Licensing in
Costa Rica
Gaming Gateway offers guidance and assistance with all aspects of establishing an iGaming operation in Costa Rica.
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Business friendly
Costa Rica does not have a gaming authority, which imposes a formal gambling licence. Instead operators establish a data processing business which can legally provide gambling services to the international market.
Costa Rica best suited for low-risk, early-stage, or crypto-focused iGaming operators that want to go live fast, with minimal regulation.
However, for longevity, credibility, and global scalability, many businesses use Costa Rica as a stepping stone while preparing for licensing in Malta, Isle of Man, or Curacao.
Key advantages
Fast set-up
The requirements are minimal and corporate based due to Costa Rica not imposing stringent gambling regulation. Company registration generally takes 1-2 weeks and 1-2 weeks for bank and hosting set up, which results in an overall set up time of just 3-4 weeks.
Low costs
Costa Rica offers operators with exceptionally low business set up costs at around $4,000-$8,000. The licence renewal fee is also very low, just $5,000 for a permanent licence and $2,000 for a temporary licence.
Tax advantages
Costa Rica offers a competitive landscape for a business with some compelling tax advantages. These include the absence of gaming taxes, VAT, and tax on offshore income. Corporate tax only applies if income is sourced within Costa Rica. Due to the jurisdictions low business set up costs and tax incentives, its a great choice for start-ups.
Flexible requirements
Operators self-regulate, which means there is no authority overseeing compliance which entails much looser transparency requirements for shareholders and directors, and AML/KYC requirements. There are also no restrictions on games, crypto, currencies or payout systems which makes Costa Rica an ideal jurisdiction for a variety of business models.
Costa Rica licence
Costa Rica does not offer a formal gambling licence and instead follows a quasi-licensing framework. To obtain a licence, Operators must meet the corporate requirements outlined for a data processing business to apply for a data processing licence. The data processing licence covers all gaming B2C and B2B verticals and the requirements for a data processing business are outlined below.
Licence requirements
The applicant must set up a data processing business in Costa Rica to offer legal gaming services, this involves establishing a company in Costa Rica, appointing a local representative or registered agent, maintaining a business address, and declaring the business purpose as a 'data processing' or 'entertainment services' company. Once the business is set up, it can apply for a data processing licence.
There are several operational requirements the data processing company must adhere to, it is not permitted to target Costa Rican residents and local access must be blocked. It must set up offshore bank accounts as banks in Costa Rica do not permit gambling activities. Operators are also required host their site offshore or on neutral servers.
While there are no compliance requirements enforced by an authority in Costa Rica, Operators must meet the compliance requirements for international markets.
Gaming Gateway assists clients in meeting all the licence requirements and provides dedicated support throughout the entire process.
Licence Timeframe
The business set up process in Costa Rica is very quick and generally takes 3-4 weeks. Once the business set up is complete, the company can apply for the data processing licence.
Prior to the licensing process, we will work closely with you to set up your iGaming entity and prepare your licence application. This typically takes around 4 weeks, however it does also depend on how quickly you can provide us with the information and documentation required for the licence.
How to obtain the Licence
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1. Book a free consultation
Speak with our team to discuss your business model and licence you would like to apply for. We can answer any of your questions and outline the process in further detail.
2. Receive a bespoke fee proposal
After the call, we will share with you a bespoke fee proposal which outlines your requirements, our services and the costs involved.
3. Licence application
Once you accept the fee proposal, we begin the licence application process straight away. We also request clients to complete our due-dilligence process which is utilised in the licence application.
4. Company set-up
Once you have passed our due-dilligence, we establish your company and open your corporate bank account.
5. Apply for licence
Once we have completed your licence application, including creating a comprehensive business plan, we assist with applying for the licence.
6. Go live
Once your licence application has been approved, we assist you with operational aspects, and provide support with on-going compliance and reporting.
Costa Rica FAQs
There is no mandatory AML/KYC reporting, or responsible gambling obligations, or inspections or audits carried out. However, operators are expected to self-regulate to maintain user trust and partner relationships. Operators should establish AML and KYC protocols in alignment with OECD guidelines.
Operators can generally serve unregulated or grey markets, such as LATAM, Asia, Africa, some crypto or offshore player bases. It is prohibited to target Costa Rica residents, blacklisted or strictly regulated countries like the UK, France, Netherlands, or the USA.
Operators must avoid using misleading claims like “licensed by Costa Rica” or displaying fake regulatory seals. Instead, Operators should say “This website is operated by XYZ S.A., a Costa Rican-registered company for entertainment and data processing services.”
Costa Rica is a good option for start-ups, crypto casinos and early-stage international operators. Unfortunately, it lacks the compliance, consumer protection, and brand credibility needed for scaling into Tier 1 or regulated markets.
Your gateway into the game
Our team of professionals hold decades of experience in the iGaming sector. We've assisted some of the largest global brands with their licensing and corporate service needs.
We are experts in regulation, compliance, and corporate governance. Our support is designed to simplify and ease regulatory pressures, allowing you to focus on driving business growth.
As your global iGaming partner, we are committed to exceeding your expectations and ensuring your long-term success.
Ready to licence?
If you have a licence already in mind, complete the form below and our team will be in touch.
If you'd like expert advice on choosing the right licence for your business model, please complete the form or contact our team directly.
