If you are looking around for legal betting sites in Sierra Leone, this is where to learn all about them. Right here, you will get the most essential info on online betting in Sierra Leone with valuable tips for choosing the best site for you to bet at.
We won’t make your head hurt by introducing you to tons of little-known betting sites, but only the best and most secure bookmakers. This way, you can rest assured that you will receive only quality services and the best experience possible.
Is gambling legal in Sierra Leone?
Gambling in Sierra Leone is legal thanks to the Lotteries Ordinance from 1959, which made different forms of land-based gambling legal. However, some forms of online gambling are not regulated enough, except for online sports betting.
Sierra Leone is known to be a home for many online betting operators, and several Units within the Ministry of Finance supervise online gambling and land-based gambling activities.
An interesting fact about online sports betting in Sierra Leone is that there are a couple of sportsbook operators there, with Mercury International being the sportsbook that the Ministry of Finance licenses. This is the primary and most popular betting platform.
Another very popular one is SLSLC (Sierra Leone State Lottery Company), and together, the two providers offer the best online sports betting.
Of course, the most loved games are horse races, dog races, and football betting.
Under the Sierra Leone gambling laws, people under the age of 18 are prohibited from gambling.
Important criteria on choosing a bookmaker
- Bookmaker margins
- Welcome bonus
- Customer Service
- Odds / Payout Levels
- Mobile Betting
- Live Betting
- Payment Methods
- User Experience
- Bonus Features
Online sports betting in Sierra Leone
Even though the land-based sports betting sector in Sierra Leone is one of the most developed gambling sectors, online sports betting is on the rise and slowly going up the ladder. Still, the only regulated company that offers online betting is Mercury International, as we already mentioned, which is quite limited on a local level.
Of course, besides this company, you can find many more international sports betting websites that accept players from Sierra Leone. Most of them are part of leading sports betting companies in Africa that offer lots of betting options and good promotions.
Online Casinos in Sierra Leone
The law does not explicitly regulate online casinos in Sierra Leone, but gambling is legal in general, and regulations might come off as neither too strict nor specific.
The lack of solid regulation is probably because Sierra Leone doesn’t consider gambling that important, and around 11% of the nation has access to the Internet.
Right now, online casinos that are based in Sierra Leone are pretty hard to find since obtaining a license within the country is on the fence, too.
A big pro to this lack of regulation is that Sierra Leonean gamblers can play wherever they want in international online casinos that let them.
Mobile betting
Mobile betting is pretty common among online bookmakers in Sierra Leone. They make it easier for players to bet anywhere they are by loading the sites on their tablets or smartphones. The devices have to have an iOS or Android operating system.
Bookmakers can have apps, or they can have compatible mobile websites, and both options are good. With apps, players can have a technologically better experience, while by using a mobile compatible website, they won’t clog their phone’s memory. The choice is individual.
Deposit & withdrawal
Depositing and withdrawing within bookmakers in Sierra Leone can be done in various methods. The most popular ones are e-wallets, debit and credit cards, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. Players can load up their e-wallets beforehand and start depositing right away. Depositing with e-payment methods is very fast and easy.
Withdrawing can be done with e-payment methods, too, with an instant withdrawing time. For example, a bank transfer usually takes about 3-5 business days.
Bonuses and promotions
Bonuses and promotions are an excellent way for players to be encouraged to sign into an operator and start playing.
You can often see great welcome bonuses, bonuses for regular players, seasonal promotions, free bonus funds, and others.
Sometimes a bonus might come that offers prizes like cars and other goods, but they don’t come around that often. Still, it’s a fun way for players to interact with it and have fun.
If a player knows how to use those promotions wisely, they can double their winnings instantly. The trick is to know and calculate your limits accordingly so you don’t end up losing.