Limited internet penetration<\/strong> has helped sustain the importance of land-based betting. At the start of 2025, Sierra Leone had approximately 1.8 million internet users, representing about 20.7 per cent of the population, according to digital market research compiled by DataReportal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By early 2026, the number of users had increased slightly to around 1.85 million, pushing internet penetration to about 20.8 per cent. This means the majority of the population remains offline<\/strong>, with DataReportal estimating that roughly 79 per cent of Sierra Leoneans are not connected to the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, operators have developed extensive retail networks to reach customers nationwide. One of the largest gaming companies in the market, Mercury International, distributes sports betting and lottery products through a network of more than 1,500 retailers<\/strong> across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These outlets operate in major cities and regional centres including Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kono and Port Loko, providing locations where players can place wagers, check results and collect winnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the capital, several operational hubs support the retail network, including offices and gaming facilities on Krootown Road, Siaka Stevens Street and Bathurst Street. A key retail and operational location is the Walpole Street centre in Freetown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Walpole Street centre functions as a major payout location<\/strong> where bettors collect winnings. In March 2026, more than Le20m (\u20ac850,000) was paid to 30,000+ football betting winners, with Le14m (\u20ac595,000) going to retail bettors and Le6m (\u20ac255,000) to online players, as thousands of customers collected winnings through retail channels including the Freetown payout centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sector is regulated by the National Lottery Authority<\/strong>, which oversees lottery activities and supervises licensed gaming operators. While mobile betting and online platforms are gradually expanding, improvements in connectivity and digital payments <\/strong>will likely be needed before online channels can rival retail participation in markets such as Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For now, retail betting outlets remain an important pillar of the country\u2019s gambling sector, providing accessible<\/strong> gaming opportunities for players while supporting the continued growth of sports betting and lottery participation. <\/p>\n\n\nMajor retailers dominate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/photo-1434648957308-5e6a859697e8-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n