Sierra Leone’s leading sports betting and lottery company, Mercury International, on Monday, July 6, 2026, presented a cheque for Le692,000 to lucky football betting customer Leslie Prince Mensah-Coker, following his impressive win on the company’s football betting platform.

The cheque presentation took place at Mercury International’s headquarters on Walpole Street in Freetown, where company officials reaffirmed their commitment to honouring winnings promptly and maintaining customers’ confidence in the brand.

Speaking during the presentation, Mercury International’s Chief Operations Officer, Beresford Bournes-Coker, described the company as the “Bonus King,” highlighting its generous bonus system that rewards customers who correctly predict 15 football matches.

He explained that Mensah-Coker’s winning ticket qualified for Mercury’s 100 percent bonus promotion. Although the winner placed a total stake of Le25, only a Le5 first-half betting combination secured the jackpot, earning him Le692,000.

Bournes-Coker said the payout demonstrates Mercury International’s financial strength and credibility in Sierra Leone’s betting industry.

“We are always pleased to celebrate such huge winnings because they prove that Mercury keeps its promises. While some betting companies struggle to honour large payouts, Mercury pays its winners promptly. That is why we remain the leading sports betting and Lottery Company in Sierra Leone,” he said.

He added that the company’s success benefits not only customers but also the country’s economy through tax contributions and employment opportunities for young people.

According to him, building customer trust is essential to Mercury’s long-term growth.

“When people know that Mercury pays genuine winners, more customers will have confidence to participate. That benefits the company, the government through taxes, and the entire industry.”

Bournes-Coker encouraged existing and prospective customers to continue participating in Mercury’s games, noting that every player has the opportunity to win.

He also urged the public to take part in the company’s ongoing ‘Win A House Raffle’ promotion, describing home ownership as a valuable investment for both low- and high-income earners.

Receiving his cheque, Mensah-Coker, a pensioner who previously worked with CARE in England, Canada, Nigeria and Ecuador, expressed delight over what he described as the biggest win of his betting career.

He explained that he selected 15 football matches using different betting combinations, staking Le20 on outright match results and Le5 on first-half results. It was the first-half selection that earned him the winning prize.

“I feel very happy. This is my biggest win, and it means a lot to me. As customers, we compete against the betting company, and this time I won,” he said with a smile.

Mensah-Coker disclosed that he intends to use part of the money to support relatives, particularly those in need of educational assistance.

“I will use this money to help people, especially family members who desperately need support with their education.”

He praised Mercury International for its professionalism and prompt payment process, encouraging other Sierra Leoneans to have confidence in the company.

“Mercury International has continued to prove that it is the biggest and most reliable betting company in Sierra Leone. Once you win, they issue your cheque immediately, and you can cash your money without delay. I encourage others to try because there are many opportunities to win.”

The long-time customer revealed that he has been playing Mercury’s games for more than 10 years and believes persistence is key.

“You have to play in order to win,” he concluded.

Mercury International Staff and Retailers Charitable Foundation has on Tuesday, 1st August 2025, donated food items to residents, customers and non-customers at the Portee Community, East End of Freetown.
Among the donated food items were bags of rice, bags of onions, 4 gallons of cooking oil, Ovaltine, 4 cartons of Sardines, Cartons of Cow Bell powdered milk, 2 bags of salt, 1 Carton of Jumbo Maggi, and several other items.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Staff and Retailer Foundation, Yanshim Ibrahim Yansaneh, a staff member from the PR Department, said the gesture is not a new thing for the Foundation, and it is now a usual gesture for the Foundation to share goodies with vulnerable people in different communities.

He said: “We are making such a donation today because it is the Staff and Retailers whose contributions from our salaries and retailers’ commission we can secure funds to buy these items. Today we are at Porotee, your community is not the first to receive such a donation, we’ve been doing this for several other communities, the less privileged homes, the physically challenged and more. With God being our helper, we will continue to do more,” Yanshim said and encouraged them to play and be part of Mercury games before sending a warning message that only those above the age of 18 years should be allowed to be around Mercury International Red Box.

Receiving the food items on behalf of the people, Ishmael Sesay thanked Mercury for thinking about Portee for such a goodwill gesture. He assured the company of their continued support and affirmed that the items donated would be utilized and all those who should benefit from it would benefit.

Ishmeal said Mercury International is and will remain their Number one betting company in Sierra Leone.
In November 2020, the Managing Director of Mercury International Company Limited, Mr Martin E Michael, brought together representatives of the staff and retailers to set up a charitable foundation managed and organised by the staff and retailers without interference from Management or the Board of Directors.

The aim was to create a platform for the staff and retailers to firstly learn about the importance of corporate social responsibility and secondly, for them to give back to their communities and society. The project kicked off in December 2020, and the first donation by the foundation was made on Thursday, the 21st of January 2021, by donating food items worth 10 million Leones to the King George’s Home, Grafton.

Sarah Koroma, a young female student from Kabala, joined the toll of students who have become lucky winners of Mercury International Sports betting and lottery products last Thursday.
Sarah, who has been an avid player of the Mercury International virtual and online games over the past two years, received a key to the Tricycle Kekeh, which was the star prize of the Mercury International online Easter Vegas promotion.
Madam Koroma who is also an entrepreneur, expressed her excitement about the winning, saying, “I am so grateful for this win, as I wasn’t expecting this. Honestly, I am speechless.”
The ambitious young lady also promised that the Kekeh will be definitely used to further support her education and business.
Presenting the prizes to lucky winners at the company’s headquarters, Krootown Road, Freetown, Managing Director, Martin Michael, congratulated all the winners and thanked them for being loyal customers of Mercury International.
He encouraged other Mercury International customers to take advantage of any promotion the Company offers.
Deputy Online Manager, Octavious Jackson said Easter Vegas Promotion started from February 1 and ended on April 13 2025 and it was introduced to give opportunity to customers who are playing the Mercury International virtual games, the casino and other online games of the Company.
He further revealed that aside from Kekeh, the second prize winner rode away with a Motor Bike and Helmet, while the third prize winner collected a motorbike.
A young petty trader, Bockarie Bangalie, was one of the five winners of the Samsung A05 series mobile phones, while over 250 customers won other prizes, including free online vouchers.

The Easter Vegas promotion came just few months after Mercury International handed over a brand-new Suzuki car to Sorie Mansaray, the grand prize winner of the company’s “Start of Season Raffle Draw” in January, 2025.