to avoid the scams that copy them. I won't list a big table of codes here, my brother, and I'll tell you why: codes change, and fake lists are one of the ways fraudsters catch people.

What is a USSD code?

USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It's the technology behind the short codes that start with * and end with #, like the ones you use to check your airtime balance. When you dial a USSD code, your phone opens a live session with your network or a service provider, showing text menus you answer by typing numbers.

USSD works on any phone, smart or basic, and doesn't use mobile data. Sessions are short, and if you wait too long between steps, the session times out and you start again.

Two kinds of USSD used for betting

1. Mobile money USSD menus

Your mobile money wallet has its own USSD menu. MTN MoMo users widely know *170#, while Telecel Cash and AT Money have their own menus, commonly reached via *110#. Inside these menus, you'll find options to pay merchants or bills, which some bookmakers use to receive deposits. Always confirm the current menu and code with your network directly, as menus can change.

2. Bookmaker USSD services

Some Ghana-licensed bookmakers run their own USSD short codes. Depending on the operator, these can let you register, deposit, check your balance, place simple bets using a game ID, check results or request withdrawals. Not every bookmaker offers this, and features differ widely.

How a typical USSD deposit works

Exact steps depend on your bookmaker and wallet, but the flow usually looks like this:

1. Log in to your betting account on the website or app (or dial the bookmaker's official USSD code if it supports deposits).
2. Choose deposit, select your mobile money network, and enter the amount in cedis.
3. Your phone receives a prompt from your mobile money provider asking you to approve the payment.
4. Enter your mobile money PIN on your own phone's prompt to approve.
5. You receive a confirmation SMS from your mobile money provider, and the balance appears in your betting account.

The key point: you only ever type your PIN into your own phone's official prompt from your network. A bookmaker never needs to know your PIN, and nobody legitimate will ask you for it.

Placing bets by USSD

Where bookmakers offer USSD betting, it usually works through match or game IDs. You find a fixture's ID on the bookmaker's website, a printed coupon in a shop, or an SMS, then dial the code and enter the ID and your selection. Some menus allow singles and short multiples; others are limited to basic markets like home, draw or away.

USSD betting is useful when data is poor, but it has limits. You can't see much information on screen, it's easy to make a typing mistake with match IDs, and sessions can time out mid-bet. Always check the confirmation message carefully: match, selection, odds and stake.

How to find the real USSD code for your bookmaker

This is the most important part of this guide. Only trust a USSD code you find through one of these sources:

• The bookmaker's official website, usually on the deposit, help or FAQ page.
• The bookmaker's official app.
• The bookmaker's verified social media accounts.
• Printed materials inside an official shop.
• Your mobile network operator, for mobile money menus.

Don't trust codes from random blogs, WhatsApp forwards, Telegram groups or SMS messages from unknown numbers. Lists online are often outdated, and some are deliberately wrong.

USSD scams to watch out for

Fake "reversal" calls

A caller says money was sent to your wallet by mistake and asks you to dial a code to "reverse" it. The code actually authorises a payment from your wallet to theirs. Check your actual balance through your official menu; don't dial codes strangers give you.

Fake bookmaker agents

Someone claims to be from a betting company and offers a bonus or "account activation" if you dial a code and enter your PIN. No genuine bookmaker will ask for your PIN.

"Booking code" and "fixed match" sellers

Fraudsters sell supposed sure wins and ask for payment by mobile money. Once you pay, they disappear, or send another "code" that loses.

SIM swap attempts

Criminals try to take over your phone number to receive your one-time codes. Be wary of unexpected loss of network on your SIM, and contact your network quickly if it happens.

If you've been scammed, contact your mobile money provider immediately using its official helpline, and report the incident to the police. Speed really matters.

Fees and limits

Mobile money transactions can carry fees, and limits apply to how much you can send per transaction and per day, depending on your wallet's verification level. Some bookmakers absorb deposit fees; others don't. Check the bookmaker's deposit page and your wallet's fee schedule. Ghana's electronic transfer levy (E-Levy) was repealed with effect from 2 April 2025, so it no longer applies to mobile money transfers.

