Mauritius: Government is determined to combat the mafia in the gambling industry, says the Prime Minister

Government is determined to combat the mafia in the gambling industry that has brought so much suffering to punters and the public at large. We are committed to do away with all the evils that have destroyed the good name of horse racing in Mauritius and to bring back absolute sports integrity into the industry.

The above statement was made by the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, yesterday in the National Assembly, following the submission of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Horse Racing in Mauritius to the President of the Republic.

The Commission of Inquiry on “Horse Racing in Mauritius” was set up in the wake of allegations of corruption in horse racing in Mauritius. The inquiry team met with all the stakeholders in the organisation, management and administration of horse racing. No less than 23 recommendations have been made to combat the scourge of illegal betting, corruption in horse racing and the proliferation of betting in Mauritius.

Government, stressed the Prime Minister, has taken a strong commitment towards the Nation to address illegal activities and the serious and widespread concerns of corruption linked to horse racing in Mauritius. The Commission has been damning in its criticisms towards those Institutions/ Authorities/Regulators which have been put in place to regulate and monitor this sector, he added.

I am personally fully committed in the battle to eradicate the gambling mafia, stated the Prime Minister, adding that no stone will be left unturned to achieve those objectives.  In implementing the measure regarding the non issue of new licenses, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will put into place a mechanism to autocorrect embedded injustices in the system with a view to establishing a level playing field wherever needed, he added.

The Commission has particularly noted the so far inefficient performance of the Gambling Regulatory Authority. It requires a strong leadership and proper resourcing and I have already taken action to that end by bringing the Gambling Regulatory Authority under the aegis of my Office and try appointing the right person at the level of the Board, announced Sir Anerood Jugnauth.

With regards to the Police des Jeux, the Commission noted that the unit is under-resourced and lacks expertise in betting and financial matters and recommends that there is an urgent need to step up the resources of the Police des Jeux with the appropriate knowhow and skills in addressing the issues of betting and sports-related crime, stated the Prime Minister.

The Commission also recommends that a Memorandum of Understanding be drawn up between the Gambling Regulatory Authority, the Mauritius Revenue Authority , the Police and others involved with the regulation and governance of horse racing in Mauritius to improve inter-agency working against tax evasion, money laundering and other corrupt activities connected with horse racing and betting.

As to the Mauritius Turf Club, the Commission noted, with significant concern, the serious problems in its management and found that it is a “fractured organization” where there is maladministration bordering on “institutional corruption”. The Commission has concluded that the Mauritius Turf Club requires fundamental change in its organisation, management and administration. It recommends that a ‘separation of powers’, including a system of checks and balances, within racing is necessary. It should divest itself of its regulatory and governance roles, so that it can concentrate on the organisation and management of race planning and the operation of race-days but withdraws from its current responsibilities of regulating and governance.

The Commission stresses on the abolition of the role of ‘Stable Manager’ which it qualifies as an “anachronism” and hits hard on instances of conflicts of interest within horse racing which it says is the root cause of many of the evils in the gambling industry.