Located 2000km away from the east coast of Africa, Mauritius is a vibrant island nation in the Indian Ocean. Although it has a very small population, this tropical paradise is considered to be one of the most developed economies in the entire African region.
When it comes to online casinos and gambling, Mauritius is a special case. It is one of the few nations in Africa that has legalized and regulated both offline and online gambling. Mauritians can freely play at the country’s many land-based casinos.
And if you want to step online for a round of slots or video poker, that too is possible! Many offshore online casinos accept players from Mauritius. But despite having a licensing system and gambling regulator, there are no legal online casinos in Mauritius.
This then begs the question – is online gambling safe if you are a Mauritian player? If not, which are the safest online casinos for Mauritians? Are there any casinos that accept Mauritian Rupee for payments? These are the questions we will answer, along with many more in this guide.
Welcome to the PlayCasino.co.za guide for the best Mauritius online casinos. This guide is aimed at both experienced pros as well as beginners to the online gambling scene. Scroll down to the next section if all you need are some links to top Mauritius online casinos and bonus codes! Read on for more insights into the wonderful world of online casinos!
How We Rate and Choose Trusted Mauritius Casinos
Online gambling is a well-developed industry. There are tons of reputed casinos and operators out there. But this is a very crowded scene – there is some risk of ending up at a scam site if you are not careful.
But thankfully, the casino industry has certain standards and features that set apart the legit sites from illegal and fake online casinos. At Playcasino.co.za, we extensively test all websites featured here to ensure they are 100% safe and trustworthy.
Here are the standards we use to measure and rate online casinos in 2021. Using these telltale signs, you too can distinguish between legit online casinos and the scammers.
Licensed & Regulated by A Gaming Authority
Legitimate online casinos always apply for a license from prominent gambling authorities. These are usually located in jurisdictions which are important centres for the online gambling industry. The UK, Malta, Sweden, Alderney, Isle of Man, and Gibraltar are all regions that have online gambling regulators.
Getting approval from a top-level regulator requires considerable investment and effort. Only legitimate gambling sites are willing to go to all this trouble. This is why licensed casinos are considered so reliable. They are required to maintain high standards to keep those licenses intact.
Interestingly, Mauritius has its local gambling regulator – the Gambling Regulatory Authority or GRA. It has a licensing system for operators who want to provide online gambling to Mauritian residents.
But the problem with Mauritius is that it is too far away from the gambling centres in Europe, and it has a very small population. Casino operators don’t find the license worth the investment! This is why you have to rely on offshore licenses like the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Curacao Antillephone licenses to find the best Mauritius online casinos.
Player Safety & Security
Licensed online casinos are required to maintain strict standards in online security. Casinos deal in a lot of cash and store personal and financial information of clients. They make tempting targets for hackers and cybercriminals. The best casinos use the same level of online protection as online banks – 128 bit SSL encryption is the standard security feature you need to look for.
Player safety also means protection from the harmful effects of gambling addiction. This is usually achieved by giving you easy access to responsible gambling measures. These are tools that you can use to curb your gambling activity whenever you fee things going out of control. They include self-exclusion, limits on deposits, and reality checks.
Legit online casinos care about the welfare of their customers – they don’t want to lead you to financial ruin! Such sites offer extensive and transparent responsible gambling measures and other forms of assistance.
Variety of Games and Quality of Game Software
Online Gambling Is All About Having Fun – and For That, You Need the Best Games. the Top Mauritius Online Casinos Let You Play Thousands of Online Video Slots, Video Poker, Blackjack and Roulette Games, Progressive Jackpots and More.
These games come from software vendors or providers. There are dozens of these licensed vendors in the casino market in 2021. Some are great, while many occupy the middle ground in terms of quality, and then some vendors offer low-quality fare – just like in any other industry!
The best casinos give you a lot of choice in terms of the game software. The number of vendors can vary from one to a handful, or even as high as 40+. A great casino will have games from elite vendors like Netent, Microgaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and Betsoft.
Be sure to play at casinos that offer games from reputed vendors. Those games are tested at independent labs to ensure that they offer truly random outcomes on all bets. Those games cannot be rigged by the casino operators.
Scam sites will often provide fake, non-branded games, or pirated titles with compromised RNG. Every dollar you bet at such games will be lost.
Check out our recommended Mauritius online casinos to understand what original vendors and games look like.
