Quick Navigation
Costa Rica is a country where gambling is deeply rooted in its tradition and culture in such a way that the country even issues its own licenses for online casinos. The gaming industry is well established in Costa Rica, so its citizens are lucky enough to have numerous online casinos to play at.
For that reason, a guide is very necessary so that players can choose with peace of mind. In our article you will find the best online casino sites in Costa Rica for 2025, ways of accessing them, what to expect, and much more.
1 | 100% Up To €120 + 120 Free Spins | Read 20Bet Review |
| 18+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. More Details | Overview
| |
2 | 100% Match Bonus of up to £100 now! | Read 888Casino Review |
| 18+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. More Details | Overview
| |
3 | Match Welcome Bonus Package up to $5,000! | Read Wild Casino Review |
| 18+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. More Details | Overview
| |
4 | 100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins | Read Wazamba Review |
| 18+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. More Details | Overview
| |
5 | 100% Match Bonus to all three first deposits! | Read SpinCasino Review |
| 18+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. More Details | Overview
|
Is Online Casino Legal in Costa Rica?
International online casinos are legal, while those registered in the country are prohibited. Even so, the offer to play is quite wide with all kinds of games available.
Costa Rica has a large number of businesses dedicated to gambling. Traditional casinos and games of chance are legal in this country, with the sole exception of Blackjack. However, there is a very similar game known by the name of Rummy, which can be considered a kind of blackjack modality.
Most gaming venues are located in San José, the country’s capital. It is also important to mention that Costa Rica casinos are often part of a hotel or resort to offer a complete experience to their customers.
Gambling laws in Costa Rica have always been unrestrictive, both in the face-to-face environment and in the online sector. However, due to the little control that existed, the government began to take action on the matter. In 2002, traditional casinos were forced to pay emergency taxes and in 2010 casino opening hours were restricted from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Likewise, in 2012, the law was approved with the intention of regulating and controlling the activity of casinos. This new legislation also affected online gambling, since for the first time Costa Rican players were prohibited from betting in online casinos registered in their country of residence. However, this prohibition does not apply to gambling in international online casinos.
Some of the world’s first online casinos were established in this country in the 1990s. Costa Rica is an offshore territory that offers international gaming licenses for interested operators. These are the main requirements that are demanded of the companies that request this license are the following:
Operators that obtain the Costa Rican gaming license will be able to offer their services legally in any part of the world where online gambling is not regulated. However, many operators currently prefer other types of more prestigious authorizations such as licenses issued by the government of Malta, the United Kingdom, or even Curaçao. These licenses are much more demanding and therefore also represent a greater security guarantee for players.
Since 2012, residents of Costa Rica cannot access casinos operated in their country, however, they can play online through foreign casinos. Therefore, Costa Rican players are allowed to gamble at a large number of international online casinos. In fact, it is rare to find operators that prohibit gambling for users residing in Costa Rica. Therefore, the offer of online casinos available in this country is immense.
At the moment, online gambling in Costa Rica is not regulated like in some countries and therefore, users residing in the country have access to a large number of foreign casinos. As long as this situation does not change, the supply of gaming portals available in this territory will be maintained.
Although the tax legislation that touches legal gambling in Costa Rica is very extensive, there is no section that contemplates the prizes awarded in online casinos. On the other hand, the law is very clear regarding the winner of the national lottery, who must pay 25%. Online gambling continues to create a regulatory vacuum in the country’s legislation. However, the taxes on the casinos themselves are in full force and effect. These are regulated in accordance with the tourism industry, since, as we have pointed out, gambling is linked to the hotel industry.
In any case, as in all cases involving tax transparency, we recommend that you contact an expert in Costa Rican tax matters. This topic is highly fluid and standards are updated all the time.
When playing online casino games, the pages require you to register an account and then deposit real money into it. This can be potentially risky, so before you deposit, it’s best to check your banking options.
Some of the genuine payment options used include prepaid cards, debit or credit cards, e-wallets, and transfers. It is a good sign if you select a casino that has all the major payment options.
These days, most online gambling sites tend to offer a wide range of games without much concern for the quality of the games. However, this is precisely what distinguishes the best casinos in Costa Rica. When selecting your sites, the quality of the software and providers is paramount.
The fluidity of the feature, the soundtrack of the game, and even the attention to detail are necessary to ensure that it is a high-quality page. Without such elements, games seem amateurish at best and illegitimate at worst.
Security is an aspect that fans often overlook when choosing an online casino from Costa Rica. However, only a small fraction cares about guaranteeing fair, clean, and responsible gaming. Remember that in these places you risk real money. Money that may have cost you a lot to collect. In addition, you must enter your financial information and personal data.
This is why it is so important that you check a trader’s background before opening an account on their platform.
If an online casino doesn’t have good reviews, run away immediately! A smart player only bets on sites that meet the highest quality standards. Take the time to read the reviews and customer testimonials to get an idea of the operator.
In this guide, as well as in other similar ones, you will find a list of safe casinos that accept Costa Rican players. All of them are licensed and have a strong reputation among users.
Ideally, you want to sign up for a casino that you know will pay out when you win, and the only way to guarantee that is for the site to be properly regulated. A remote gaming license authorizes the operator to offer Internet gambling services in a certain country or special territory. In addition, it ensures that the return to player percentage is fair and that the random number generators are not rigged.
