Mauritius has proposed a series of amendments to the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act in the Annex to the Budget Speech 2026-2027. The proposed measures cover digital games, licensing, monitoring systems, responsible gambling, governance and enforcement.
The proposed reforms, which are intended to be introduced through the Finance Bill 2026 and the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, would modernise several aspects of the existing regulatory framework. They include the introduction of a legal definition for digital games, mandatory certification of gaming platforms, expanded monitoring of gambling operations, new responsible gambling functions and stronger enforcement measures.
Among the measures, the government has also proposed removing the hotel casino licence category, restructuring the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), increasing compliance obligations for licensees and strengthening fiscal oversight through enhanced monitoring of betting and casino operations.
Digital gaming framework set for expansion
The Budget Annex proposes introducing a definition of “digital games” into the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act and allowing existing casino operators, Gaming House operators and limited payout machine operators to be licensed to offer them.
Under the proposed amendments, operators would be required to submit a certified copy of their rules of digital games to the Gambling Regulatory Board for approval, while digital games and platforms would have to be certified by an accredited, independent and approved gaming laboratory.
Alongside the expansion of digital gaming, the government has proposed revising several existing definitions under the Act, including those relating to betting software, interactive gambling, player cards and Rules of Racing to provide greater legal clarity.
Enhanced monitoring of gambling operations
The proposed amendments would require the servers and terminals of betting operators to be connected to the Gambling Regulatory Authority’s server. They would also require the servers of casino and Gaming House licensees to be connected to the Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS) operated by the Mauritius Revenue Authority. Licensees would be required to ensure that the equipment remains continuously connected.
The proposed amendments would also require suppliers of betting platforms to licensed bookmakers to obtain a licence from the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
Responsible gambling and regulatory restructuring
The proposed amendments would create a Responsible Gambling and Communications Division and a Finance and Procurement Division within the Gambling Regulatory Authority, while restructuring some of its existing divisions. They would also allow the Gambling Regulatory Board to delegate certain powers and functions to the Chief Executive and the Head of the Legal and Governance Division.
In another governance measure, the Board would be empowered to appoint an external firm to act as its secretary.
Licensing and compliance requirements tightened
The Budget Annex proposes a series of amendments affecting licensing procedures and operational compliance across different gambling activities.
The dedicated hotel casino licensing regime would be removed, with the definitions of “hotel casino”, “hotel casino games”, “hotel casino gaming machine” and “hotel casino operator” deleted from the legislation. The provisions governing their licensing and operation would also be repealed.
The amendments would also require foreign employees and technicians working for licensed amusement machine operators, as well as croupiers and dealers employed by gambling operators, to register with the Gambling Regulatory Authority. Fit and proper assessments would become mandatory for grooms, bookmaker clerks and gaming technicians before registration applications are submitted.
The government has further proposed introducing statutory timelines for processing new licence applications and renewals, while moving licence fees to a calendar-year basis running from 1 January to 31 December. New non-refundable processing fees would also apply to licence applications and relocation requests for approved betting premises.
Stronger enforcement and operational changes
The Budget Annex proposes increasing the maximum financial penalty for non-compliance with gambling rules and guidelines issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority from MUR 200,000 (around US$4,238) to MUR 400,000 ($8,476).
It also proposes that a licensee who fails to keep books and records would be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding MUR 100,000 ($2,119) and imprisonment for a term of up to two years. The maximum fine for breaching the confidentiality provisions of the Act would also rise from MUR 5,000 (around $106) to MUR 100,000 ($2,119).
Other operational amendments include increasing the number of betting terminals permitted within approved bookmaker premises from three to five, revising the calculation of betting tax on horse racing, establishing a new Horse Racing Fund and introducing additional reporting obligations for horse racing organisers and totalisator operators.
If enacted, the proposed amendments would amend the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act by introducing provisions relating to digital games, licensing, monitoring systems, regulatory governance and enforcement.
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