Mauritius horse racing adopts Digital Rupee for faster, safer bets
Under the 2025 Gambling Regulatory Authority Amendment, horse racing wagers and payouts can now be processed digitally, making betting faster, safer and cashless.
Mauritius.- Mauritius is taking a bold step into the digital age by integrating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) into its regulated horse racing sector. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Finance Act 2025 now recognise the Digital Rupee, issued by the Bank of Mauritius, under the updated definition of “cash”, allowing horse racing wagers and payouts to be processed digitally for a more efficient and modern betting environment.
The Finance Act 2025, published in the Government Gazette of Mauritius on August 8, 2025, confirms the legal recognition and states: “The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act is amended to include digital currency issued by the Bank of Mauritius under section 35(1) of the Bank of Mauritius Act.”
The amendment specifically applies to horse racing, aligning the definition of ‘digital currency’ with that in the Bank of Mauritius Act to ensure legal consistency across gambling regulations. By embedding the CBDC into horse racing rules, Mauritius signals its readiness to merge financial innovation with strong oversight.
The Bank of Mauritius also participates as an observer in Project mBridge, a global multi-CBDC initiative led by the BIS Innovation Hub and China’s central bank, exploring cross-border applications of digital currencies.
A Maurice Info report states that “the object of this Bill is to amend the Gambling Regulatory Act with a view to revamping horse racing activities”. The reforms introduce a Horse Racing Integrity Division and an Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Financing of Terrorism Division, strengthening compliance with global standards.
Digital payments and industry readiness
The reform aligns with Mauritius’s rapid shift toward a cashless economy. The Bank of Mauritius reports that mobile payments have surged from Rs1.8bn (€34m) in 2020 to Rs25.7bn (€485m) in 2025, while internet banking transactions doubled to Rs647bn (€12.2bn). The country’s MauCAS and QR-code systems have made digital payments seamless, setting the stage for CBDC adoption in regulated horse racing transactions.
These upgrades are expected to benefit operators and players alike, enabling faster deposits and withdrawals, safer transactions and potential cross-border betting opportunities, which may encourage other gambling sectors to explore digital solutions in the future.
The Bank of Mauritius began piloting the Digital Rupee in January 2024, testing retail and institutional use. Governor Dr. Rama Sithanen said: “Launching a digital rupee requires thorough evaluation. A CBDC could influence how quickly money circulates and the demand for cash, which may affect inflation control,” underscoring that its integration into horse racing wagers and payouts is part of a well-managed process.
Authorities have described the amendment as a significant shift in the regulatory landscape, potentially serving as a model for digital integration in other gambling sectors.
