COSTA RICA: THE OFFSHORE CAPITAL
Costa Rica occupies a unique position in online gambling. It's not really a market for bettors—it's where offshore sportsbooks are headquartered. Bovada, BetOnline, and dozens of other offshore operators base their operations in San José.
If you're an American expat living in Costa Rica, this creates an ironic situation: you're surrounded by sportsbook offices, but there's no regulated local market for you to bet in. The companies are there for the favorable business environment, not to serve Costa Rican (or resident expat) customers.
🎯 The Short Version
Costa Rica has no regulated sports betting market. There are no "Costa Rica sportsbooks" serving locals. Offshore books based there (Bovada, etc.) don't accept Costa Rican residents. Your options are international operators that happen to serve Costa Rica, or crypto sportsbooks.
THE LEGAL SITUATION
Costa Rica doesn't have specific online gambling legislation. Here's the reality:
- There is no regulatory framework for online sports betting
- No licenses are issued to operators to serve Costa Rican residents
- Offshore companies based in Costa Rica hold "data processing" licenses, not gambling licenses
- These companies explicitly do not accept Costa Rican players
- The government largely ignores online gambling—it's a gray area
đź’ˇ Why Sportsbooks Are Based in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers favorable conditions for offshore operators: no gambling-specific tax on foreign customers, English-speaking workforce, stable internet infrastructure, and convenient time zones for US markets. The "Costa Rica license" often mentioned in industry isn't really a gambling license—it's a general business/data processing permit.
YOUR OPTIONS AS AN EXPAT
If you're living in Costa Rica and want to bet on sports, here are your realistic options:
| Sportsbook | Accepts CR | Payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | âś“ Yes | Crypto only | Best option for Costa Rica |
| Cloudbet | âś“ Yes | Crypto only | Another crypto option |
| bet365 | âś“ Yes | Credit card, Skrill | May work with US cards |
| Bovada | ✗ No | — | Based in CR but doesn't accept CR |
| BetOnline | ✗ No | — | Based in CR but doesn't accept CR |
Stake: The Practical Choice
Stake accepts Costa Rican residents and offers full English support. They work with cryptocurrency, which sidesteps any local banking complications. If you have access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT, Stake is your most straightforward option.
🎰 STAKE - WORKS IN COSTA RICA
Crypto sportsbook accepting Costa Rican residents. English interface. 20+ cryptocurrencies. Instant withdrawals.
Join Stake →18+ | Crypto Only | Gamble Responsibly
bet365: Traditional Option
bet365 serves Costa Rica through their international platform. You may be able to deposit with US credit cards (success varies), Skrill, or Neteller. Their interface is available in English and Spanish.
PAYMENT METHODS
Payment is the main challenge in Costa Rica. Here's what works:
- Cryptocurrency: The easiest path. Buy BTC/ETH/USDT on Coinbase, transfer to Stake, bet.
- US Credit Cards: May work at bet365—try your card and see if it's declined
- E-wallets: Skrill and Neteller can work, but you'll need to fund them first
- Local Banking: Limited options; Costa Rican banks aren't integrated with sportsbooks
For most American expats in Costa Rica, crypto is the path of least resistance. You're already dealing with international banking complexities—adding a crypto step is often simpler than fighting credit card declines.
WHAT TO BET ON
Costa Rica doesn't have major professional sports leagues that attract betting interest. What you'll bet on:
- US Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL—full coverage at Stake and bet365
- International Football: Premier League, La Liga, Champions League
- Costa Rica National Team: World Cup qualifiers and Gold Cup
- Liga FPD: Costa Rica's top football division (Saprissa, Alajuelense, Herediano)—limited markets
Realistically, if you're in Costa Rica, you're betting on international sports, not local ones.
American or British Expat?
We have step-by-step guides specifically for expats dealing with US/UK banking blocks, passport verification, and finding sportsbooks that actually work for foreigners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use Bovada from Costa Rica?
No. Despite being headquartered in Costa Rica, Bovada explicitly does not accept Costa Rican residents. They serve US customers, not local ones.
Is sports betting legal in Costa Rica?
It's a gray area. There's no specific legislation. The government doesn't regulate or prohibit online betting by residents. It's tolerated but not licensed.
Do I need a Costa Rican ID?
No. International operators like Stake and bet365 accept passport verification.
Can I use DraftKings or FanDuel?
No. They're US-only and geoblocked.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Costa Rica is an odd case: it's the capital of offshore gambling operations, but there's no regulated local market. The sportsbooks based there don't serve residents.
Your best options:
- Stake with cryptocurrency—the most practical choice
- bet365 if you can get credit card deposits to work
- Fly to Panama or Colombia for a weekend if you want a regulated experience
It's not the most exciting market, but if you're living in Costa Rica and want to bet on NFL or soccer, Stake will get the job done. Pura vida. 🇨🇷