The gambling sphere in Mauritius is relatively small and strictly regulated. Local authorities and the public are focusing more on land-based gaming, horse racing, and lotteries, which are seamlessly integrated into the region’s tourism infrastructure.
Casino Market’s experts discuss the changes expected in the island state’s industry in 2026. Our team provides comprehensive consultations and practical assistance on launching projects in various jurisdictions.
Digital and Ground Sectors: Forecasts
While the physical segment is very well developed, the online vertical is only strengthening its position. The growth of both niches is largely supported by tourism and the popularity of horse racing.
The digital field is receiving additional impetus from the increasing use of technology among the 1.3 million population. Most people have access to mobile devices and the Internet. Against this backdrop, the future of online entertainment looks promising.
By 2031, the web segment will encompass the following areas:
- slot portals;
- lotteries;
- sportsbooks.
The land-based vertical includes:
- 4 licensed casino resorts;
- wagering at the Champ de Mars racecourse;
- raffles operated by the national brand Lottotech (monopoly);
- over 20 private gambling houses with slots and a limited number of tables.
Financial Indicators and Tax Regulation
The government does not provide public access to revenue information on the gaming sphere. Nevertheless, approximate figures can be estimated based on activity on paid and free services.
The tax burden is important: for instance, each bookmaker offering horse racing bets pays 14% of the gross handle and a 2% levy. In the casino segment, the fiscal rate was about 15% of takings (all wagers - net winnings) in 2018–2021. It is worth noting that the industry is affected by seasonal fluctuations associated with tourist flows.
The increasing number of mobile device users and the implementation of digital reforms triggered a new wave of growth. As a result, the market of related gaming equipment was estimated at approximately $1.85 million by the end of 2025.
Player Demographics and Content Preferences
Exact data on the local audience is unavailable in public sources, but experts note a rise in lottery popularity and casino attendance. This evaluation suggests that around 20–30% of gambling establishment customers are urban residents who participate in sessions regularly.
Demographically, the majority of players are males aged 18–35. Women make up no more than 20% of the market and prefer social and mobile apps to visiting racetracks or physical clubs.
In the online realm, products with dynamic mechanics are most in demand. Amid smartphone penetration of over 70%, local audiences value speed and thrills, but frequency of visits is tempered by cultural and social norms. At the same time, the government does not impose strict limits on bets or session time.
Most citizens prefer “safer” games with low to medium volatility. Lotteries remain one of the most common formats, and the majority of the national operator’s revenues are donated to state and public funds.
Regarding offline casinos, people choose the following entertainment:
- slot cabinets;
- roulette wheels;
- blackjack, poker, and baccarat tables.
Horse racing is a separate vertical. Local bookmakers have created a community around the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC). This segment has become not only the most popular in betting but also an important part of local culture.
Legislative Demands and Industry Oversight
The gaming sphere in Mauritius is supervised by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) under the 2007 Act. The latter defines the permitted operating formats and requirements for brands.
Some of these norms include:
- serving players of no less than 18 years old;
- displaying a national hotline for questions about real-money content;
- providing self-exclusion mechanisms for customers of online and land-based projects.
The law was revised in 2024. The amendments updated the technical standards for ground establishments, enhanced customer protection measures, and strengthened oversight of outcome fairness.
The GRA operates within the state’s Ministry of Finance as an autonomous government body. Its responsibilities include issuing gambling licences to niche brands and monitoring their compliance with regulatory requirements.
The authority also follows the Financial Intelligence and AML Act, adopted in 2002. The document establishes anti-money-laundering and CFT procedures, which are systematically updated and supplemented.
Licensing System: Principles of Operation
To obtain a work permit, an entrepreneur must select a suitable certification format and submit an application using a particular template.
This task includes several stages:
- verification of legal compliance;
- confirmation of financial stability;
- inspection of all company facilities.
Final documents are issued for 1 year only. Thus, they must be renewed annually.
The following categories of permit holders are represented in the country:
- land-based casinos and integrated resorts;
- horse racing and totalisators (MTC partners);
- lottery operators and retailers (sublicensing under Lottotech’s exclusivity);
- bookmakers and private gaming clubs (compliance based on gross takings);
- 1-time events (applications submitted 15+ days before the planned occasion);
- personal management at gambling facilities within the country.
Fiscal Requirements and Rates: Different Formats
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) is responsible for collecting and monitoring mandatory taxes. Earnings from niche activities are utilised to fund community programs and social services.
Operators are required to submit all payments electronically via the Value Added Network (VAN). Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a fine of Rs 2,000 per month (up to Rs 20,000 in total), approximately $43. Interest is also set to be charged in such cases.
