Mauritius budget proposes Gambling Regulatory Authority Act changes
The proposed reforms include a Horse Racing Fund, a revised betting tax model, expanded GRA oversight and fixed-odds betting on foreign horse races.
Mauritius.- The Mauritius government has proposed a series of measures to continue the restructuring of the country’s horse racing sector as part of amendments to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) Act in the 2026/27 Budget.
The proposed amendments, included in the budget annexes, provide for the creation of a Horse Racing Fund to finance laboratory testing of blood, urine and other samples, the local recording of horse race images, and insurance cover for local apprentice jockeys.
The proposed amendments are included in the budget annexes and include the creation of a Horse Racing Fund to finance laboratory testing of samples collected as part of anti-doping controls, as well as insurance costs for Mauritian jockeys, according to L’Express.
The Horse Racing Fund will be financed through a fee charged to horse racing organisers for the right to disseminate race images abroad, as well as contributions from licensees.
The reforms will also empower the GRA’s board to promote the training of local apprentice jockeys. In addition, horse racing organisers will be required to submit quarterly reports detailing their activities to the GRA. Another amendment will allow only the holder of a broadcasting licence to cover a live horse race, whether free of charge or against payment of a broadcasting fee.
The Budget also proposes revising the tax base on which betting tax on horse racing is imposed. Under the proposed amendment, betting tax will be calculated on the total amount staked less winnings payable, rather than on the gross stakes of punters.
The proposed measures form part of the government’s ongoing restructuring of Mauritius’ horse racing sector through amendments to the GRA Act.