Frequency and Quality of Bonuses & Promotions
The online gambling business is ultra-competitive. Casinos are desperate to attract the attention of players. And since they use similar games from the same vendors, they need other methods to attract players. This is why you find huge bonus offers at virtually all online casinos in 2021.
As a new player joining a Mauritius online casino, you will be treated to no deposit bonuses and welcome packages. Regular players can choose from a wider range of options, like reloads, match deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback, and exciting VIP rewards.
A good casino should offer a balanced mix of new player bonuses and regular player rewards. We look for casino bonuses that give you maximum bang for your buck. These are offers that potentially double or triple your betting amount, or those that give you a lot of free spins on slots.
But all bonuses do have some fine print in the form of restrictions. These terms and conditions can make a huge difference in your gaming experience. To improve your chances of winning cash (and keeping it), look for bonuses that have these main features in their T&C:
- A low wagering requirement below 30 whenever possible
- No cashout limit, or high cashout limit
- Allowed on more than one slot/game
- Validity period longer than 24 or 48 hours
Popular and Safe Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
Ideally, you want a casino that accepts payments in your home currency – here that would be the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Unfortunately, since the Mauritian gambling market is quite small, not many casinos accept MUR payments.
The top online casinos cater to players from many countries, so they accept major currencies like US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds. Thanks to modern online payment methods, when you deposit from Mauritius in MURs, they will be converted to a currency supported by the casino. The only downside is that you will have to pay a small percentage as conversion charges.
Licensed online casinos accepting Mauritian players use established payment methods like VISA credit cards and internet banking. But the most popular payment methods tend to be e-wallets like Paypal, Skrill, and Neteller. They don’t allow the gambling to show on your credit card bills or bank statements.
The top Mauritius online casinos we recommend will give you multiple secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. You can expect these to include VISA and Mastercard cards, prepaid cards like Paysafecard and Neosurf (deposit only), e-wallets, online banking, and in a few instances, bitcoins/other cryptocurrencies as well.
Mobile Casino Gaming Experience
Mobile and internet usage in Mauritius is incredibly high by African standards. Nearly 70% of the population are active on social media and use multiple mobile connections. There is massive scope for mobile online casinos and gambling in this highly developed country.
Fortunately, the online gambling industry is heavily invested in mobile gaming. All modern casinos offer 100% support for mobiles, be they iPhones, Android, or other smaller operating systems. Except for the top gambling brands who provide apps, all others use browser-based casino gaming.
So when we look at the mobile casino experience, our top priority is ease of use. Is the website optimized for smartphone screens? Do the pages load fast? Have the icons and text been resized and realigned for improved response on touch controls? These are all features that contribute to a fun mobile casino gaming experience.
Reliable & Responsive Customer Support
Another indication of a reliable online casino is the quality of its customer support system. The best sites have detailed pages for FAQ, terms and conditions, and game guides to answer the common doubts new players may have.
And for complaints and advanced troubleshooting, they offer at least two channels of communication – email and Live Chat on the website. The top casinos may also have international toll free numbers, but these are not very common.
Simply providing these options is not enough. The casino should also have a trained team that is ready to respond at a moment’s notice. We rate casinos based on whether they have 24×7 support, guaranteed response within 24 hours on mail, and their efficiency in solving customer issues.
Best Casino Bonuses for Mauritius Players
Playing at one of our recommended Mauritius online casinos, you can expect many exciting bonus offers. We will start with the top options for new players at a casino:
No Deposit bonuses
These are awarded to players who have newly registered at the casino – it is a very special one-time offer. No deposit offers get their name from the fact that the casino does not ask for a cash deposit from the player. With all other bonus offers, you will need to deposit money to claim them.
These offers are 100% free and they give you a chance to win extra money when you bet on the games and slots. In effect, that is like free money! This is why no deposit bonuses are one of the most popular offers for players at online casinos.
The most common type of no deposit bonus is the free spins offer. You will get anywhere from 5 – 25 free cash spins on a slot game chosen by the casino. The other type gives you a small token amount of cash – often $5 or $10. The main difference is that unlike free spins, the cash can be wagered on blackjack, roulette, and other table games.
Welcome Bonuses
All casinos do not offer no-deposit bonuses to new players, but they all have welcome packages for new players. A typical online casino welcome bonus will have a match deposit bonus, sometimes with extra free spins in tow.
