The dream of owning a house became a reality for Kenema resident, Abu Fomba after Mercury
International Sierra Leone Limited, the country’s leading sports betting and lottery company, officially handed over the keys to a fully completed residential house won through its “Win Your Dream House” promotion.
The official handover ceremony took place on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the TAF Salone Micro City Estate in John Obey, marking the conclusion of what Mercury described as the biggest raffle promotion ever organized by a sports betting company in Sierra Leone.
The nationwide promotion ran from April 1 to July 20, with the final raffle draw conducted on July 21 and 22, shortly after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup final.
Speaking during the ceremony, which was hosted by Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Komba, Managing Director, Martin Edmond Michael described the initiative as a landmark achievement for the company and a demonstration of Mercury International’s commitment to transforming the lives of its customers.
He disclosed that the newly constructed two-bedroom self-contained bungalow, located within the modern TAF Salone Micro City Estate, is valued at US$ 80,000, equivalent to approximately NLe2.4 million.
“This is the biggest raffle promotion in the history of sports betting in Sierra Leone,” Michael said, adding: “Over the years, we have rewarded customers with various prizes, but today we are presenting a house—a life-changing asset that will benefit the winner and his family for many years.”
Coincidentally celebrating his birthday on the same day as the presentation, Michael said the occasion represented more than just rewarding a lucky customer. “I am only an employee entrusted with the responsibility, together with my management team and staff, to develop ideas that will not only allow people to enjoy betting but also create opportunities that can transform their lives,” he said.
He revealed that the house promotion originated from a discussion with the company’s Online Manager, whose idea eventually became one of Mercury International’s most ambitious customer reward initiative.
The Managing Director paid tribute to Mercury International’s workforce, retail agents and loyal customers for making the promotion successful.
“I want to thank every member of staff for their hard work and dedication. I also want to recognize our
Retailers -you are our heroes; without your commitment and the continued support of our customers, this achievement would not have been possible,” he stated.
Michael further announced that Mercury International will roll out two additional raffle promotions before the end of 2026, assuring football bettors and Vegas online players that the company remains committed to introducing bigger and better reward schemes.
An emotional Abu Fomba, moments after receiving the keys to his new home, admitted he initially struggled to believe he had won the grand prize.
“When Mercury called to tell me that I had won the house, I thought it wasn’t real,” he said, and added, “Even while travelling from Kenema to Freetown yesterday, I still couldn’t believe it. It is only now, after receiving the keys, that I truly believe this house belongs to me.”
Fomba expressed gratitude to Mercury International for fulfilling its promise and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to have confidence in the company’s promotions. “I want people to believe in Mercury International because they are genuine. I never imagined I would own a house through a raffle, but today my dream has come true. I encourage everyone to participate because you can truly win,” he said.
The handover marks another milestone in Mercury International’s customer reward programme, reinforcing the company’s reputation for delivering on its promises while introducing innovative promotions aimed at rewarding loyal customers across Sierra Leone.
