Costa Rica license

Gambling and betting are subject to different laws and policies worldwide. However, what remains constant across many jurisdictions is a central regulator overseeing all gambling activities. However, acquiring a Costa Rica license is different from what you may be used to.

Instead of a traditional gaming license issued by a gambling regulator, operators apply for a business incorporation. This comes with a municipal data processing permit that allows companies to operate online gambling platforms in Costa Rica while serving international players.

The Costa Rican framework attracts both long-standing international brands and fast-growing niche operators that value operational flexibility and global reach. With that said, take some time to discover the best casinos with this license below.

Top online casinos with a Costa Rica license

What is the Costa Rica license?

Costa Rica takes a different approach to regulating the gambling industry. Unlike many jurisdictions, where there’s a central body mandated to set the rules of engagement, Costa Rica has none. So, that means no one issues gaming licenses, audits platforms, or even enforces player protection standards. 

Instead, standard corporate law takes over. Here’s how everything works. 

Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública)

This ministry issues licenses and also supervises land-based casinos based in hotels. Additionally, it maintains and updates a registry of all licensed venues and approves gaming table and slot machine operations. 

Look at this as the main regulator, and it works with all 84 municipalities regarding permits. It also handles inspections, changes, and equipment termination. 

However, one of its most important roles is to enforce AML compliance, ensuring operators follow transaction reporting standards.

Junta de Protección Social

Sports betting and lotteries are a preserve of the Junta de Protección Social in Costa Rica, but it only serves Costa Rican players as specified in Article 1, Law No. 3/1922.

Also within its mandate are ticket sales, supplier registration, prize distribution, and the management of concession processes. Additionally, this agency collects revenue channeled into social welfare and publishes draws.

Financial Intelligence Unit/Instituto Costarricense sobre Drogas (ICD)

The Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) falls under the Costa Rican Drug Institute (ICD), which is the agency tasked with drug and financial crime. As such, its main task is to enforce AML obligations through rigorous customer checks. Also required from gambling operators is at least 5 years of data retention and reporting suspicious activity.

Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio (MEIC)

Fair play is a core aspect of gambling, and this is where the MEIC comes into the picture. Within it is the Consumer Protection Directorate, which oversees operators’ marketing tactics. The Directorate ensures transparency in gambling advertisements, given that operators often engage in deceptive practices. 

Players can also channel complaints ranging from bonuses, promotions, or deceptive offers through this Directorate.

What makes this license stand out

Costa Rica’s unique approach to gambling regulation makes it stand out in the market, and we’ll explore this, along with how it affects both players and operators.

Level of player protection and anti-fraud measures

Costa Rica does not mandate safeguards such as player fund segregation, government-approved RNG testing, or regulator-managed dispute resolution. However, reputable operators voluntarily implement many of these measures to remain competitive in the international market. If you’ve been in the gambling industry for long enough, you know independent testing labs, secure payment gateways, and transparent terms and conditions have become industry norms even in lightly regulated jurisdictions.

Compliance rules for operators

The absence of a central regulator is a potential market gap that operators may seek to exploit. However, Costa Rica takes a different approach to enforcement. Compliance regulations focus on general corporate and financial law rather than game-specific standards. 

As such, companies must maintain valid business registrations, comply with tax requirements, and follow anti-money laundering laws. One aspect operators enjoy is that there’s a requirement to submit gaming audits, publish payout ratios, or even adhere to bonus restrictions.

Public registry availability

There’s no central regulator, so there’s no public registry for players to check the license status of Costa Rica casinos. Instead, players rely on corporate records, casino disclosures, and independent review platforms to access legitimacy. Even with that in mind, many reputable operators publish third-party audit certificates and licensing disclosures to enhance transparency.

Bonus and promotion restrictions

One of the most distinctive aspects of Costa Rica’s framework is the absence of statutory bonus controls. This allows casinos to offer:

• Larger welcome bonuses

• Frequent reload promotions

• Cashback and loyalty programs

• Crypto-based offers

While this flexibility benefits players, it also means bonus terms can vary significantly between operators. Therefore, it’s advisable to always review them with a keen eye to avoid surprises.

KYC/AML expectations

As with many other online casinos, you will need to complete KYC. This process usually includes providing documents that prove your identity and address. 

This particular step is essential to combating money laundering, another aspect Costa Rica remains keen on. Operators must present a document outlining the procedures used to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Use of technology and innovation in supervision

Technologically, Costa Rica supports modern gaming infrastructure and mobile-first design. Players also have access to cryptocurrency payments and advanced sportsbook integrations. This makes it attractive to operators seeking rapid scalability and international reach.

Taxation policies or business advantages that attract operators

Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system, meaning only locally sourced income is subject to taxation. Therefore, offshore operators don’t pay tax on profits generated globally. Additionally, the 13% VAT does not apply to offshore betting revenues. 