A match deposit bonus is a promise by the casino to add some bonus money to your account when you make a deposit. The amount of money you get is based on the promised percentage. Welcome offers have high percentages in the range of 100% – 200% or more. So if you add $100, the casino will match it with bonus cash of $100 – $200 depending on the size of the bonus offer.
All welcome packages require a minimum deposit, which is usually a small figure, like $20. You are always free to add more – the casino will give you more bonus cash as a reward. Some casinos offer bigger promotional packages that apply to several deposits, instead of your first one.
With top welcome bonus offers, players can boost their accounts with $1000 bonus cash or more!
Regular Match Bonuses
As the name suggests, these are the deposit bonuses available after you complete the welcome bonus and become a regular player at the casino. The welcome package is a one-time offer. You can claim regular bonuses on a daily or weekly basis at the casino.
They also tend to be smaller than the welcome offers. Percentages often range between 25% and 200%, though it is not unusual for a casino to offer more cash to players who deposit huge sums. These match bonuses are also often called “reloads.”
Free Spins (with Cash Deposit)
Free spins are very popular among slots players. And since nearly 90% of online casino players go for slots, there is a strong demand for these types of bonuses. Standalone free spin bonuses are less common than matching deposit offers – but they are still available.
You can get up to 100 free spins or more with a deposit free spin offer. All free spin offers have a limit of the bet value of each spin. $5 is the most common limit enforced by casinos. And you can only use these spins on slots picked by the casino.
Cashback
Other bonuses boost your ability to place bets and are given as soon as you make a deposit. A cashback offer is given as a form of consolation. You get these when you lose money at the casino. Casinos offer these to all registered players either on a weekly or monthly basis.
It works like this – you deposit $100 on a weekday, and lose all of it on bets without winning anything. If the casino has a 10% weekly cashback offer, you will get $10 in your account on the next Monday. There are higher percentages for VIP accounts.
Vip Bonuses
VIP clubs are open to players who regularly deposit cash and place bets at a casino. They usually have a tiered system. You start at the lowest level, which only has a few small bonuses. But you can improve your level/rank by betting money – you get VIP points with each bet.
Collect these points to upgrade to the next VIP level and unlock more bonus offers and gifts. High-level VIPs get many special offers from top Mauritius online casinos, including bonus cash, free spins, higher withdrawal limits, customised bonuses, birthday gifts, special VIP tournaments, and more.
Online Casino Games Available for Free and For Real Money
Slots
A typical online casino will stock hundreds of video slots. They often account for as much as 90% of all the games at a casino. The biggest online casinos routinely offer 3000+ online slots. Players love video slots because they are simple to learn and play. You don’t need practice or advanced knowledge of rules.
Unlike table games, which use boring cards, slots vary a lot in visual design and themes. You can find Egyptian slots, Viking slots, Greek Gods slots, and many other themes like Pirates, Jungle, Animals, Cartoons, Hollywood movies, and more.
Modern video slots come with 5+ reels and many exciting bonus features. Scatters, wilds, free spins, and jackpots all add to the thrill of playing these slots. Some of the latest and greatest slots you can play at Mauritius online casinos in 2021 include:
- Western Gold Megaways
- Book of Dead
- Rage of the Seas
- Big Buffalo
- Star Bounty
- Wild Safari
Table Games
If you are an experienced casino player, in all likelihood you may have a penchant for classic card games like blackjack, poker, baccarat, and roulette and dice games. At online casinos, these games come under the category of “table games.” While they require advanced knowledge of the rules, these games have a huge advantage. Their win chance is much higher than video slots. Popular table games you can play at Mauritius online casinos include:
- American Roulette
- European Blackjack
- Pai Gow Poker
- American Blackjack
- Dragon Tiger
Live Casino Games
At online casinos, the table games lack realism – you are playing against the software, using virtual cards and dice. It cannot be compared to a land-based casino experience. This is where live casino games are superior. They are telecast live from the studios of providers like Netent, Ezugi, and Evolution, using online streaming.
The games are hosted by real dealers, like the skilled ones you encounter in an actual offline casino. And they use real cards, roulette tables and other equipment. You place bets after watching the action unfold on the screen in real-time – and in between bets, you can even chat with the dealers.
