Costa Rica Sports Betting in 2024 – Top 10 Costa Rica Sportsbooks Ranked

Costa Rica sports betting sites can be tricky to find because the gambling landscape in the country is not straightforward to understand. Fear not; we are here to shed some light on the matter.

We’ll not only let you know where you stand with legal online betting in the Rich Coast but also show you where you can enjoy hassle-free sports betting, too. Read on to learn more.

Sports Betting in Costa Rica Overview

We can understand how you might be a tad confused by the legal betting options in Costa Rica right now. Well, we have compiled a table to help you better understand what is available to you.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Costa Rica?

Yes, but it’s not quite that simple. Costa Rica’s gambling laws can seem quite confusing at first, but once you know what you are looking at, it becomes a lot clearer. Online sports betting is huge in Costa Rica, and it’s actually one of the countries where many online sportsbooks receive their gambling license. That said, online sports betting is not legal or available to local residents in the country.

So, what does that really mean? Well, Costa Rica is all about attracting users from outside their own country with many of their sites serving as the best offshore options to people from around the world. Hence, why we have come up with 10 of the best offshore sites for Costa Ricans to enjoy.

Costa Rica Sports Betting Timeline

The timeline for betting in Costa Rica is interesting because they have not technically implemented any regulations for online gambling.

• 2020-Present: There have been no real changes to legislation (or lack thereof) in recent years.
• 2013-2015: A 5% tax on gambling revenues was suggested but again, it never came to be.
• 2008: Discussions were had to tighten the regulations but nothing came to fruition.
• 2000s: The government began allowing online gambling companies to operate under what they called “data processing” licenses, which did not actually require any specific regulation or licensing dedicated to allow for online betting.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Costa Rica?

To place sports bets in Costa Rica, you must be at least 18 years old and located within the country’s borders. However, that is for tourists and foreigners, as local residents are not actually permitted to do any sports betting in the country, whether at a retail sports betting shop or online.

Are Sportsbook Winnings in Costa Rica Taxable?

Costa Rica is what you might call a sports betting winnings haven, as Costa Ricans’ gambling winnings are not taxed at all. Unlike in the US where you can deal with both state and federal taxes, Costa Rica has no tax regulation in place at this time.

Pros & Cons of Betting on Sports in Costa Rica

Can Costa Rican Bettors Wager on Offshore Betting Sites?

You are caught between a rock and a sea on the Rich Coast if you are a local resident. There are great betting sites that operate with Costa Rican licenses, but you can’t access them. That doesn’t sound very right.? Well, luckily, there are plenty of offshore Costa Rica sportsbooks that you can use.

These offshore Costa Rica sports betting sites operate outside of the jurisdiction of the country, which means that locals can safely access them. They may operate in what you might call a hazy legal area but no one has ever found themselves in hot water for using these platforms before. Plus, these offshore sportsbooks have some of the best sports betting options for you and the best promos as well. It’s only that they operate offshore that makes people feel a little odd about using them when they really shouldn’t.

There are a number of sites that we want to show you that have the best overall sports betting options. These sites are all super safe to use and easy to sign up to which you will see from our reviews.

The Best Costa Rica Online Sports Betting Sites in 2024

These are the offshore Costa Rica sports betting sites we were talking about. Of all the sites we have reviewed, these are not only the most legitimate but the most enjoyable platforms you can use right now.

1. BetOnline – The No.1 best offshore Costa Rica betting site
2. Bovada – Accumulate reward points and redeem for cash
3. BetWhale – Reliable and secure payment methods to use
4. BetNow – Offers early cashout options
5. Everygame – Competitive soccer outright markets
6. MyBookie – Fantastic sports news resources
7. CoinPoker – The best mobile betting site
8. BetUS – Wide range of prop markets for most sports
9. SportsBetting.ag – Excellent live betting feature
10. Xbet – Plenty of NFL specials

Top 5 Costa Rica Online Sportsbooks Reviewed

To show you what these gambling sites are really all about and how you can use them, let’s get straight into detailed reviews of the top five offshore Costa Rica betting sites.

