Mauritius is shaking up its gambling market by eliminating hotel casino licenses, broadening the digital gaming regime, and integrating state tax monitoring more tightly with casino operations. Under the 2026/27 budget, the island plans to completely abolish specific hotel casino licenses. Additionally, each casino and gaming house server will be required to link to the Mauritius Revenue Authority’s Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS). Still, this overhaul is arguably the most major since the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act’s consolidation back in 2007.
In This News
Retiring Hotel Casino Licenses
On June 19, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam introduced the new budget, which quietly tucked in numerous amendments to the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act. While gambling wasn’t mentioned in his speech, the budget’s annex made clear that “hotel casino,” “hotel casino games,” and related terms will be removed from the Act. This change effectively ends bespoke hotel casinos, necessitating regular casino licenses for any operations within hotels that are allowed under the new framework. The dedicated hotel casino system will be dismantled. It had previously allowed hotels to conduct casino activities under special licenses. Now, hotel-based casino operations will require standard licensing where permitted under revised laws.
Expanding Digital Gaming
Mauritius has been licensing digital gaming since 2025. This regime is set to expand further. But limited payout machine operators are now eligible for digital gaming licenses, alongside existing casino and gaming house operators. A statutory definition for “digital games” will be added to the Act for the first time. Moreover, platforms must obtain certification from an accredited independent gaming laboratory before they can launch. But the extension of the digital games regime reflects a broader effort by Mauritius to modernize and regulate its diverse gaming market effectively.
Enhanced Fiscal Monitoring
A pivotal change in the new budget is the expansion of the CEMS. Casinos and Gaming Houses are now mandated to connect their servers directly to this system, operated by the Mauritius Revenue Authority. The move aims to enhance fiscal oversight over gambling revenues, a key step considering past scrutiny over revenue reporting. The reforms aren’t just about revenue collection. New divisions within the GRA, like the Responsible Gambling and Communications Division, are also being established. Betting premises will see an increase in betting terminals allowed, from three to five, with stricter conditions around payouts.
Regulatory and Compliance Context
This isn’t Mauritius’ first move to bolster the Gambling Regulatory Authority’s (GRA) capabilities. Back in 2025, Prime Minister Ramgoolam emphasized regaining public trust in the GRA, especially in horse racing oversight. Mauritius has been under pressure to demonstrate that it can regulate its gambling sector effectively, as noted in local reports questioning the new Horse Racing Integrity Division. The recent Anti-Money Laundering, Combatting the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering Proliferation Financing Bill provides a backdrop to these reforms. Financial Services Minister Jyoti Jeetun recently highlighted amendments aimed at increasing transparency from gambling operators and enhancing investigative powers.
What’s Next?
As part of the legislative process, the complete set of reforms will be discussed once the Finance Bill is introduced in the National Assembly. An economic committee chaired by the Prime Minister will fine-tune the legislation, with its first meeting already held on July 8. The full parliamentary debate on the 2026/27 gambling reforms will commence thereafter, marking a new chapter in Mauritius’ approach to gambling regulation.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.
