Costa Rica is the most prosperous country in Central America, known for its biodiversity and nature tourism. Regarding sports betting in Costa Rica, it arrived in a similar way to the rest of the countries, although with variations in each place.
In Costa Rica, there is gambling regulation since 2012 but it is a regulation full of loopholes that do not prevent Costa Ricans from betting in houses in other countries, with which they can visit and bet on the main internet betting houses. Bearing that in mind, here are the best sports betting sites in Costa Rica for 2024 and see what you can expect to find there.
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Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Costa Rica?
Online casinos are still a bit unexplored territory when it comes to regulations but since gambling is legal in Costa Rica, online gambling is possible as well, although at foreign sports betting sites.
The current law is from 2012, which means that for a few years they have known the importance of regulating a market. To tell the truth, and if we compare it with the rest of the surrounding countries, Costa Rica had more than enough reasons to legislate in this regard. Not surprisingly, at the beginning of the century, betting companies and casinos began to appear in Costa Rican territory, much more focused on convincing the autistic Anglo-Saxon to play with them than on offering their services to the native people. But whatever it was, the fact is that they settled in Costa Rica, so it can be said that it is not a new element that they have just found, but that they have been accustomed to the business for some time.
At the beginning of the century, the first betting companies emerged in Costa Rica. To this must be added that since the 1960s there has been Totogol, a kind of pool, and that in 1994 another new sport betting game called Creatico was created, although it did not catch on. These games were indeed focused on the Costa Rican public, but as it happens with the different pools of the countries, this one was also focused on the national league, so currently they can no longer compete with the big bookmakers. In short, the fact is that there is currently legislation and a State that distributes licenses to establish themselves in the country.
However, this law does not prohibit online betting houses from operating with licenses from other countries, so the offer for Costa Ricans is enormous. This law, called the Tax Law on Casinos and Electronic Gambling Call Link Companies, is more focused on controlling than trying to ensure that the betting houses that operate have a license. Later we will talk about taxes, which is ultimately what matters in this regulation since otherwise, it has little to say.
In short:
The supervision of bets has always been the fundamental issue when it comes to regulating this system from the Government of Costa Rica. Already in 2002, seeing that there were more and more bookmakers and casinos on the ground, the state wanted to regularize their situation in order to claim taxes on their profits, something totally natural and that many other states had already put into practice.
Of course, they took advantage of the fact that already in the year 2000 there were some 120 gambling companies in Costa Rica and that, therefore, they could make a profit just as the bookmakers themselves did by settling there. Thus, as mentioned, as of 2002 the control was increasingly harsh in order for the bookmakers to continue their business in Costa Rica, but also to contribute more and more.
In this way, the current law was reached, that of 2012, the Tax Law on Casinos and Electronic Betting Call Link Companies, a law that makes it very clear what bookmakers can and cannot do, and what they must contribute to the State of Costa Rica.
The only ones that must pay taxes are the bookmakers. As for the user, he should not be worried about any of this. The only ones that must pay taxes are the bookmakers since the profits generated by the user are not taxed.
When evaluating a bookmaker, there are several points to note. If you are a beginner gambler and don’t know where to start, it’s important to clarify these points. That way, you will know what is essential to look for in a sports betting site in Costa Rica.
Remember once again that this selection of bookmakers is subjective. Therefore, you should only choose a bookmaker if you think it fits what you are looking for. Our intention is only to help novice bettors to find a good sports betting operator. So, let’s quickly explain five of the main criteria evaluated, although there are many more things to note.
Undoubtedly, this is the most important criterion. After all, you can’t choose a bookmaker that doesn’t have a license and doesn’t offer security to bettors.
In fact, the least that respected sports bookmakers have is a license to operate and secure websites. In an industry like this, all the time you are dealing with sensitive user information and financial transactions, you must be protected through a secure connection, with SSL/TLS protocol or additional security features. For example, firewalls and so on.
Would you like to walk into a restaurant and find just one or two dishes to choose from? Most likely not. What we always want is possibilities of choices and, in a bookmaker, this is fundamental. Thus, the sports betting sites in Costa Rica should have a large number of online betting markets, that is, the types of sports bets that bettors can place.
A quality sports betting company offers a complete catalog of sports, competitions and markets. Thus, the bettor has many options to place their guesses, like many modalities besides football – basketball, tennis, volleyball, combat sports, motorsports and more. There are also eSports (electronic sports), which grow every year. And even more unusual sports, like darts and cricket, for example.
