Reply: I am informed by the State Investment Corporation (SIC) that the Casinos of Mauritius have incurred cumulative losses of around Rs1.5 billion over the period 2015 to 2024. The yearly losses have been increasing significantly over the years as follows – • For year ended December 2015 – 59 million rupees. • For year ended December 2016 – 75 million rupees. • For year ended December 2017 – 133 million rupees. • For year ended December 2018 – 95 million rupees. • For year ended December 2019 – 117 million rupees. • For year ended December 2020 – 173 million rupees. • For year ended December 2021 – 267 million rupees. • For year ended December 2022 – 211 million rupees. • For 18 months ended 30 June 2024 – 327 million rupees. The figures speak for themselves. The casinos, under SIC’s management, have been making heavy losses year after year. It is rare to see an enterprise in the gaming sector facing such a disastrous financial situation. Yet, despite these successive losses over several years, the previous government allowed the situation to persist without intervention. The operation and management of casinos should not remain within the public sector. This situation is unsustainable and has deteriorated over the last 10 years. I am informed that the SIC is working on a plan to address the current state of affairs of the present casinos, including –

148 (i) reorganisation of the casinos; (ii) developing an early retirement plan for existing employees, and (iii) relaunching tenders for a possible disposal of the casinos on a fast-track basis. AMAURY – BUS SERVICE – COMMUTERS’ COMPLAINTS & REMEDIAL MEASURES