SMS Pariaz Ordered to Cease International Betting Activities

SMS Pariaz has been instructed to halt all international betting activities, specifically concerning overseas horse racing and international football. This announcement was made by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on Monday, 17 March.

The GRA’s statement revealed that the decision was prompted by the discovery of “irregularities identified in the operational scope of SMS Pariaz Ltd.”

The company was found to be engaging in activities not permitted under its licence.

As per Section 100 of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, SMS Pariaz is now required to immediately suspend all fixed odds betting linked to (a) horse racing conducted abroad and (b) international football.

Jean-Michel Lee Shim, a key figure within SMS Pariaz, has recently been under scrutiny.

Despite his prominent role, the founder declared on our website on 5 January 2023 that he had distanced himself from the company’s day-to-day operations and was only serving as a consultant.

He expressed his dedication to charitable initiatives through his non-profit organisations, Solidarité Marye Pike (SMP) and Jean-Michel Lee Shim Cancer Care.

However, Lee Shim has not been without controversy. He has found himself at the centre of a political backlash, having been accused by the then-opposition — now in power — of using his philanthropic work to benefit the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM).

They alleged that he diverted hundreds of millions of rupees into the 2019 general elections — a claim he has categorically denied.

In a June 2022 interview on the programme Au Cœur de l’Info, he acknowledged spending 10 million rupees during the election campaign, asserting his belief in the Alliance Morisien and boldly stating that “Pravind Jugnauth has no political rival of his size.”

As SMS Pariaz faces this unexpected order, the future of its operations remains uncertain.

Source: Defi Media