By: Humu Koroma (Intern)

Sierra Leone’s top betting operator, Mercury International, continues to demonstrate its prowess by making its second-largest Lotto payout of the year, totalling Nle 4,572,418 (Four Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy-Two Million, Four Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Old Leones) to over 8,000 lottery winners across Sierra Leone.  

This latest payment came following Sunday’s Lotto draws, as both ‘Sunday Special Draw’ and ‘Dove Court Special Draw’ produced a combined winning of 4,338,825 (Four Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-eight Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Old Leones). Thanks to the popular ’12- 21 ‘, which dropped in both draws.

The ‘Sunday Special Draw’ produced 49-9-53-21-12 Extra 6 & 7 (66-23) as winning balls; while the ‘Dove Court Special Draw’ saw 12-51-75-20-21 Extra 6 & 7 (79-35) as winning balls.

Meanwhile, the other three draws of the day- Leicester Peak, Super Sunday and Mambo, also provided a swollen wallet for other lucky winners.

This latest massive payout in the lotto product came seven months after the Sierra Leone Sports Betting and Lottery giant delivered a record payout of NLe 6,000,000 (Six Billion Old Leones) to over 5,000 lucky lotto winners.

“This win has reinforced our market leadership and retail-led engagement. Like we always say to our beloved customers, play or bet responsibly, as we will continue to change the lives of Sierra Leoneans,” said Sahr Morris Jr, the Company’s Deputy Public Relations Officer.

Juma, a 40 22-year-old man who won NLe 45,000 with a stake of NLe 30 on multiple tickets, said he will continue to play and win more money from Mercury, adding that he is no stranger to winning both Lotto and football betting.

Ibrahim Massaquoi from Kenema, one of the biggest individual winners, played three numbers, totalling 17 tickets, and won over 80 million old Leones.

He said he has been winning a lot of money through Mercury International games, and this particular win was my sixth biggest since playing for over four years now.

“Mercury International is indeed a poverty-elevation company; they are making a difference in our lives,” Massaquoi said and revealed he will use the money to continue with his building project.

Mammy Sallay, as she is called, admitted that 12-21 is her main ball and was, however, surprised to see the ball repeat itself in both draws on Sunday. Winning a total of NLe12,000, she was very delighted and revealed that the money will be used to add to her business.

By: Fatmata S. Kargbo (Intern)

A businessman from Kenema has confirmed the authenticity of Mercury International’s “Win a House Raffle” after taking possession of the grand prize on Monday.

The winner, 39-year-old Abu Fomba, received the keys to his new house at Taff Salone, where the property is located. Speaking to reporters shortly after the handover, Fomba admitted that he had doubted the announcement until the keys were officially presented to him.

“I now know Mercury is real. In this heavy rain, I feel the heat of the scorching sun,” he said, expressing his overwhelming excitement while encouraging members of the public to purchase Mercury products for a chance to benefit from future promotions.

Mercury International’s Managing Director, Martin Edmond Michael, described the house giveaway as the company’s biggest promotional prize to date. He noted that the company had previously rewarded customers with cars, tricycles (kekehs), and motorcycles, but said the house represented a new milestone.

Michael thanked the company’s employees and its network of retailers for their continued support, adding that Mercury International would soon unveil two more major prizes as part of its Christmas promotional campaign.

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.

Sierra Leone’s lead Sports Betting and Lottery Company, Mercury International, on Monday, 29th June 2026, made a surprise visit to old-time friends, the aged at King George’s Home, Grafton, and provided food items worth millions of Leones.

Known for its continued commitment to its unchallenged Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mercury International brought a smile to the faces of the aged, who warmly welcomed the betting company’s delegation.

Presenting the items, the company’s Deputy Public Relations Manager, Sahr Morris Jr., recalled their long-standing relationship with the home and its inhabitants, citing an apartment named after the company.

He said the company is always there to support deprived people in different communities, and it is always a joy for them to visit and support the aged at King George’s Home.

“It is no hidden secret that Mercury International Company has a long-standing relationship with King George’s Home, and we are happy to be back. On behalf of the Managing Director, Mr Martin Edmond Michael, Management and Staff, we are pleased to donate these items, and we will continue with our philanthropic gestures to people who are in distress, especially the needy.”

Rev. Brendaforde Farmer, who is serving as the dedicated Welfare Manager and Welfare Officer for the King George’s Home, highlighted the Home’s long-lasting history with Mercury International and applauded Mercury International for always delivering and standing by their words. 

“Let me also thank the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Alhaji Komba, for his warm reception and for ensuring they deliver on their promises. We look forward to the other discussions we had,” Rev. Brendaforde Farmer said, and also prayed for continued growth for the Company.

A resident at the King George’s Home thanked the company for the timely consideration of the home and also revealed that most of the residents are customers of the company, and pleaded for Red Box to be around their community.

The donated items included 3 bags of rice, 3 gallons of cooking oil, 1 bag of onions, as well as tea leaf, Maggie, amongst others.

In May 2008, Mercury International Charitable Foundation donated the sum of Le30 million to the King George VI Memorial Home for the aged, and in 2016, the company also presented another cheque of Le20 million.

A lucky local businessman who currently resides in Bo Town becomes Mercury International’s history maker after predicting five winning numbers from the Mercury Lotto game.

Better known as Mr Kargbo, the middle-aged businessman staked only two leones (Le 2) and accurately predicted the Mercury Bomber Draw winning number, 2-4-67-90-78, last Thursday, 9th-4-26, and secured the total sum of One Hundred and Seventy Thousand new Leones (Le 170,000) after tax.

Presenting the cheque to Mr Kargbo at the Company’s head office, Krootown Road in Freetown, Managing Director, Mercury International, Martin Edmond Michael said, it was a historic moment for the company and the winner.

He said this is a very unusual achievement for an individual to predict the first five lotto numbers and win all.

The managing director added that it is very difficult for such a thing to happen, and that is why they are always encouraging people to play two or three numbers to win, but this time, Lucky Winner Kargbo has done a miracle by predicting the first five lottery numbers and winning all five.

Mr Michael further stated that after Mr Kargbo’s win, he insisted for the money to be presented to him in Freetown so he (the winner) can be able to explain to people how he played the magic.

He further advised the winner to judiciously invest in something viable.
Mr Martin also reminded the public of the ongoing Mercury Bet Online platform, where one lucky winner will win a brand new house.

“You cannot win if you don’t play, as the lottery is the game that keeps people going”.
Mr Michael further warned that people under the age of eighteen (18) are prohibited from playing any of the company’s games. “Play what you can afford,” he also advised adults.

On his part, the winner, Mr Kargbo, thanked Mercury International for such a financial boost, adding that this is a dream come true. He happily said that his birthday is two days away, and now he has won such a mouthwatering sum of money.

Winner Kargbo encouraged all to trust Mercury International, and players of Mercury International Sports Betting and Lottery Games should always exercise patience.