1. BetOnline – The No.1 Best Offshore Costa Rica Betting Site

BetOnline is our top pick out of all the best sports betting sites in Costa Rica. Their sportsbook is perfect for desktop and mobile betting. They may not have an official mobile app yet but the sportsbook can still easily be used on mobile devices. Plus, it has plenty of BetOnline bonuses and payment methods to use as well from Bitcoin and Litecoin to Visa and Mastercard, so you’ll have no trouble funding your account when you sign up.

Once you do sign up, you will be able to access a world of the best sports betting options and features. They cover all the best sports, from soccer and golf to motorsports and tennis. As one of the sharpest betting sites, BetOnline has done a stellar job of covering Costa Rican favorites as well, with partially great odds and markets on the national soccer team.

What really makes the BetOnline sportsbook shine is its features. They have a fantastic newsroom where you can stay up to date on all major sports news. Plus, you can watch shows and get advice from top tipsters in every sport via BetTV. You can also jump onto their live betting feature to place bets on matches that are still happening, with plenty of early cashout options. They also offer live streaming, so you can watch Los Ticos whenever they are playing.

BetOnline sports bonus:

2. Bovada – Accumulate Reward Points and Redeem for Cash

At Bovada, we found one of the top offshore Costa Rica online sportsbooks that we think does the best job of appealing to newbie bettors and veterans. They have a simple interface to navigate, so new users will be able to find their feet quickly, while they offer all the features veterans bettors will be after.

Sports bettors who enjoy live betting and in-play odds will also like the flashing odds that quickly change as prices update in real time, and there are cash out betting options for residents to grab a guaranteed payout for closing your bet before the event if finished.

As for payments, then there is plenty of choice with cryptos and more traditional methods, while different Bovada welcome bonuses are available depending on the payment method. For instance, opting for a crypto deposit means a 75% match up to $750, while credit and debit card users can take advantage of a 50% bonus up to $250. There is also the loyalty scheme where customers can accumulate points with every bet triggered. These valuable points can then be redeemed for bonus cash.

Elsewhere, bettors looking for a break from sports can pop into the casino and play games, which also includes some sporting themes, while the poker room has tournaments galore.

Bovada Sports Bonus:

3. BetWhale – Reliable & Secure Payment Methods To Use

With a site like BetWhale, you will have everything you need for a stellar betting experience. First off, their sign-up process takes a couple of minutes at most, as you’ll just enter a few details to get started. From there, you can make deposits with reliable crypto options, or you can even use PayPal, which is quite rare to find with offshore sites. This paired with the BetWhale bonuses was a big positive in our book.

The BetWhale sportsbook does a fantastic job of covering leagues and events that Costa Ricans would be interested in. For one, they have a comprehensive selection of markets for the Primera División in the country, allowing you to bet on all the top teams like Deportivo Saprissa, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, and Club Sport Herediano. Other than that, you can find a host of other international events to bet on, from Formula 1 and NASCAR to Wimbledon and La Liga.

The live betting feature at BetWhale is superb although it did stutter every now and then when we were using it. We found plenty more live betting markets to choose from and live streaming options. Don’t expect the live streaming options to include the World Cup final or anything, but you can definitely catch some local games and some of the bigger sporting events, too.

BetWhale sports bonus:

4. BetNow – Offers Early Cash Out Options

Something about BetOnline and BetWhale is that they have a ton of options that can look quite intimidating. With a sportsbook like BetNow, you won’t feel quite so overwhelmed, as they have a much smaller range of sports to bet on. That said, they still make just as many reliable payment methods available like Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, as well as Visa and Mastercard. They could probably afford to add a few more cryptos and BetNow promos, if we are being honest.

As we mentioned, the sportsbook at BetNow is by no means massive, with around 20+ sports. You may not find all the beloved teams out of Costa Rica to bet on, but there is still a decent range of international events to bet on, like the FIFA World Cup, Copa America, and the Euros.

What BetNow does do better than most sites is give users the chance to use a superb prop betting tool. You can pick and choose prop markets from the same event to create same-game parlays, multi-bets, and more. They also have easy-to-use cashout features where you can salvage your bet to mitigate your losses or cash out a portion of your winnings before someone scores a last-minute equalizer.