The authorization process is quite complicated for companies as they have to undergo numerous tests. Therefore, if a casino has a license, it is because it met several security requirements to obtain it.
Now, there are different types of permits and each jurisdiction has its own regulatory body. Some of the most prestigious licenses are those issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
Every good casino welcomes new players with a welcome bonus. This is an incentive in the form of credits or free spins that you can play with and even win real money. Aside from the signup bonus, some sites offer top-ups, partial refunds, VIP programs, and exclusive rewards.
Please note that these promotions are subject to a number of terms and conditions, so be sure to read them carefully before signing up.
There is a big variety of games at online casino sites in Costa Rica. Little quantity is synonymous with a boring or under-construction platform. The recommended casinos have all the favorites: slots, roulette, poker, and more. In the following table we will describe the best casino games in Costa Rica:
The great attraction of online casino sites in Costa Rica is that they have a large catalog of bonus offers for all types of players. New players can take advantage of the welcome bonus, no deposit bonus, or free spins for casino games. In the following sections, we talk at length about the different bonuses, and their characteristics and recommend the best options available in our market.
A bonus offered to new players when they first sign up for an account with a casino. It can come in the form of a deposit match or free spins.
A bonus offered to players who make large deposits or place high bets. It can come in the form of a deposit match, cashback, or exclusive rewards.
A bonus offered to new players without the need to make a deposit. It can come in the form of free spins or bonus money.
A bonus that awards a certain number of free spins on a specific slot game or a selection of games.
A bonus that rewards players for their loyalty and regular play. It can come in the form of free spins, bonus money, or exclusive promotions.
What Is the Best Payment Option for Costa Rican Players?
When going to foreign casino sites (as most Costa Ricans do), finding good e-wallets is a great option. They provide very safe and fast transactions and are incredibly convenient for other online payments.
This is an essential point in the reliability of the operators, since withdrawals and deposits are the instances where the real money is used. For them, casinos must have several reliable payment options. Below we will introduce the most common payment options in Costa Rica.
Payment methods in Costa Rica online casinos:
International online casinos are legal, while those registered in the country are prohibited. Even so, the offer to play is quite wide with all kinds of games available.
Playing at online casinos in Costa Rica is safe, as long as they are licensed and regulated by an internationally recognized authority.
As long as online gambling is illegal, there will be no mandatory deposit limits. Be that as it may, some casino sites will set quite fair limits that are convenient to all players. Payment methods also have a little bit of say here. Always check these limits before starting your gambling experience in Costa Rica.
So far, no laws require players to pay any tax when it comes to online gambling. Therefore, your online gambling activities should be kept secret, just like your winnings.
Most casino sites in Costa Rica will immediately make your profits available for withdrawals. However, the transaction speed of your payment option of choice will influence the final waiting time. You can find how fast the best money transfer options in Costa Rica are in this article.
When accessing foreign online casinos, Costa Ricans will find dozens of great options. All casinos are different and offer different services. Likewise, players enjoy different services as well. To find the best casino site, you need to look for what you want from a casino first. There will be a casino that suits your needs for sure and that one will be the best one for you.
All kinds of games can be found in Costa Rica. Slots are the preferred games everywhere and on all operators as they are characterized by their high contribution to roll-over. Progressive Jackpots are like traditional slots with the addition of a progressive jackpot that anyone can win. Table game classics of traditional casinos are roulette, poker, blackjack, and many options that do not stop growing. Live games are the usual games with the inclusion of a live dealer and other simultaneous participants to add excitement. The list is constantly growing, and each operator will surprise you with their own new selection of games.
The most popular game in Costa Rica is slot machines. This is due to its ease of use since its rules do not present many complexities. However, its high contribution to meeting wagering requirements is also a factor behind its popularity in the market. Roulette, poker, and blackjack are also in high demand in Costa Rica.
In addition to the signup bonus, a casino may offer its new users free spins for signing up or making the first deposit. They are usually valid for use in certain online slots that the operator wants to promote, but there are also casinos that offer free spins for other games within their catalog of promotional offers.
These free spins are also subject to terms and conditions. You also have to wager a number of times the value of the bonus within a time frame. Compared to the welcome bonus, the deadline to fulfill the rollover is only a couple of days. Also note the issue related to earnings, as they can be capped at a certain amount of money.
They are, without a doubt, the most popular offers among players. There is hardly any online casino that does not offer real money or free spins to its new customers in exchange for their first deposit or, in some more advantageous cases, several first deposits. Being granted for the first income, these bonuses are mainly aimed at new users. Casinos double the value of your deposit up to a certain amount. Therefore, it is necessary to create a gambling profile and deposit some money. Sometimes, depositing money is not necessary and the bonus can be claimed right after joining a casino.
In Costa Rica, the treatment option for those who suffer from gambling is the support of Gamblers Anonymous. This organization was created 10 years ago by people who suffer from evil. Today about 30 people attend the association three times a week, following a method similar to that of the Alcoholics Anonymous group. Recently, a new headquarters was opened in Heredia. You can find Gamblers Anonymous addresses here.
🔎 Looking for betting sites? Here are the best betting sites in Costa Rica.
️