Mauritius sets mid-2027 target for casino sale
Six proposals are under evaluation as the government seeks to end state involvement in a sector that has recorded years of losses, with around 600 employees affected.
Key takeaways:
- Mauritius aims to sell the State Investment Corporation’s holdings in casino companies before mid-2027.
- Six proposals have been received, comprising five international investors and one Mauritian operator.
- Casinos of Mauritius recorded losses of Rs150m (US$3.1m) during the first half of 2026.
- Cumulative losses reached Rs1.9bn (US$39.6m) between 2015 and 2025.
- Around 600 employees could be affected, with unions seeking job guarantees and protection of employee benefits.
Mauritius.- Mauritius is targeting the sale of the State Investment Corporation’s (SIC) holdings in casino companies before mid-2027, with six proposals currently under evaluation. The planned withdrawal follows years of financial losses at Casinos of Mauritius and comes as the government considers how to manage the transition for around 600 employees.
A source at the Prime Minister’s Office said: “We should be able to proceed with the sale before mid-2027,” according to Le Défi Media, which reported the comments on November 3. The selection of a buyer is expected soon as the evaluation of the six proposals continues.
The proposed sale comes as Casinos of Mauritius continues to face financial difficulties. The company recorded losses of Rs150m (US$3.1m) during the first six months of 2026, following cumulative losses of Rs1.9bn (US$39.6m) between 2015 and 2025.
The SIC, the government’s investment arm and major shareholder in four operational casino companies, has continued to provide financial support. It injected Rs95m (US$2m) during the first half of 2026 to finance operations. This funding was financed entirely through borrowing, adding to public sector debt.
Casinos of Mauritius could require another Rs140m (US$2.9m) from the SIC by December 2026 if no corrective measures are taken. Its outstanding arrears stood at approximately Rs268m (US$5.6m) as of June 30, 2026.
Between 2015 and 2025, the SIC injected Rs1.3bn (US$27.1m) into Casinos of Mauritius to maintain operations. The corporation also took out loans totalling Rs771m (US$16.1m) to finance these interventions.
Prime minister Navin Ramgoolam has defended the government’s decision to withdraw from casino operations, arguing that public resources should instead be directed towards essential services, including education, healthcare and public safety. He also maintained that running casinos was not an appropriate role for the government.
The government has also defended the confidentiality of the bidding process. Responding to questions about the publication of PwC’s evaluation findings, Ramgoolam said disclosing the assessment at this stage could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the proceedings and prejudice the fair evaluation of the proposals.
The SIC appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as its transaction adviser in February 2026, ahead of the international tender closing on August 17 with six proposals from five international investors and one Mauritian operator. The bidding process has also raised questions about employee protection, with the Casino Employees Union calling for job guarantees as the sale progresses.
The union has proposed voluntary early retirement for employees aged over 50, guarantees that existing staff retain their jobs following a takeover and redeployment opportunities within companies managed by or linked to the SIC. Around 600 employees could be affected by the transaction.
According to Le Défi Media, the SIC held an initial meeting with representatives of the two unions on May 22, 2026. Further consultations are expected, with the corporation indicating that the transition will comply with applicable legislation, particularly regarding employees’ remuneration, pension entitlements and social benefits.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- When does Mauritius plan to sell its state casino holdings? Mauritius is targeting completion of the sale of the State Investment Corporation’s casino holdings before mid-2027. A source at the Prime Minister’s Office said the sale should proceed before that point, according to Le Défi Media.
- How many bids has Mauritius received for its casinos? Six proposals are under evaluation: five from international investors and one from a Mauritian operator. PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed transaction adviser in February 2026 to assess the bids.
- Why is Mauritius selling its state casinos? The government says public resources should be directed to essential services such as education, healthcare and public safety. Prime minister Navin Ramgoolam has also argued that running casinos is not an appropriate role for the state.
- How could the casino sale affect employees? Around 600 employees could be affected by the transaction. The Casino Employees Union has proposed voluntary early retirement for employees over 50, job-retention guarantees after a takeover and redeployment opportunities within SIC-managed or linked companies.