Online casinos offer these live dealer games:
- VIP Blackjack
- VIP Roulette
- French Roulette
- American Blackjack
- Dreamcatcher
Video Poker
Mix slot machines and poker rules and you get video poker. This game was designed to attract poker players to slot machines. It does not require too many skills as everything is based on the luck of the draw. Video poker is a great option if you want to learn more about the different winning hands in poker. There are many variants available at online casinos, including:
- Aces and Faces Poker
- Joker Poker
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
Bingo, Lotto, Scratchcards
Online casinos also have a lobby where they offer a wide range of betting games that do not fall into any particular category. These lobbies are usually called “Other Games,” and they offer a mix of bingo, scratch cards, lotto, and other arcade betting games. They serve as an occasional diversion from slots or table games when you need a change from the routine. Some of the games you find often in this category include:
- Rainforest Magic Bingo
- Keno
- Candy Prize
- Hot Safari
- Foxin Wins Scratch
Play Your Favourite Casino Games on Mobile & Tablet!
Mauritius was the first African country to offer mobile networks (1989) and 3G (2004). It is quite advanced in the field of internet connectivity and mobile networks in 2021. 4G-LTE services are available from major networks like Mauritius Telecom, MTNL, and Emtel.
With excellent connectivity, you can play your favourite casino games in Mauritius on your mobile or tablet with ease. You don’t have to worry about hardware requirements or software compatibility. Modern casinos use HTML5 websites – they run on iOS, Android, and other outdated OS like Blackberry and Windows Mobile.
Device compatibility is excellent since HTML5 games and slots work even on low-end hardware. A simple rule of thumb is – if you have a phone or tablet launched in the last 5 years, you can run an online casino on it in 2021. Take a look at some of the compatible devices for the two major software platforms:
IOS
All iPhones and iPads can run casino websites just fine. Use the Safari browser for the best results. No downloads from the App Store is required. Older devices like iPhone 6, 7, SE, and 8 can all run games quite well. The same is true for all the older generation iPads as well – iPad Minis from 2015 and Pros from the 9.7 or older are sufficient for casino gaming.
Android
Samsung, Huawei, Nokia, and Xiaomi are some of the top brands among Android phones in Mauritius. Popular models include Galaxy series, Huawei Y-series, Redmi, and Nokia 5 and 6 series. They are more than capable of running a top Mauritius online casino.
Beyond Online Casinos: Sports Betting in Mauritius
Sports betting is legal and widely available in Mauritius. You can find licensed betting shops all over the islands in major towns and cities. Mauritians like to bet on football and other sports like cricket – European leagues and Asian tournaments are the most popular betting markets.
The country also has a horse race track – the Champ de Mars in Port Louis. Racing season is most active in winter and huge crowds gather to watch the action and bet on the horses. You have the option to place tote bets at the track, or through the phone.
As early as the 1990s, the country also licensed online sportsbooks. But as of 2021, there are no licensed online sportsbooks in Mauritius. However, offshore unlicensed websites accept bets from Mauritian punters.
Mauritius law has regulations related to online sportsbooks – a license from the GRA is required to operate legally in Mauritius. But offshore sportsbooks based in Europe and other parts of the world ignore this rule and accept bets from Mauritian citizens.
While this is technically illegal, the law does not prosecute players. So it is generally safe to place online sports bets in Mauritius. The authorities only focus on local bookies. If you want to learn more about online sportsbooks in Mauritius, check out this guide:
Why Play and Bet Online in Mauritius?
These are some of the reasons why you should consider online betting in Mauritius In 2021:
- Accessibility: Land-based casinos may not be open 24×7 and have many rules related to the entry. The cost may also be quite high. Online casinos accept players day and night. You can also bet with a few dollars, or free if you claim a no deposit bonus!
- Choice of games: Online casinos with their 1000+ games hold a clear advantage over land casinos. And game companies are constantly releasing new slots each month, so this gap keeps widening.
- Health safety: Land-casinos with their crowds are no longer safe in the era of COVID-19. You can play online casinos on PC or mobile, from the comfort of your home!
- Bonuses and jackpots: You have to spend a lot at a land casino to get bonuses and perks. Online casinos are more generous when it comes to doling out bonuses and perks. Plus, they have big progressive jackpots where you can win millions of dollars!
