Vice Prime Minister and Finance and Economic Minister Pravind says there may be a gap in the Gambling Regulatory Act regarding the organisation of one-off poker games. Mr Jugnauth was answering a question from Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) MP Kee Choeng Li Kwong Wing yesterday in the National Assembly.
Mr Li Kwong Wing wanted to know whether the organisers of the Mauritius Million Paradise Poker Tour, which was held between March 26 and April 3 at Le Paradis Hotel & Golf Club, Le Morne, obtained a gaming licence and work permit – and if a return of the cash games organised has been submitted to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).
The finance minister stated that the Million Poker Paradise Limited, which is a local company, was selected by the World Series of Poker (Las Vegas) and La Française des Jeux to organise a satellite international poker tournament. “This was a one-off tourism event and, therefore, no gaming licence was issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
This event did not fall under the ambit of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act as listed under Section 6(c) of the Act”, Mr Jugnauth told the House. Mr Jugnauth stated that he has asked the GRA to make proposals for regulating such events as there may be loopholes in the law.
He also told the House that with the growing competition in the tourism sector, there is a need to revisit incentives being provided, including fiscal incentives as well as the legislative framework to enhance the attractiveness of the Mauritius destination.
“Mauritius as a tourist destination needs to offer more to reach its targets in terms of consolidating its current markets and boosting arrivals from emerging markets like India, China and Russia”