Gambling Age In Costa Rica

Minimum Age: 18

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Costa Rica, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 18. This applies to casinos, sports betting, and lotteries, as per the Gaming Control Law, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with over 30 casinos in San José and Puntarenas, offering slots, poker, and table games, catering to tourists. Betting shops and lotteries, operated by the Social Protection Board, are widespread, requiring ID checks to enforce the 18-year-old age limit. The casino market, valued at $100 million annually, supports tourism, with venues offering game catalogs you’ve shown interest in.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is legal and a global hub, with Costa Rica issuing data processing licenses for operators hosting casinos, sports betting, and poker platforms worldwide, accessible via mobile devices. The market, generating $200 million in 2024, lacks local player regulation, allowing residents to use offshore sites without legal protections. Costa Rica’s licensing model, less stringent than Kahnawake’s, attracts international operators.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce regulates gambling under the Gaming Control Law of 1999, focusing on land-based venues, while online operators require only a data processing license. This minimal oversight ensures fair play and anti-money laundering measures for casinos but not online platforms. Recent 2024 tax reforms (10% on operators) aim to fund tourism, supporting Costa Rica’s $500 million gambling-tourism economy.

Enforcement and Penalties: Costa Rica enforces land-based regulations moderately. Operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to CRC 5 million or license revocation. Online enforcement is negligible, as the focus is on licensing revenue. Players engaging in underage gambling face fines, maintaining a relaxed but stable gambling environment attractive to foreign operators.

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