Top Costa Rica Sportsbooks & Betting Options for 2025

Costa Rica has long been a global hub for online sportsbooks, hosting some of the biggest names in the sports betting industry. While the country is home to many top-rated betting platforms, most Costa Rica sportsbooks primarily serve international bettors, especially from North America.

But what about local players? Can Costa Ricans legally place bets online?

And which are the best sportsbooks that accept Costa Rican players?

In this guide, we’ll explore the Costa Rica sports betting landscape, covering the top sportsbooks, legal betting options, and the future of online gambling in the country.

Costa Rica’s Role in Online Sports Betting

The online sports betting market is expected to reach $182.12 billion by 2030, with Latin America playing a key role in this growth.

Costa Rica, a leading destination for offshore sportsbooks, has become a base for many of the world’s most popular betting sites due to its business-friendly regulations and low operating costs.

However, despite its reputation as a sports betting hotspot, Costa Rica does not have a regulated online betting market for its own residents.

While offshore sportsbooks operate legally from Costa Rica, they typically do not allow Costa Ricans to place bets on their platforms.

The Legal Status of Costa Rica Sports Betting

Costa Rica has a permissive regulatory environment for gambling businesses but does not issue licenses for online sportsbooks that serve Costa Rican residents.

Instead, most Costa Rica sportsbooks are offshore operators catering to U.S., Canadian, and international bettors.

For locals, betting options are limited but not non-existent. Costa Ricans can legally bet at international sportsbooks that accept players from Costa Rica, at land-based casinos, or through cryptocurrency betting sites, which operate in a legal gray area.

Top Offshore Sportsbooks Operating in Costa Rica (For International Bettors)

Some of the biggest sportsbooks in the world are headquartered or operate from Costa Rica, but they primarily serve offshore markets. These include:

• Bookmaker.eu – A pioneer in the sports betting industry, offering high betting limits and early lines for professional bettors.
• BetCRIS – One of the largest sportsbooks in Latin America, known for its competitive odds and reliability.
• Heritage Sports – Offers VIP-style betting, reduced juice odds, and top-tier customer service.

While these sportsbooks are legally based in Costa Rica, they do not accept Costa Rican players. Instead, they focus on the U.S., Canada, and other international markets.

Best Sportsbooks for Costa Rican Players in 2025

Despite the restrictions, some international sportsbooks do accept Costa Rican residents, offering a legal and safe way to place bets online. Here are the best Costa Rica sportsbooks available to locals:

1. MyBookie

✅ Accepts Costa Rican players.
✅ Offers a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1,000.
✅ Covers a wide range of sports, from soccer and basketball to esports and UFC.

2. XBet

✅ A sister site to MyBookie with similar features.
✅ Features live betting, allowing real-time wagers on games.
✅ Accepts cryptocurrency deposits, making transactions easy for Costa Rican players.

3. Bovada

✅ One of the most popular sportsbooks in the U.S. and Latin America.
✅ Crypto-friendly, with Bitcoin bonuses for deposits.
✅ Known for its strong reputation, competitive odds, and fast payouts.

4. BetOnline

✅ A well-established sportsbook with a strong focus on sports betting and live wagering.
✅ Offers a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000.
✅ Supports Costa Rican players with secure deposit options, including Bitcoin and credit cards.

Alternative Betting Options in Costa Rica

For those who prefer alternatives to traditional online sportsbooks, there are other ways to engage in Costa Rica sports betting legally.

1. Land-Based Sportsbooks & Casinos

Costa Rica has several brick-and-mortar casinos that offer sports betting. Some of the most popular locations include:

• Casino Club Colonial (San José) – One of the few casinos that provide legal sports betting in person.
• Sheraton San José Hotel & Casino – Features casino gaming and limited sports betting kiosks.

2. Cryptocurrency Sportsbooks

Some Costa Rican bettors choose crypto-friendly sportsbooks, which offer anonymity and flexible payment options. Popular platforms include:

• Stake.com – One of the largest crypto sportsbooks, accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
• Sportsbet.io – Features low transaction fees, fast payouts, and an extensive sports betting market.

The Future of Costa Rica Sports Betting

With Latin America's sports betting market expected to grow at 18.4% annually, there is speculation that Costa Rica could introduce a regulated sports betting framework similar to countries like Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil.

If the Costa Rican government establishes a national licensing system, it could create:

• A legal, safe betting market for residents.
• More regulated and tax-generating sportsbooks.
• A competitive online sports betting industry for locals.

However, Costa Rican sportsbooks remain offshore-focused, and Costa Ricans must rely on international betting platforms that accept local players.

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica continues to be a global hub for offshore sportsbooks, yet local sports betting options remain limited. While Costa Rica sportsbooks like Bookmaker.eu and BetCRIS operate internationally, residents must turn to internationally licensed sportsbooks like MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline, and XBet to legally place bets.

With the Latin American betting market booming, Costa Rica may soon join the trend of regulated online sports betting, but until then, bettors must use trusted offshore sportsbooks or cryptocurrency-based betting platforms to participate in Costa Rica sports betting.

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