Legal Sports Betting In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the friendlier countries in the world for online sports betting operators. Because of this, the number of legal Costa Rica sports betting sites is very high. Offering bets for residents and visitors, they even let those living in other countries wager. There isn’t land-based sports betting that is legal in Costa Rica yet, though. Their progressive focus is on Costa Rica sports betting sites & online sportsbooks. The most popular sports to bet on in Costa Rica are soccer, baseball, and American football. No matter what you wish to bet on, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at a Costa Rican sportsbook.

Costa Rica Sports Betting Laws

Costa Rica’s stance on online sports betting is extremely firm. In 2012 Costa Rican courts overrode the U.S. government by refusing to investigate American bettors placing wagers with Bovada, citing national sovereignty. In other words, they won in court that anyone should be able to engage in legal sports betting with them. The regulations are forgiving when it comes to Costa Rica sports betting laws.

Legal Costa Rica Sports Betting Sites

The most popular legal Costa Rica betting sites are legal throughout most of the world. They accept players from Costa Rica, from other Central American countries, and even from the United States. There are numerous legal betting sites in Costa Rica, but the best ones offer comprehensive 24/7 customer support, a wide selection of betting options, big deposit bonuses, and top-notch security for personal and financial data. Whether you are betting on a desktop computer or a mobile device, legal betting is always only a few clicks away in Costa Rica.

Sports Betting Websites

Costa Rica Sportsbook Info
Status:	Legal and Licensed
Online:	Yes
Min Age:	18+
Restrictions:	None
Popular Sports:	Soccer

Which Online Sportsbooks Are Based Out Of Costa Rica?

There are many legal online sportsbooks that are headquartered in the country. Costa Rica also has some of the loosest sports betting laws there are and also have extremely low tax rates which allow for the sportsbooks to have larger margins. Some of the online sportsbooks that are based in Costa Rica include:

• Bovada
• MyBookie
• XBet

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Costa Rica?

Yes, online sportsbooks taking Costa Rican players are legal. Players both from Costa Rica and from all over the world can legally bet on sports using Costa Rican sportsbooks. Costa Rica residents can also legally bet online with sportsbooks based in other countries as well. Popular betting options for online sports betting include live, in-play wagering, prop bets, money lines, and more. Even if you live outside Costa Rica, particularly in the U.S., betting with a Costa Rican sportsbook is not a crime. The online sports betting industry in the country is thriving and only looks to be primed for more growth in the coming years.

Best Cities In Costa Rica For Sports Betting

Costa Rica is a small country, and it has only three cities with more than 50,000 residents:

• San José
• Puerto Limón
• San Francisco

These three cities account for 450,000 of Costa Rica’s nearly 5 million people, and are the primary markets for legal betting sites in Costa Rica. In terms of actual sports in Costa Rica that residents choose to bet on, the most popular league in the country is Liga FPD. This is the top division of Costa Rican soccer. Costa Rica is still riding the high of its eight-place finish at the 2014 World Cup, and that has bolstered the popularity of the sport throughout the country. The country’s three top clubs are Deportivo Saprissa, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, and Club Sport Herediano, which have accounted for a combined 92 of Liga FPD’s 111 total championships. The two biggest provinces for sports betting by far are San José and Alajuela.

Where Costa Rica Sports Betting Revenue Goes

The country doesn’t tax sports betting operators here. A big incentive for legal sports betting in Costa Rica, they are only subject to corporate taxes. This is still far below the rate of other countries. The money goes toward a lump sum for the federal government of Costa Rica. There, it is applied to various budgets. Revenues for sports betting are low in Costa Rica because of the tax rate.

 

Countries With Legal Sports Betting

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Ghana
• India
• Kenya
• Mexico
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Peru
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• United Kingdom

Legal Sports Betting in Costa Rica FAQs

Why are so many sportsbooks based in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica offers very forgiving laws and favorable conditions for online sports betting operators. Sites like Bovada can base their operations in Costa Rica while still offering legal sports betting to bettors in dozens of other countries. In general, Central America and the Caribbean are a hotbed for the sports betting industry.

How does currency exchange work with Costa Rican sportsbooks?

The easiest way to manage money with Costa Rican sportsbooks is to use cryptocurrency, which is valid in every country and does not require currency exchange. Most such sportsbooks accept major global currencies like dollars and euros, but for more niche currencies, look at e-wallet services that come with built-in exchange software.  

Can you bet on sports in every province in Costa Rica?

Online sports betting is legal in all seven provinces of Costa Rica. Brick-and-mortar sports betting isn’t legal in any of them, but with the wide array of online sports betting options available throughout the country, that shouldn’t be a big concern. Mobile sports betting is likewise legal in all seven provinces.

Are tourists allowed to bet in Costa Rica?

All bettors who are at least 18 years old can legally bet online in Costa Rica. Additionally, 18-year-old bettors in many other countries can also legally bet with Costa Rican sportsbooks. Whether you are living in the country full-time or simply visiting for a few days or weeks, as long as you are on Costa Rican soil, Costa Rican law applies.

Why doesn’t Costa Rica have casino sports betting?

Historically, gambling has been illegal in Costa Rica, and that only began to change recently as the country adopted a laxer attitude toward online gambling. Laws are slowly changing, so brick-and-mortar sports betting could still be on the horizon, especially as Costa Rica looks for new ways to monetize the gambling industry.