Gambling License in Costa Rica

Gambling License in Costa Rica: What is required for licensing

The Data Processing license is issued by the local municipality, and to apply, you only need to have an office in the country and hire a legal representative. If the enterprise is foreign-owned, this position must be filled by a Costa Rican resident.

The state does not require what is usually requested in other jurisdictions for licensing:

• No business plan is needed;
• No profit plan requirements;
• No measures required regarding gambling addiction prevention;
• No requirements related to software;
• No financial reporting or mandatory bank accounts, etc.

There are also no requirements for a large initial capital. However, to obtain a gambling license in Costa Rica, at least 25% of the issued share capital must be paid during company registration.

If you want to operate in the gambling sector, Costa Rica imposes only one condition: the company’s activities must not target the country or its residents. This is because Costa Rican residents are prohibited from using such online operators’ services. The restriction also applies to the equipment needed for online operations: it must be physically located outside of Costa Rica.

Online Casino License: Costa Rica and its licensing specifics

When applying for a license, business owners must pay a one-time fee of $15,000 and then pay $1,500 quarterly for renewal. An additional advantage is that if the operator offers services in any country in the world except Costa Rica, from the government’s perspective such a company is considered self-regulated and therefore exempt from income tax.

If you are interested in a gambling license, Costa Rica issues this permit within 2–5 weeks. You can simplify and speed up the procedure by contacting our specialists. We will handle the entire licensing process, after which you can start operating in the online gambling sector as a licensed operator.

Gambling License in Costa Rica vs Other Jurisdictions

Below we compare the Gambling License in Costa Rica with other popular gambling jurisdictions, highlighting key differences in regulation, reputation, costs, and operational structure.

Jurisdiction	Description
Costa Rica	The gambling license in Costa Rica is not an official gambling license because there is no dedicated regulator for online gambling. Operators typically register a local company and operate under general corporate law, usually classified as IT or software services. Regulation is effectively absent, which allows low-cost and flexible setup, but there is no formal gambling oversight or license protection.
Curaçao Gaming Control Board	The Curacao gaming license is a long-established offshore license with medium-level regulation that has been gradually modernised. It offers moderate reputation, relatively fast setup through authorised providers, and lower operational costs. It is widely used but has lower prestige compared to top-tier EU jurisdictions.
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission	The gaming license Isle of Man is a premium regulated license with high standards, strong compliance requirements, and strict oversight. It requires physical presence, detailed audits, and higher operational costs. It is highly respected internationally and valued for credibility and trust.
Malta Gaming Authority	The gaming license Malta is one of the most reputable EU licenses with very high regulatory standards. It requires full compliance, local substance, and continuous supervision. Costs are higher, but it provides strong legal certainty, EU recognition, and excellent reputation in regulated markets.
Tobique Gaming Commission	The Tobique gambling license is an emerging and relatively new jurisdiction with simplified requirements and faster approval. It offers lower setup costs and easier entry conditions. Reputation is still developing, but it is increasingly used by operators seeking flexible and quick licensing solutions.