Last updated on: May 16th, 2025
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 amount of legal sports betting sites in Costa Rica 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.
Sports Betting Websites
| Rank | Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit BetOnline! |
| 2 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit MyBookie! |
| 3 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit SportsBetting! |
#1
BetOnline Sportsbook
Great For Live Betting In Costa Rica
With an enormous amount of sports action around the world, it can be difficult to always know when every main event is taking place, but BetOnline has an extensive live betting section that combats these issues by always presenting games to wager on. Whether betting on American football, soccer, or cycling, BetOnline will have it in the love betting section if it is currently taking place. For the major events, there will be a countdown on the live section as well.
Rating: 
- Live Betting
- Fast Payouts
- Mobile Browser Betting
#2
SportsBetting Sportsbook
Betting On The NFL
The NFL has been becoming more popular in Costa Rica especially with the ability to bet on every single game. SportsBetting has odds for all of the action, and gives bettors the chance to wager on each individual money line, live bet on every game, and even place future bets on the Super Bowl and Conference champions.
Ratings:
- Future Betting
- Sign Up Bonuses
- Easy Registration Process
| Costa Rica 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 fully 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 prosecutable crime. The online sports betting industry in the country is thriving and only looks to be primed for more growth in the coming years.
Costa Rica Sports Betting Markets
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.
Legal Costa Rica Betting Sites
The most popular legal Costa Rica betting sites are legal throughout 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.
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 KingdomLegal 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.