Online bingo exists in a legal gray area in Sierra Leone, as gambling is not illegal but has no specific regulations or licensing framework for internet-based platforms (1). The primary gambling law governing Sierra Leone is the 1959 Lotteries Ordinance, which does not prohibit any forms of gambling including online bingo, effectively making it lawful by default (1). However, there is no dedicated regulatory body overseeing online gambling, meaning that while online bingo is not criminalized, it also lacks government oversight and player protections (1). Land-based gambling operations such as casinos and lotteries remain regulated by the Ministry of Finance, but online gambling exists completely outside this regulatory structure (1).
Currently, no licensing procedure is clearly established regarding online gambling in Sierra Leone, creating challenges for both operators and players (1). Mercury International is the only licensed betting company operating in Sierra Leone and holds a monopoly on state-sponsored betting services (1). The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has recently emphasized its commitment to ensuring betting operators comply with tax obligations including Goods and Services Tax and Excise Tax on Gaming and Betting under the Finance Acts of 2024 and 2025, though this applies primarily to licensed betting companies rather than unlicensed online platforms (2). Without specific online gambling regulations, international online bingo platforms operate without formal government approval or oversight (1).
"The NRA emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all operators in the betting sector adhere to tax obligations, including Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Withholding Taxes, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Excise Tax on Gaming and Betting. A key directive was the requirement for betting companies to integrate their systems with the NRA to enhance transparency and enable thorough audits of their operations."
Residents of Sierra Leone can access online bingo through international platforms without legal consequences, as the government does not prosecute individuals for participating in unregulated online gambling (1). However, players operate entirely at their own risk, with no government protections in disputes or cases of financial loss (1). Given the openness of Sierra Leone towards gambling and its economic potential, the government is likely to develop comprehensive online gambling regulations in the future, similar to its existing framework for land-based casinos and lotteries (1). The minimum legal gambling age in Sierra Leone is 18 years, though this requirement is largely unenforced for online platforms due to the absence of regulatory oversight (2).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-sierra-leone/
https://sierraloaded.sl/local/nra-betting-companies-regulatory-compliance/
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
