Mauritius has enacted a major overhaul of its gambling regulatory framework, introducing new licenses 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, expanding the regulatory framework to cover 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 provisions relating to license applications and renewals will take effect from July 1, 2027.
Under the new framework, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) will be required to notify applicants of the outcome of a complete license application within 28 days. Once a renewal application is approved, the applicant will have 10 days from the date of notification to pay the applicable license fee or installment.
Failure to submit a renewal application will attract a penalty equivalent to 25% of the applicable license fee or MUR100,000 (€2,000), whichever is lower. Applicants for interactive gambling licenses must be companies incorporated in Mauritius and will be required to pay the applicable license and processing fees.
The GRA will also have the authority to issue directives and guidelines governing interactive gambling operations. A key element of the reforms is the introduction of separate B2B and B2C interactive gambling licenses.
The B2B license will apply to companies supplying interactive gambling products, services or technology to licensed operators. The B2C license will cover businesses providing interactive gambling services directly to consumers, including online casinos, sportsbooks and other betting platforms.
The legislation also introduces specific licensing requirements for betting-platform suppliers. Any person providing a betting platform to a licensed bookmaker will be required to obtain a license 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 governing casino and gaming-house games will also be extended to their digital equivalents.
The technology used by operators to record betting transactions will face additional scrutiny. Betting and gaming software must be certified by a recognized gaming laboratory and registered with the Authority. These measures are intended to strengthen oversight of gambling technology and ensure that operators systems meet regulatory requirements.
The reforms also restructure the Gambling Regulatory Authority, creating dedicated divisions responsible for key areas of regulation and oversight. These include 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.
The legislation introduces tighter restrictions on limited payout machine operators. Operators will be limited to a maximum of 20 outlets, with no more than eight machines permitted at each outlet. Responsible gambling is another major focus of the new framework. The legislation strengthens existing controls and introduces self-exclusion requirements for gambling operators.
Overall, the reforms represent a significant expansion of Mauritius gambling regulatory framework, with greater emphasis on online gambling, technology oversight, licensing controls, enforcement and responsible gambling.
