Mauritius Overhauls Gambling Laws: End of Hotel Casino Licences

Mauritius is undergoing a fundamental shift in its approach to gambling regulation, moving away from being a relaxed tropical gaming destination toward a highly monitored and transparent jurisdiction. The latest budget for the years 2026 and 2027 introduces some of the most rigorous structural changes since the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act was first consolidated back in 2007. The focus is clear: tightening fiscal surveillance and eliminating special privileges for the tourism sector that previously allowed hotels to operate under bespoke casino labels. The government is signaling that the era of loose oversight is coming to an end, replaced by a system where every transaction is visible to the state.

Central to this reform is the abolition of the entire hotel casino licence category. For years, hotels could apply for a specific licence to host gaming activities for their guests, but Section 44 of the new budget annex effectively deletes these definitions. Terms like hotel casino gaming machine and hotel casino operator will no longer exist in the legal framework. Any hotel wishing to continue offering gambling will need to secure a standard casino licence, which involves much stricter compliance and operational requirements. This move aims to professionalize the sector and ensure that gambling is treated as a high-risk activity rather than a simple vacation amenity.

Numbers and facts

The technological centerpiece of these reforms is the Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS), managed by the Mauritius Revenue Authority. All casino and Gaming House servers must now connect directly to this system. This level of integration allows the government to track revenue in real-time, leaving no room for tax evasion. Furthermore, the 2026 and 2027 budget measures expand the digital gaming regime introduced in 2025 to include limited payout machine operators. To improve betting options, the government is also increasing the number of allowed betting terminals for bookmakers from three to five. At least one of these five terminals must be dedicated solely to paying out winnings to customers.

Taxation methods for horse racing are also seeing a major adjustment. Instead of taxing gross stakes, the state will now calculate the tax based on stakes net of winnings paid out. This change is partly influenced by the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism Bill passed in April 2026. Financial Services Minister Jyoti Jeetun made it clear during the legislative process that transparency regarding beneficial ownership is now a non-negotiable requirement for anyone applying for a gambling licence.

„The government has undertaken to restore public confidence in the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), particularly in regard to its oversight of the horse racing industry, and would ensure the GRA operates as a trustworthy regulator of the gaming and betting industry.“ - Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Mauritius

Background

The push for these reforms follows a period of public skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the Gambling Regulatory Authority. Allegations of poor regulation within the horse racing sector had surfaced early in 2026, prompting the government to take decisive action. By institutionalizing the CEMS and creating new divisions within the GRA for Responsible Gambling, Communications, and Finance, the state is building a more robust bureaucratic infrastructure. The digital games regime is also becoming more formal, with a statutory definition of digital games being inserted into the Act for the first time. Every online platform must be certified by an independent gaming laboratory, ensuring that the software remains fair and secure for all participants.

Why it matters for German players

For German holidaymakers who enjoy a casual bet while staying at a resort in Mauritius, these changes mean that the local gambling landscape will start to look much more like the regulated market back home. Germany’s own Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) is among the strictest in the world, featuring tools like the LUGAS central database to prevent problem gambling and ensure tax compliance. While Mauritius is focusing on tax revenue, the German system places heavy emphasis on player protection, including a 1 Euro per spin limit on slots and a 1,000 Euro monthly deposit cap. German players traveling abroad should note that the convenience of hotel-based gaming is disappearing in favor of more regulated, stand-alone casino environments. Just like in Germany, the trend is moving toward total digital transparency.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators holding a license from the German GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) will recognize the pattern emerging in Mauritius. The demand for direct server access by tax authorities is becoming a global standard. For GGL-licensed casinos, this reinforces the legitimacy of the German model, which already utilizes centralized monitoring systems. The global tightening of regulations makes it increasingly difficult for offshore operators based in Malta or Curacao to compete without meeting these high technical standards. Mauritius is essentially adopting a localized version of the European trend toward national licensing and strict digital oversight. This global shift validates the GGL’s approach and suggests that the future of the industry belongs to those who embrace full technical cooperation with state regulators.