In terms of competition, the menus are also extensive. Just to exemplify, in football, there are huge championships, such as the Champions League and the World Cup, to smaller tournaments.
The number of markets must also be vast. Thus, the bettor can choose different types of bets on an event. As football is the most popular, let’s give examples of some markets you can find in a match:
The variety of markets may change depending on the sporting event. So always check every betting site and events.
Odds are very important in sports betting. In fact, they are essential. After all, they determine how much punters can receive in returns in case of sure bets. So, it’s quite simple: the higher the odds the bookmaker offers, the better. In this way, we always look for bookmakers with good odds.
It is also important to mention that the odds are subject to market fluctuations and changes. So always keep an eye on sportsbooks for the most up-to-date odds.
The ability to place live bets is essential at a good sports betting site in Costa Rica. More and more bettors are looking for the possibility of placing bets in real-time. So big sports betting companies need to have this option. Therefore, always check each platform to see the catalog available for live betting. And see if the sport you prefer to bet on has a good variety.
In addition, some online betting sites also have features such as live streaming. In other words, live video streaming of sporting events. This is a very interesting feature for the bettor who enjoys live betting. After all, nothing is better than following the event before deciding whether to place a bet or not and see trends from what’s unfolding in real time. Some carriers may not offer this functionality. So always check each bookmaker.
Also, remember that the live streaming feature is subject to geographic and technical limitations. And the feature is not technically free, which means you must have an account balance to use it.
Another important aspect that we analyze in the best bookmakers in Costa Rica are promotions. For example, welcome bonuses. Online betting operators that provide welcome bonuses for new users come out ahead. It’s always good to start online betting with a bonus, not least because many young gamblers want to try the platform first.
Therefore, we should always check the welcome bonus of each bookmaker. And, of course, the offers for the oldest bettor, who already has an account on the online betting site. If the company has a good catalog of promotions, this really counts in its favor.
In case you are one of the bettors who prefers to focus on one sport at a time, let’s say tennis, you are one step ahead. By knowing the discipline that interests you, you can compare the different bookmakers to analyze which of them provides you with a better condition when betting.
For example, in the case of tennis, look for a bookmaker whose tennis odds are better than those of the competition. That by offering promotions they never forget this sport. Likewise, that it covers more markets than the average and that it provides good coverage of both ATP and WTP events.
When we talk about how to bet, we refer to the format of your bet, whether it is a simple bet, combined, with Cash Out, live or with any other new alternative offered by the sportsbook.
Find the sports betting sites in Costa Rica that offer the services you need and join them. You can use our guide to learn about choosing a bookmaker or simply choose one from the list provided above.
Technology and Internet connection allows us to register an account on any sports betting platform in a matter of minutes. It’s so easy, that the only really difficult thing is to hit all the bets. The requirements to create an account in a bookmaker are quite easy to meet:
The registration process can vary depending on the page you want to join, but in general, it is as easy as creating a Facebook account.
That’s it! You now have a sports betting site account to bet with. Before betting you will have to do two extra steps that are essential for your stay in the bookmaker to be positive.
Before you can deposit or withdraw money from your account at the best sports betting sites in Costa Rica, you must go through identity verification. This is a process to maintain 100% security and prevent someone from using your name illicitly. Likewise, identity verification prevents people from creating accounts due to idleness or the mere fact of claiming a promotion.
The requirements to prove that you are who you say you are are:
The verification process does not take more than a week, so betting in a short time is possible.
Some bookmakers licensed in Costa Rica establish an initial deposit of a certain minimum amount to let you enjoy all the markets within their platform. Before making any deposit, investigate what is the minimum amount that you must enter in order not to make a mistake and keep some of the functions blocked. The initial deposit is also important when it comes to bookmaker offers, especially the welcome deposit bonus. These promotions require a mandatory minimum deposit to be valid.
One thing to consider is that the first deposit method you use will be your first withdrawal method as well, so think carefully about which one you will use.
After the money has been deposited into the account, you can place sports bets online in Costa Rica. Go to the bookmaker’s website (or access it by a mobile app) and find all the sports and markets that you wish to bet on. Select the matches and types of bets, choose the amount of money to bet with, and confirm your betting slip. All that remains is to wait for the good news.
Costa Rica, like any brave Latin American country, feels fervor when the sport begins. It is a nation that enjoys football and a few other sports quite a lot. This is noticeable in the popularity of certain sports in betting.