This move allows operators to reinvest more into platform development, marketing, and player rewards. As a result, players get better odds, faster payouts, and more competitive bonuses for players.

Trusted casino groups using this license

Costa Rica has long been a home to many gaming groups, particularly in the sportsbook and hybrid sectors. Many brands serving international players operate from Costa Rica due to its operational flexibility and favorable business environment. Here is a list of some companies operating in Costa Rica. 

• Ace Revenue Group – Silver Oak Casino, Slot Madness, Captain Jack Casino

• Digimedia Limited – 7 Sultans Casino, Royal Vegas Online Casino

• Wilson International – Vegas Strip Casino, The Virtual Casino, Palace of Chance

These companies choose the Costa Rica license because it enables them to launch quickly, scale globally, and adapt their platforms without encountering restrictive regulatory barriers. The jurisdiction’s business-friendly structure also supports multi-brand portfolios, enabling groups to operate several platforms under a single corporate umbrella.

Pros and Cons for Players

Operating with the Costa Rica license may come with plenty of benefits, but there are several cons that players should look out for:

From a player’s perspective, this means faster sign-ups, bigger bonuses, and more payment flexibility. On the flip side, it also means players must rely more on the casino’s reputation, independent audits, and transparent policies rather than government enforcement.

What to expect from Costa Rica-licensed casinos

Players choosing Costa Rica-licensed casinos can generally expect a modern, internationally focused gaming experience.

Customer service quality

You’d expect customer service quality to be low because there’s no regulation. However, that’s not the case. Many online casinos offer 24/7 live chat support, often with multilingual teams serving players across multiple regions. Email support is also available, but you should exercise patience, as responses may take up to 24 hours. Most importantly, most support agents are knowledgeable about the cases they handle.

Bonus transparency and limits

Since there’s no regulation in Costa Rica, you can look forward to larger bonuses compared to what operators in regulated markets offer. However, the biggest downside to this is the wagering requirements and overall terms, which can be quite complex. Therefore, we advise you to always review the terms and conditions before claiming offers.

Verification and KYC process

Although not mandated by a gambling regulator, Costa Rican online casinos still verify players. In fact, Law 9449 requires organizations to conduct thorough KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures on their players. This procedure often happens right before withdrawals, particularly for larger amounts or certain payment methods.

Withdrawal speed and reliability

Withdrawal speeds vary from one casino to another. However, many operators here tend to process payments within 72 hours. Afterwards, how quickly you’ll receive your winnings depends on your preferred payment method. 

Because offshore casinos operate freely in Costa Rica, players have access to a wide variety of payment solutions. Transactions via cryptocurrencies take anywhere from hours to a day, or as little as minutes. eWallets come close with up to a day, while bank transfers may take up to five business days.

Tools for responsible gambling

Many Costa Rican casinos have safeguards that allow players to check their gambling activity. Some of these tools include:

• Deposit and loss limits

• Session time limits

• Cooling-off periods

• Self-exclusion options

Language availability, mobile UX, platform quality

Costa Rica casinos typically match what other operators from other jurisdictions offer in terms of mobile-first design. Most websites perform as expected on mobile devices, regardless of the operating system. Additionally, these operators offer players a variety of languages to choose from.

How the Costa Rica license compares to others

Eliminating the need for a license from a central regulator is the biggest flex about Costa Rica. However, the real question is how it compares to other regulators in the industry.

License Authority	Player Safety	Compliance Strictness	Licensing Costs	Bonus Freedom	Regulatory Oversight
Costa Rica	Medium	Low	Very Low	Very High	Minimal
Curacao	Medium	Medium	Low	High	Moderate
UK Gambling Commission	Very High	Very High	High	Low	Extensive
Malta Gaming Authority	Very High	Very High	High	Medium	Extensive
Isle of Man/Gibraltar	Very High	High	High	Medium	Extensive
Anjouan	Low to Medium	Low	Very Low	Very High	Minimal

Compared to Curacao, Costa Rica offers even greater operational freedom but with less regulatory oversight. However, when it comes to bonuses, it offers far more flexibility and product offerings than the likes of the Isle of Man, MGA, and the UKGC. While that may be the case, it lacks government-backed player protection mechanisms.

Conclusion: Is this license a mark of quality?

Quality is not what players would want to rely on when talking about a Costa Rica license, at least not in the European sense. This jurisdiction doesn’t guarantee government oversight, player compensation, or standardized protections. However, it can still indicate that a casino is part of a long-standing international gaming operation. One with significant infrastructure, global reach, and commercial stability. 

This type of license suits experienced players, bonus-focused users, crypto enthusiasts, and international bettors. Such players value flexibility, especially when it comes to payments. Then there’s the broad game selection. If you fall in this category, explore our full list of reviewed casinos operating under this license to find your next favorite site.

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