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The National Revenue Authority (NRA) held a strategic meeting with representatives from leading betting companies on Friday, 24th January 2025, to reinforce compliance within Sierra Leone’s rapidly expanding betting industry.
The discussions focused on provisions outlined in the Finance Acts of 2024 and 2025, which govern taxation and the regulation of betting activities.
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.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. James B. Tengbeh, Acting Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Department, highlighted the government’s focus on fostering a fair and accountable betting environment. “Our goal is to collaborate with industry stakeholders to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Finance Acts,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of aligning business practices with regulatory standards.
Deputy Commissioner of Domestic Tax, Mr. Edwin Conteh, underscored the heightened scrutiny on the sector, warning that non-compliant companies would face penalties as stipulated in the Finance Act 2025. He called on betting companies to prioritize compliance to avoid legal repercussions.
Representatives from major betting firms, including Mercury International, Global Online Betting, Elephant Bet SL Ltd., Grand Casino, and Cheng Xing, actively participated in the discussions. They shared challenges encountered in meeting compliance requirements, creating an opportunity for the NRA to clarify legal provisions and provide guidance on best practices.
Ms. Martina B. Egbenda, Director of Legal and Corporate Services, reminded attendees of their obligation to adhere to legal provisions for data sharing, further reinforcing the need for transparency in the industry.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration between the NRA and the betting companies