When you log into an online sports betting site in Costa Rica to see the market selections for a sporting event, then you usually see fixed odds. This is the basic format of most betting, especially for newcomers to online betting. But just as the markets are huge, there are different types of bets.
A bet placed on a single outcome in a sports event. It is the simplest and most straightforward type of bet.
A type of bet that allows you to make multiple selections and covers all possible combinations within those selections to increase the chances of winning.
A wager that allows you to cover two out of three possible outcomes in a sports event, reducing your risk but offering lower odds.
Also known as accumulator bets, these involve betting on a series of selections. To win, all selections must be correct.
Bonuses and promotions play a fundamental role in Costa Rica bookmakers. It is thanks to them that many new users are interested in trying new operators. Next, we will leave you a list of the most outstanding ones.
A bonus awarded to new bettors without any initial deposit requirement. This can be in the form of a free bet or bonus credit for betting.
A bonus that offers a certain number of free bets based on various criteria like deposit amount, betting patterns, or promotional offers.
A bonus provided to new bettors when they first register with a betting site. Typically includes free bets or a matched bet based on their first deposit.
A bonus that returns a percentage of a bettor's losses over a specified timeframe. This helps mitigate some of the risks associated with losing bets.
A bonus tailored for VIP bettors with unique perks and benefits. Perks might include personal account managers, exclusive betting offers, and faster withdrawal options.
What Is the Best Payment Option for Costa Rican Players?
In general, most e-wallets are recommended for money transactions with sports betting sites in Costa Rica. Apart from being fast and secure, they offer anonymity, which is something Costa Ricans can greatly benefit from, especially since they have to access foreign betting sites.
All international payment methods are available in Costa Rica. But since it is better to deposit in the currency in which you are going to bet, we recommend depositing and withdrawing in these:
Gambling online from Costa Rica is not a crime. On the other hand, it is important to know the status of these, since online games of chance are currently in an illegal state. This means that they have not been legalized, but at the same time they do not represent a crime.
Yes, it is safe to gamble in Costa Rica. Not as much as in countries where online sports betting is fully legal and regulated, where there are quality guarantees that are seen in few regulated markets, but it is safe. Each bookmaker has defense systems against possible hacking attempts or the like, which are very effective and it is truly rare that there is a case of, for example, identity theft or balance withdrawal through another person.
We have already indicated that gambling is not illegal there, in any way. In addition, it is a place where gambling licenses are issued, so betting from there is as safe or safer than in many other sites, even in sports betting houses in the United States.
In most cases, the minimum deposit and minimum withdrawal with bank transfer is $10, although you may find operators that offer $5 to $20. Regarding the maximum, this will always be limited by default by the gaming and gambling company in question. Don’t worry, you can increase it in your profile.
The only ones that must pay taxes are the bookmakers. As for the user, he should not be worried about any of this. The only ones that must pay taxes are the bookmakers, since the profits generated by the user are not taxed.
It would be best to check the withdrawal times of your preferred payment method, as not every option is as fast as some other. For example, e-wallets are way faster than bank transfers, with credit cards somewhere in between.
Find the sports betting sites in Costa Rica that offer services you need and join them, as all sites offer different services. You can use our guide to learn about choosing a bookmaker or simply choose one from the list provided.
Most sports betting sites in Costa Rica offer sports such as football, basketball, F1, tennis, baseball, or boxing (among other sports). In addition to sports, some bookmakers allow you to play poker and also offer bingo, casino and horse racing games.
Football is the favorite sport of Costa Rican gamblers. Liga MX is filled with all the passion in the world and international events are equally relevant to every Costa Rican. Without a doubt, the main sport for your predictions.
There are three types of odds – decimal, fractional, and American odds. Due to the proximity of certain countries, all three types can be found in Costa Rica. The most common type are decimal odds, which show the potential outcome as a decimal number (for example, 1.5). The lower the number, the better the chance of something happening.
Some bookmakers in Costa Rica will offer free bets. Of course, for this you must meet certain conditions imposed by the bookmaker. Most of the time, the bonus has terms and conditions that affect the minimum rates of events in which said free bet is applicable.
While it’s considered one of the best bonuses as it means users don’t need to make a deposit, this is bad for the sportsbook. However, if you come across a no deposit bonus, it means that the only condition to receive promotional funds is to open a player account. You can get free bets or certain funds for bets.
Getting help for gambling addiction in Costa Rica is quite easy. Here is a list of addresses where bettors can seek help.
🔎 Looking for casino sites? Here are the best casino sites in Costa Rica.
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