A Memorandum of Understanding setting out the framework for effective exchange of Information and tax administration between the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) was signed yesterday in Port Louis.
The MoU will further reinforce the existing practice of cooperation between the MRA and the GRA by providing a proper platform for such exchange of information.
Another salient feature of the MoU is that it will help in tracking down illegal activities and combating tax frauds and other malpractices in the gambling industry.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal, pointed out that the MoU will ensure better working relationship between the MRA and the GRA thus allowing them to perform their functions effectively in the pursuit of common goals.
He recalled that so far the MRA has signed 13 such MoUs with different organisations adding that these agreements are helping the MRA to consolidate its initiatives towards achieving efficient tax administration and revenue optimisation while at the same improving public’s perception around tax administration and increasing the level of transparency of operations.
For his part the Chairman of the GRA, Mr Hiren Jankee, said that both authorities should ensure that the MoU is being implemented effectively. He expressed his confidence that the joint efforts of the two authorities will yield better results.
The GRA established in 2007, is the regulatory authority and licensing institution for the Gambling industry in Mauritius while the MRA set up in 2006 is responsible for the administration and collection of various taxes under the revenue laws. The Government collects annually around Rs 2 billion in the form of revenues in terms of licensing fees and gaming and betting tax.
It will be noted that following the amendment of the GRA Act in 2012, some officers of the MRA have been authorised to perform the duties of inspectors for a better coordination in the gambling sector. Furthermore, a Central Electronic Monitoring System which deals with all issues of gambling and betting has been set up at the MRA.
For the year 2010 betting taxes collected amounted to around Rs 1.4 billion and Rs 1.5 billion in 2011 while in 2012 Rs 1.3 billion has been collected and a fall has been registered owing to a reduction in gaming tax on casino and gaming house from 50% to 15% and gaming machines from 50% to 35% in the previous budget.
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