Costa Rica takes a hands-off approach to gambling. Land-based casinos are legal but must be housed within hotels, following rules set by a 2008 decree. Sports betting remains banned, and lotteries are controlled by the state.
There’s no formal licensing system for online gambling. Operators can register locally as data processing businesses, provided they don’t target Costa Rican players. In practice, many do – and enforcement is limited. This setup has turned the country into a popular base for international gambling brands, without regulating its own market.
Online Gambling in Costa Rica
| Regulatory Authority | There is no dedicated gambling authority in Costa Rica. |
| Key legislation | There is no specific regulation for online gambling at the moment. |
| Allowed activities | Online operators can register as data processing businesses, provided they serve only international players. There’s no formal gambling licence or oversight, and targeting Costa Rican residents is not permitted. |
| Prohibited activities | Targeting Costa Rican players with gambling services (even from locally registered entities). |
| Taxation and fees | No available information at the moment |
| Licence validity / duration | No available information at the moment |
| SOFTSWISS products compliant | No products available at the moment |
Land-Based Gambling in Costa Rica
| Key legislation | Gambling Law (1922) |
| Allowed activities | Simple games such as billiards, dominoes, tute, and other non-wagered, skill-based activities. No element of chance or betting may be involved – directly or indirectly. |
| Prohibited activities | Among others:
|
| Taxation | No gambling-specific taxes; standard corporate and municipal taxes apply. |
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