Top-rated Online gambling sites in Sierra Leone

Online gambling has become a big business all around the world. Because of this fact, these gaming platforms have also received a lot of attention over the years, and Sierra Leone is no different. With these sites, players in the country can now enjoy gaming at home or on the go with their computers and mobile devices.

And while online casinos are not as popular in Sierra Leone as they might be in other countries, such as the USA, Canada, UK, and New Zealand, internet gaming is gaining popularity among the online casino enthusiasts of the country.

History of gambling in Sierra Leone

History of gambling in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has a history in gambling dating as far back as the 9th century. The country was once inhabited by two prominent tribes, Mende and Temne, whose chiefs were believed to have led their subjects in games of chance to win valuable prizes or even wives.

Gambling in ancient Sierra Leone is said to have been so popular among the tribes because it involved more than luck; it required strategy and skill on the part of players. But colonial governments didn't allow this type of practice, and it passed strict laws against gambling soon after they took over Sierra Leone. For instance, the British passed a law prohibiting all kinds of gaming except for horse racing. The Sierra Leone Lotteries Ordinance was also passed, which created a Sierra Leone Lottery and imposed taxes on all Sierra Leone citizens who bought tickets.

Sierra Leone's first legal casino, called the Sierra Leone Casino, opened in downtown Freetown on April 24, 1959. This was later shut down by the government a few years down the line. At the moment (as of 2021), the gambling laws in Sierra Leone prohibit all forms of gambling except for horse racing and lotteries.

Gambling nowadays in Sierra Leone

Since Sierra Leone's return to democracy after its decade-long civil war ended in 2002, there often appears to be an ongoing feud between the government and the gaming industry in the county. Online casinos began to operate in Sierra Leone in 2001, but Sierra Leone's government banned all online casinos in 2002. Sierra Leone's then president, Ernest Bai Koroma, believed that his government couldn't handle the consequences of an online casino industry at a time the nation was fighting so many other problems in Sierra Leone.

Yes, Sierra Leone's economy has been struggling since its civil war ended, and many citizens here have been struggling to make ends meet. As such, many of them are turning to online casino gaming, which offers them an opportunity to make money. The demand prompted the government of Sierra Leone to permit casino operation, as long us such a casino has its servers located in the country.

The online casinos in Sierra Leone offer real money prizes, and gamblers here have taken notice of this fact. In a study conducted by BBC News, Sierra Leone's Sierra Stars Casino manager, Abu Bakarr Kargbo, noted that Sierra Leone gamblers tend to prefer online casinos because they are much more convenient and accessible.

History of gambling in Sierra Leone
The future of online casino in Sierra Leone

The future of online casino in Sierra Leone

Now that the civil war in Sierra Leone is long over, the country is trying to rebuild its economy. The Sierra Leonean government has been looking into authorized online casinos as one of Sierra Leone's options for growth and possible investment by foreign investors.

Although Sierra Leone continues to face many problems, it seems to be determined to move forward. Sierra Leoneans are very interested in online casinos, especially the younger generation. And with many online casinos being Sierra Leonean-owned, the nation may very well be on the path towards legalizing online casinos.

Better still is the fact that many Sierra Leoneans own smartphones, which makes online casinos even more popular. Thanks to mobile applications, the citizens can easily play online casino games and win real money prizes at the comfort of their own homes or on the go.

The future of online casino in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone players' favorite games

Sierra Leone players' favorite games

Online casino games are Sierra Leone's favorite pastimes. In this country, players from all walks of life have taken advantage of the online casinos because it is so much more convenient and easier to gamble online as opposed to driving all the way to land-based casinos, which may be located hundreds of miles away. Besides, land based casinos here are only few.

That said, gamblers here enjoy playing various casino games, but there are some that stand out. The majority of Sierra Leonians prefer playing roulette, blackjack, slots, and baccarat online. Meanwhile, card game lovers tend to play Caribbean stud poker or any other variations of poker that can be found at Sierra Leone's online casinos.

There is no doubt that many Sierra Leonians playing various versions of poker, such as Steve O'Dwyer and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, have become successful poker players. These figures have influenced other players in the country, making it easy for them to love poker.

Sierra Leone players' favorite games