Winnings of over Rs 100,000 (around $2,150) are subject to a 10% fee. Operators are obliged to maintain records of all payments exceeding Rs 20,000.
The total tax burden depends on the business direction:
- table games — 15% on GGR and 2% for responsible gambling programs;
- slot terminals — 35% and 2%;
- private clubs — 30% and 2%;
- horse racing bets — 14% on gross stakes and a 2% levy.
New Regulatory Initiatives and Digital Reform
On August 8th 2025, amendments were made to the state’s Finance Act. The pool of changes included implementing a special payment instrument for horse race wagering settlements, the Digital Rupee.
Additionally, the government created a separate unit to monitor the niche’s integrity. Another innovation is the establishment of a new division responsible for combating money laundering and terrorist funding.
The objectives of these initiatives are:
- updating outdated betting models;
- reducing the circulation of unregulated cash;
- aligning the market with international fintech standards.
Key Players of the Local Gambling Industry
The Mauritian sphere has developed a stable coexistence of 2 sectors. On one side are offline casinos, lotteries, and betting entities under state control. On the other edge are offshore companies that operate in the remote segment. Nevertheless, there are no brands in the country that are exclusively online and focused on the domestic market.
As of 2025, 63 licences have been issued on the island, the majority of which are for raffles and horse racing.
The national operator Lottotech offers several projects:
- Loto;
- Loto Vert;
- Football Pools.
These solutions are available through a network of 770 retail outlets across the state.
The MTC controls the equitation wagering vertical. It is the sole official organiser of events at the Champ de Mars racecourse. The season runs annually from March to December and is regulated by a separate law.
The island also has 4 casinos:
- Le Morne;
- Grand Baie;
- Beau Rivage;
- Trou Aux Biches.
Alongside these are 22 private clubs. Meanwhile, the Turf organisation is developing a network of offshore websites offering wagering, slots, tables, live-dealer formats, and eSports for citizens. These portals have been serving users under the Curaçao gambling licence through BetWinner.eu since 2018.
The approximate market breakdown is as follows:
- 70–80% — national operators (Lottotech and MTC);
- 15–20% — casinos and gaming houses focused on tourism;
- 5–10% — internet-based segment, represented by offshore brands.
The industry is gradually consolidating, with smaller studios leaving, giving way to larger players. One notable event in 2025 was the agreement between the Turf Club and Racing and Sports to modernise Champ de Mars’ technological infrastructure.
Lottotech, in turn, is focusing on partnering with retailers, primarily family-owned businesses. Foreign investors have a fragmented presence in the market and show no systemic influence on its development.
Digital Payments and Local Fintech Trends
In 2025, experts recorded a significant increase in interest in non-cash betting methods. In December 2023, the number of user transfers via MCB Juice, an extremely popular mobile wallet, exceeded 7 million, a 20% YoY jump.
In addition to digital solutions, traditional payment channels such as credit and debit cards and direct bank operations remain in demand. The launch of the Digital Rupee deserves special attention. At the state level, it has been equated with traditional settlement tools and is governed by the Finance Act of 2025.
The introduction of the innovative currency is expected to improve transfer transparency and security in the internet segment. These changes coincide with positive forecasts for the growth of peripheral and gambling equipment penetration, which are approximately 30% per year until 2031.
The Main Things About Mauritius’ Gaming Sphere
Let us explore the main features of the island’s market:
- Well-established balance. The local industry combines strict rules with strong traditions, particularly in horse racing. This model allows for the preservation of regulatory control while simultaneously supporting its economic role in the state’s tourism ecosystem.
- Innovation and customs. The 2025 reforms do not change the foundations of the legal framework but rather strengthen the existing supervisory mechanisms and boost transparency. At the same time, the sphere remains quite conservative and focused on physical gaming, which is closely linked to serving travellers.
- Awakening of the digital niche. Offshore entertainment companies primarily represent this segment. The promising vertical is expected to grow at a moderate, stable rate until 2031, thereby providing additional revenue for the budget.
Casino Market can help you launch a turnkey online gambling business in top destinations. To learn more about our offers and to order supplementary services (software development, content integration, advertising, etc.), feel free to contact us.
Have questions or want to order services?
Contact our consultants:
- e-mail: manager@casino-market.com
- feedback form.
Check the information used to contact us carefully. It is necessary for your safety.
Fraudsters can use contacts that look like ours to scam customers. Therefore, we ask you to enter only the addresses that are indicated on our official website.
Be careful! Our team is not responsible for the activities of persons using similar contact details.