Most Popular and Reliable Casino Payment Methods in Mauritius
These are the most popular payment methods for online casinos in Mauritius:
- VISA/Mastercard
- Paysafecard Prepaid Cards
- Neteller e-Wallet
- Skrill e-Wallet
- Paypal Mauritius
- Webmoney Mauritius
- Bitcoin
- Online Wire Transfer
Gambling Legality in Mauritius: What Is the Legal Status for Gambling in Mauritius?
Like many African nations, Mauritius has a quite liberal attitude towards gambling. The earliest laws on gambling in Mauritius date back to 1973 – it was known as the Gaming Act. But it was only recently that the laws were updated and properly codified. This was done through the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, 2007.
That law created the Mauritius Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which is the apex body that regulates all aspects of the nation’s gambling industry. It regulates both the offline and online gambling activities in Mauritius.
Land-Based Gambling
From the 1970s, all forms of offline gambling were legal in Mauritius. This includes land-based casinos, sports betting, horse racing, and lotteries. As a tourist destination, Mauritius has several casinos linked to popular resorts in the country.
Sports betting is carried out at licensed betting shops operated by licensed local brands like Stevenhills and Supertote. You can also place bets via phone and SMS. The national lottery of Mauritius is operated by LottoTech. It is a weekly game with jackpots worth millions of MUR.
Online Gambling
The status of online gambling in Mauritius is a little complicated. The country has laws that allow companies to provide online betting services. So it is a regulated industry. But due to its remote location and low population, no major betting companies have applied for a license.
In practice, only illegal offshore websites are available to Mauritian players. But the good thing is that there are no penalties for players who gamble online. And the authorities do not target customers. They do order ISPs to block illegal sites in some instances.
Realistically, the authorities can only penalize local businesses that try to provide online betting without a license. They cannot go after offshore betting platforms, so Mauritius players can play safely.
Mauritius Gambling Laws
The following are the main laws related to gambling and betting in Mauritius:
- Gaming Act, 1973
- Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, 2007.
Land-Based Casinos in Mauritius
Land-based casinos are fully legal and regulated by the laws of Mauritius. The country has both independent casinos and gambling centres attached to resorts. As of 2021, the number of such casinos in Mauritius stands at 10, with four of them located in the capital of Port Louis. You can play slot machines and live table games (blackjack, roulette, stud poker and more) at these casinos.
Some of the top land casinos/resorts in Mauritius are:
- Le Grand Casino De Domaine Les Pailles,
- Le Caudan Waterfront Casino in Port Louis
- Senator Club Casino Port Louis
- Meridien Paradis Hotel & Casino
- Le Saint Geran Hotel & Casino
New to Gambling?
Online gambling is well-regulated form of entertainment. But beginners can find it a bit tough to have fun. There are some rules to keep an eye on, as well as industry jargon and technical terms. It is okay to feel a bit confused – we can help you with our beginners guide to online gambling at Playcasino.co.za. Also, check our helpful hints to gambling in Africa. After reading this guide, you will know the following things:
- How to pick safe and reliable casinos?
- All about casino bonus types
- Important bonus terms and rules
- Best payment methods for Mauritius casinos
- Casino game terms like RTP, volatility etc
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Slots are very popular among Mauritian players at online casinos, especially beginners. For more experienced players, the games of choice are live dealer versions of blackjack and roulette, for an authentic casino experience.
Yes, but you have to exercise some caution when picking an online casino in Mauritius. There are no locally licensed online casinos – and offshore casinos are not bound by Mauritian laws. Always pick a reputed casino with a top offshore license like the UKGC or MGA, to have safe and secure gaming experience.
Credit cards from VISA/MasterCard and e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and Paypal are the most popular casino banking methods. E-wallets are preferable for their speed, safety, and increased privacy.
Mauritius has laws that allow online casinos to operate with a license, but as of 2021, no Mauritius-based online casino with a license exists. All available options are offshore casinos – they are illegal. But since there are no penalties levied on players, many Mauritians safely bet online.
Yes, there 10 land-based casinos licensed by GRA in Mauritius. Four of these casinos are located in the capital Port Louis. The Senator Club is a company that operates 5 casinos on Mauritius. Some of the Mauritian casinos are located inside resorts.
Sports betting is 100% legal in Mauritius. There are several local sportsbooks with dozens of betting shops across the islands. There are no licensed online betting platforms as of 2021. But just like the online casino scene, you can place bets at illegal offshore books with no risk of penalties.