Polymarket is accessible in Mauritius — the platform does not geoblock Mauritian IP addresses. Mauritius is one of Africa’s most crypto-forward jurisdictions, actively positioning itself as a digital-asset hub through its Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the private-sector “Jurisdiction for Virtual Assets” (juVa) initiative. Here’s what Mauritian users need to know about using Polymarket.
Current Status: Accessible
Mauritius is not on Polymarket’s geoblocked countries list. The platform is fully accessible from Mauritian IP addresses. Users can sign up, deposit, and trade on all available markets.
Mauritius has made deliberate strides to become a friendly environment for digital assets, with the FSC establishing a formal regime for virtual asset service providers. While day-to-day crypto adoption remains modest relative to larger markets, the regulatory climate is notably supportive.
The legal landscape for prediction markets in Mauritius sits in a grey area. Online betting and gaming are regulated activities, but decentralized, crypto-based prediction platforms like Polymarket are not specifically addressed by the existing gambling framework. There is no indication of enforcement against Mauritian Polymarket users.
The Legal Landscape
The VAITOS Act (2022)
Mauritius’s primary digital-asset legislation is the Virtual Asset and Initial Token Offering Services (VAITOS) Act, which came into force on 7 February 2022. It empowers the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to regulate and supervise virtual asset service providers and initial token offerings:
- Virtual asset service providers must obtain a license from the FSC
- The regime covers virtual asset exchange, transfer, and custody activities
- It aligns with the FATF’s treatment of virtual asset service providers
This framework primarily regulates licensed service providers operating in Mauritius. It does not restrict individual Mauritian users from accessing overseas platforms like Polymarket.
The “juVa” Initiative
Beyond formal regulation, Mauritius launched the “Jurisdiction for Virtual Assets” (juVa) initiative — a private-sector-driven effort aimed at positioning Mauritius as a hub for virtual asset businesses. It signals the country’s intent to welcome rather than restrict digital-asset activity, which contrasts with the more cautious stance of many neighboring jurisdictions.
Gambling Laws
Mauritius regulates gambling through the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), established under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 9 of 2007. Online betting and gaming are regulated activities — operators must hold a licence from the GRA:
- The GRA is also the AML/CFT regulator for the licensed gambling sector
- A 2025 Gambling Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill sought to modernize the framework, including changes around digital currency
- This framework targets licensed gambling and gaming operators
Prediction markets specifically are not addressed in the gambling framework. Decentralized, crypto-based platforms like Polymarket fall outside the scope of GRA licensing, sitting in an unregulated gap rather than being explicitly prohibited.
How to Deposit from Mauritius
Mauritius has no dominant local exchange, so most users on-ramp through the major global exchanges, which accept Mauritian users and card payments.
Step 1: Buy USDC on a Local Exchange
| Exchange | Card Payments | Bank Transfer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | Yes | Yes | Global leader; strong USDC liquidity and card on-ramp |
| Coinbase | Yes | Yes | US-regulated, beginner-friendly; supports debit/credit card |
| OKX | Yes | Yes | Low fees; strong USDC pairs |
| Crypto.com | Yes | Yes | Card and bank options; popular for stablecoins |
Deposit Methods Explained
Debit/Credit Card: The quickest way to buy USDC in Mauritius is to pay with a debit or credit card on a major exchange. This is the most commonly available fiat on-ramp for Mauritian users and typically processes within minutes.
Bank Transfer / P2P: You can also fund an exchange via bank transfer, or use peer-to-peer (P2P) trading on platforms like Binance to buy USDC from local sellers using the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Settlement times vary but this can offer lower fees.
Step 2: Transfer USDC to Polymarket
- Go to Deposit on Polymarket
- Select Use Crypto and copy your deposit address
- Send USDC from your exchange to the Polymarket address
- Choose Polygon for the lowest fees ($3 minimum, arrives in seconds)
For the full walkthrough, see our How to Deposit on Polymarket guide.
Tax Implications
Mauritius has a favorable tax framework for both businesses and individuals, including for digital assets.
No Capital Gains Tax
Mauritius does not levy capital gains tax. Crypto gains that are capital in nature are not taxed on disposal for individuals. This makes Mauritius one of the more attractive environments for crypto investors.
Corporate Tax
Mauritius applies a corporate income tax rate of 15% (which can be reduced to 3% for certain structures, including qualifying global business activities). This mainly matters for businesses; individual investors are generally shielded by the absence of capital gains tax.
Keep in Mind
- If crypto trading is frequent and systematic, the Mauritius Revenue Authority could treat profits as business or investment income rather than capital gains, potentially subjecting them to income tax
- There is no VAT or specific crypto surcharge on crypto-to-crypto transactions for individuals
- Keep accurate records of deposits, trades, and withdrawals in case you need to support any position with the Mauritius Revenue Authority
Getting Started
If you’re in Mauritius and want to start trading on Polymarket:
- Sign up for Polymarket — under 2 minutes, no KYC required
- Buy USDC on Binance, Coinbase, or another exchange via debit/credit card
- Deposit on Polymarket — transfer USDC via Polygon
- Place your first trade — start with a small amount
- Use limit orders to avoid taker fees — only taker orders pay fees on Polymarket
Related Guides
- How to Sign Up for Polymarket — Create your account
- How to Deposit on Polymarket — Full deposit guide
- How to Trade on Polymarket — Market orders, limit orders, and tips
- Polymarket Fees Explained — Fee breakdown by category