Online Betting in Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, close to Madagascar and the Seychelles. It served as a colony for many years under the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the British. Eventually, it gained its independence from the UK in 1968. Later on, in 1992, it formed a republic, which stands until today. Gambling has always played a pivotal role in the local culture. Football as well as horse racing are very popular among locals.

Betting in Mauritius originally became legal as early as 1973 and has been steadily evolving ever since. Quite a few casinos and betting shops can be found, mainly in the capital of Port Louis. The official regulation of the gambling sector came in 2007 when the respective authority (GRA) was put in place. For players looking to bet online, Mauritius offers many bookies. Most major international bookmakers offer their services here.

Best Betting Sites in Mauritius

With a growing number of bookies accepting Mauritian bettors; we list the ones that offer the most competitive odds, along with a wide variety of betting markets on the most popular sports.

Betting in Mauritius - 5 things to know

• 1
  The legal gambling age is 18
• 2
  No international bookies have received a local license
• 3
  There are over 10 casinos to be visited for both tourists and locals
• 4
  Online gambling has been officially legal since 2007
• 5
  The local authority grants its own gambling licenses to interested operators

General info

⏩Population: 1.250.000

⏩Active players: 190.000

⏩Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Casino games, lotteries, sports betting

⏩Operator types: State-run lottery, casinos, licensed local bookies, unlicensed online bookies & casinos

⏩Designated authority: Gambling Regulatory Authority

⏩Status: Regulated

Online Betting in Mauritius: The Law Framework

While gambling has been legal here since 1973, it was only in 2007 that a proper authority was established. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) operates under the Prime Minister; it regulates and controls every relevant activity, keeping it under a fair and transparent framework.

All forms of gambling are legal under the 2007 Act; that includes lotteries, land-based casinos, horse racing, betting shops and online betting in Mauritius. The GRA also issues its own online gambling licenses. However, they don't abide by high standards and are quite easy to acquire.

Bowmans Sportsbook received the first ever in 1996, and only a few local operators own one nowadays, like Stevenhills and Supertote. Bookmakers with a local license must pay 1,200,000 rupees as a security deposit to the state. Moreover, those offering betting on football matches taking place outside Mauritius also pay a 12% tax on their GGR per week.

So, typically, online betting is only allowed at the few locally licensed operators. Still, there are no reports of prosecuting online gamblers. The government simply tries to restrict access to international gambling sites from time to time.

In terms of betting, Mauritius is a very welcoming place for both players and operators. Players access any bookmaker they want and operators alike don’t feel any legal pressure about obtaining a local license.

Essential Information for Bettors

A crucial thing is that winnings above Rs.100,000 fall under an on-the-source taxation of 10%. That, of course, only applies when betting with a local bookmaker in Mauritius. That’s an interesting fact to keep in mind and a strong motive for bettors to opt for international bookies. Their winnings can’t and won’t fall under taxation in that case.

Apart from that, remember that all forms of gambling are legal. Authorities are lax towards players who opt for international betting sites in Mauritius. However, the use of VPN software is still advisable. It’s one thing to be relaxed, and it’s a different thing to keep a low profile. Securing your winnings in the long run is, after all, always a wise choice.

Lastly, there are also plenty of bookmaker Mauritius shops around the capital. Still, the quality and quantity of bets is miles away from what’s on offer online. Every bookie you shall find in our analysis offers numerous competitions and special bets to choose from. Plus, daily promos and bonuses.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Despite the fact that only betting with locally licensed bookmakers is legitimate, everyone opts for international bookies. Bank wire or credit cards are not forbidden or blocked by any means. Banks don’t tend to ask questions concerning your incoming deposits.

Yet, the fact that there’s no strict surveillance around Mauritius betting, should not allow you to lower your guard. Therefore, using an e-wallet is always a good idea. Neteller and Skrill are available. They offer fast transactions while allowing you to keep a low profile, too.

Interestingly enough, cryptocurrencies are constantly gaining ground among locals. The country is actually the only African country among the top 50 ‘Most Crypto-Ready’ Nations, according to the latest reports. So, if you are familiar with crypto, more and more bookmakers are widening their horizons by accepting them, too.

Gambling Regulations in Neighbouring Countries

Besides Mauritius, there are several islands and small nations close by. Whether you visit them as a tourist or move there permanently, it is best to know the gambling laws before getting there. To help you avoid doing any research yourself, we have created dedicated guides for some of them. Feel free to browse below: 

⏩ Top Betting Sites in Seychelles

⏩ Best Madagascar Bookmakers

⏩ Online Betting in Lesotho

⏩ Top Maldives Betting Sites

The Future of Gambling in Mauritius

 As we have seen, an overall welcoming environment surrounds gambling in Mauritius. Players get to enjoy all types of gambling; either land-based or online. No restrictions or sanctions are apparent on either players or international operators.

Nonetheless, authorities should probably allow international bookmakers to operate in the country legally; without having to acquire a local license first. No talks have been made towards this direction, neither are such indications visible. Time will only show if things will eventually change or not.