MAURITIUS- Mauritius has enacted a major overhaul of its gambling regulatory framework, introducing new licences for online operators and technology suppliers, stronger electronic monitoring requirements and tighter controls across the betting and gaming sector.
The reforms are contained in the Finance Act 2026 (Act No. 14 of 2026), which received presidential assent on August 12, 2026. Section 6 of the Act amends the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act and expands the regulatory framework covering both online and land-based gambling.
Some of the changes will take effect in 2027. Licensing requirements for betting-platform suppliers will come into force on March 1, 2027, while several licensing application and renewal provisions will take effect from July 1, 2027.
The Authority will be required to notify applicants of the outcome of a complete application within 28 days. Once a renewal application is approved, the applicant will have 10 days from notification to pay the applicable licence fee or instalment.
Failure to submit a renewal application will result in a penalty equivalent to 25% of the licence fee or MUR100,000 (€2,000), whichever is lower.
Applicants for interactive gambling licences must be companies incorporated in Mauritius and must pay the applicable licence and processing fees. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) will also have the power to issue directives and guidelines governing interactive gambling operations.
A key element of the reform is the introduction of B2B and B2C interactive gambling licences. The B2B licence will cover companies supplying interactive gambling products, services or technology to licensed operators, while the B2C licence will apply to businesses offering interactive gambling services directly to consumers, including online casinos, sportsbooks and other betting platforms.
The legislation also introduces additional requirements for betting-platform suppliers, stating that any person providing a betting platform to licensed bookmakers will be required to obtain a licence from the GRA.
Digital games operated through gaming machines and digital gaming platforms must be certified by a gaming laboratory approved by the Authority. Existing rules covering casino and gaming-house games will also be extended to their digital equivalents.
The legislation also restructures the Gambling Regulatory Authority, creating dedicated divisions responsible for licensing and supervision, gambling inspection and enforcement, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, information technology and innovation, responsible gambling and communications, and internal affairs.
Technology used by operators to record betting transactions will face additional scrutiny. Betting and gaming software must be certified by a recognised gaming laboratory and registered with the Authority.
The reforms also introduce tighter restrictions for limited payout machine operators, who will be limited to 20 outlets and eight machines per outlet.
Responsible gambling is another focus of the new framework, with the legislation strengthening controls and introducing self-exclusion requirements for operators.