Withdrawals to mobile money

Most Ghana-licensed bookmakers let you withdraw to the mobile money wallet registered in your name. Some allow USSD withdrawal requests; most handle withdrawals through the website or app. Make sure the name on your betting account matches the name on your mobile money wallet; mismatches are a common reason withdrawals get stuck. You may need to verify your identity, often with your Ghana Card, before a first withdrawal.

Common USSD errors and fixes

Never repeat a deposit just because it hasn't appeared yet. Wait, check your mobile money statement, and contact support with the transaction ID.

Good habits for every USSD session

• Prepare before you dial. Have your amount, match IDs and selections written down, so the session doesn't time out while you think.
• Read every screen. USSD menus are short, and it's easy to press the wrong number. Check the recipient name or merchant before you approve a payment.
• Keep confirmation messages. Don't delete the SMS from your mobile money provider or bookmaker until the transaction has fully settled. You may need the transaction ID.
• Protect your phone. Use a screen lock, and don't leave your phone with strangers in a shop or at a drinking spot.
• Use your own SIM and wallet. Funding a betting account from someone else's wallet causes problems with withdrawals and verification.

Basic phones vs smartphones

One of USSD's strengths is that it works on the simplest feature phones. If you only have a basic phone, USSD may be your main way to deposit and possibly bet. On a smartphone, you can use the app or mobile website for browsing fixtures and odds, then use USSD-based mobile money approvals for deposits. Many punters use both: the app to research and build a slip, and the mobile money prompt to fund it.

If your area often has weak data, consider downloading fixture lists or checking the bookmaker's website when you have a good connection, then using USSD when you're back on a weaker signal.

Using USSD at a betting shop

In many communities, betting shops and agents help customers fund accounts with mobile money. If you use one:

• Use only official, branded shops.
• Approve payments on your own phone yourself; never hand your phone and PIN to an attendant.
• Get a printed receipt or ticket for every bet.
• Check the ticket details before leaving.

Keeping track of what you spend

Because USSD deposits are quick and small, it's easy to lose count. Your mobile money statement is a useful record: at the end of each week, check how much went to betting merchants. Many people are honestly surprised by how large the weekly total turns out to be. Write it down next to what you withdrew, and you'll have an honest picture of what your betting really costs you each month.

What to do if you send money to the wrong number

Mistakes happen, especially when typing quickly. If you send a betting deposit or payment to the wrong mobile money number, contact your provider's official customer service immediately with the transaction ID, the amount and the time. Providers have processes for disputed transfers, but speed improves your chances. Don't try to sort it out by calling the recipient yourself and following their instructions; that's how some people end up being scammed a second time. Let the provider handle it, and keep every message as evidence until the matter is closed.

USSD and offshore crypto betting

Offshore crypto sportsbooks, such as Cloudbet, licensed in Curaçao and not by the Gaming Commission of Ghana, don't accept mobile money or USSD deposits directly. Ghanaians who use them typically buy crypto through a P2P market, paying with MoMo, then send it to the sportsbook. That's a completely different process with its own risks, including network mistakes and price swings. If USSD simplicity is what you value, a Ghana-licensed bookmaker is the more natural fit.

Is USSD betting legal and regulated?

Betting through a bookmaker licensed by the Gaming Commission of Ghana under the Gaming Act 2006 (Act 721) is legal for adults 18 and over, whether you use the app, the website, a shop or USSD. The licence is what matters. You can check licensed operators with the Gaming Commission. Since 2 April 2025, the 10% withholding tax on winnings has been abolished.

Responsible betting with USSD

USSD makes betting very fast. A few dials and money moves, which is convenient but also risky when you're upset or chasing a loss. Some tips:

• Set a weekly budget in cedis and keep it in mind before every deposit.
• Use deposit limits on your betting account if available.
• Don't fund betting from money meant for transport, food, school fees or family needs.
• Take breaks, especially late at night.

If betting is causing stress, call the Mental Health Authority's free line on 0800 678 678, or the Gaming Commission of Ghana on 0800 454 545 or (027) 469 8935 to ask about self-exclusion. Our responsible gambling page has more help.