Mauritius gambling regulator denies horse racing failings
Mauritius’s gambling regulator has threatened legal action after a local newspaper published a report alleging serious failings in the oversight of the country’s horse racing sector.
On January 15, the Mauritius Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) issued a statement rejecting the findings of an L’Express article, which cited unnamed “horse racing experts” criticising the Horse Racing Integrity Division (HRID), created in 2025 to oversee racing regulation.
“The authority notes with grave concern that this purported report, written in English, is unsigned and does not say to whom the purported report has allegedly been made,” The GRA said.
“The authority is equally very concerned that L’Express has thought fit to publish this document without verification and more importantly without having asked the Authority for its views and comments.
“This is not the first time that L’Express newspaper has adopted such a cavalier attitude towards the Authority.”
The disputed report accused the HRID of “structural dysfunctions, erratic rule enforcement, inconsistent sanctions and disciplinary investigations often deemed incomplete or legally flawed,” and flagged potential conflicts of interest, saying several HRID officials had close ties to the Mauritius Turf Club.
“The authority does not subscribe to the contents of the publication referred to above and takes strong exception to the averments and innuendos contained therein and express reserves its right to take such legal as it may be advised against the owner, publisher and Editor in Chief L’Express,” the statement read.
L’Express defended its reporting as fact-based and in the public interest.
Horse racing takes place at the Champ de Mars racecourse in Port Louis, with 35-40 meetings held during the racing season, which runs from March to December each year. Most meetings are on Saturdays.
