Is online gambling legal in Sierra Leone?

Operators withhold 15% on lottery winnings of Le 500,000 or more, and how that applies to sports betting winnings is not explicitly defined. There is no national self-exclusion scheme or government-run problem gambling helpline.

Online gambling is not regulated here (online casino, sports betting and online poker grey/partial). Offshore sites are reachable, but if something goes wrong you may have no one to complain to.

Online sports betting is not regulated: no Sierra Leone licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. Online casino is not regulated: no Sierra Leone licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. Online poker is not regulated: no Sierra Leone licence exists for it, and sites offering it operate without one. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Sierra Leone.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Sierra Leone: Legal.

Gambling with crypto: Allowed.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Sierra Leone, for online casino, sports betting and lottery alike.

Operators withhold 15% on lottery winnings of Le 500,000 or more. The application to sports betting winnings is not explicitly defined.

There are approximately 10 licensed operators in Sierra Leone as of 18 Jun 2026.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Ministry of Finance (primary), National Tourist Board (casinos), National Revenue Authority (tax enforcement) licence before depositing.

Prominent operators in Sierra Leone

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

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  Verify the operator is registered with the NRA

  While there is no public online register of licensees, legitimate operators must be registered with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) for tax purposes. Look for operators who were part of the NRA's compliance meetings.

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  Use trusted local payment methods

  Prefer operators that support well-known mobile money services like Orange Money and Afrimoney. These provide a more secure and traceable way to transact than direct bank transfers to unknown international entities.

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  Understand the tax on lottery winnings

  Any lottery win of Le 500,000 or more is subject to a 15% withholding tax. The operator is required to deduct this before paying you.

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  Beware of unregulated international sites

  Since the online market is a grey area, many international sites are accessible. These sites are not regulated by Sierra Leonean authorities, so you have no local recourse in case of a dispute.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Sierra Leone. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Sierra Leone. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.

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   1. Contact the Operator Directly

   Players should first attempt to resolve any disputes regarding bets, payments, or account issues directly with the customer service department of the betting company.

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   2. Escalate to the Commercial Court

   If a dispute cannot be resolved with the operator, the primary recourse is through Sierra Leone's legal system. Commercial disputes are typically handled by the country's court system, with arbitration also being an option.

• Myth

  All gambling winnings are taxed at 15%.
  Reality

  This is incorrect. The 15% withholding tax only applies to lottery winnings of Le 500,000 or more. The law does not explicitly state that this tax applies to sports betting winnings.

• Myth

  Online betting is illegal in Sierra Leone.
  Reality

  Online betting operates in a legal grey area. While there is no specific online gambling law, it is not explicitly illegal. Many international operators are accessible, and local company Mercury International operates online as an extension of its land-based license.

• Myth

  The government has a central system to help with problem gambling.
  Reality

  There is no national self-exclusion scheme or government-run problem gambling helpline in Sierra Leone. Responsible gambling tools are only available if offered voluntarily by individual operators.