BetNow sports bonus:

5. Everygame – Competitive Soccer Outright Markets

When you head to the Everygame platform, you’ll have four options in front of you between their two casinos, an online poker section, and sportsbook. Once you choose the sportsbook, you are taken into a world of betting possibilities. Everygame’s sportsbook is one of the top sports betting sites in Costa Rica, thanks to the secure payment methods, 24/7 support, and fantastic Everygame betting promos that also include some handy soccer odds boosters.

If soccer betting is your thing, then Everygame might be where you want to set down some roots. They have super competitive odds and a ton of markets to choose from. Fans from the Rich Coast can pick and choose from the best outrights, prop markets, over/under, handicaps, and more.

Whether you are betting on Los Ticos, your favorite teams from the Liga Promerica, or the best international leagues, you’ll have all the options you need at your fingertips. Plus, the prematch markets we found were impressive, but their live markets were just as good. The markets also shifted quickly, but once you get the hang of it, you quickly start to see just how good their live betting options are.

Everygame sports bonus:

Comparing The Best Costa Rica Sports Betting Sites

The best offshore sportsbooks in Costa Rica can only call themselves the best if they have enough useful betting features for you to make use of. Let’s check out what you can find with the ten sites we reviewed.

How We Rank The Best Costa Rica Sports Betting Sites

You have probably seen for yourself just how many sportsbooks are available in the country. There are sites popping up every other day, so how on earth are you supposed to know where to even start? Well, that’s where we come in.

Our team covers all of these sites with a fine tooth comb to see where they both shine and fall short. These are the factors that decide how we rank gambling sites in Costa Rica.

1. Safety: Our goal is, first and foremost, to make sure that the safest betting sites are secure for you to bet with. We analyze the security software they use to encrypt user accounts and the gambling licenses that they are operating under.
2. Deposit & Payout Methods: The deposit and payout methods available make all the difference in how easily you can get your cash in and out of these platforms. We take a closer look at the available methods, how quickly these operators process your withdrawals, and what their deposit and withdrawal limits are.
3. Costa Rica Sports Betting Bonuses & Promotions: There are usually some exciting bonuses and betting promos to claim on these sites. Our job is to review how and what you can claim and to check how fair the terms of each offer are.
4. Range of Sports: You will want to have the option of betting on everything from soccer to volleyball with the best Costa Rica sportsbooks. Our team checks out what the range of sports is like on these sites, making sure they cover both the popular options and the more niche sports.
5. Depth of Markets: Just betting on match winners is no fun, at least not all the time. That’s why it’s important that we review the range of other markets you can choose from. From the best prop markets to the live betting options, we cover everything they have to offer.
6. Quality of Sports Betting Odds: The odds on these sites should become available as early as possible, and they should, at the very least, match the industry average. Furthermore, users should be able to switch between odds formats from Moneyline to fractional.
7. Mobile Interface: These platforms should make it easy for you to create your account, make your first deposit, and place your bets. Everything should flow seamlessly both with the desktop site and the mobile site. We rigorously test out the platform functionality of these sites to make sure they run smoothly.
8. Customer Service: Punters should be able to reach out to customer support on these sites at any time with top 24/7 coverage. Not only that, but they should have a number of contact methods to use as well. We review the quality of these services and the ways in which you can reach out to them.

Types of Bonuses at Costa Rica Online Sportsbooks

Something that the best offshore Costa Rica sports betting sites do better than most of the regulated platforms in the country offers you far superior bonuses and promotions. The platforms in our top 10 all have stellar betting promo offers that you can grab when you sign up or when you continue to play on their sites. Here’s what you can expect to find.

1. Sportsbook welcome offers: The first offer you can get when you are through the doors is the sportsbook welcome bonuses. These sportsbook welcome offers can give you anything from deposit match offers to free bet bonuses. For example, you could claim a 200% deposit match up to $2,000.
2. No deposit bonuses: A rather elusive offer, the no deposit bonus can give you free cash to bet with. They are never that big, usually coming in $20 to $25 sizes. Still, they are free, which is always great.
3. Cashback promos: If you plan on sticking around on these sites and betting frequently, then a cashback promo is going to serve you well. These offers will give you a percentage back on your net losses. So, if you had a rough week of betting, the cashback promo will be there to soften the blow.
4. Free bets: A free bet offer is kind of like betting insurance. You can claim a free bet promo usually after you have made a qualifying bet. Once that qualifying bet settles, win or lose, your account is credited with the free bet offer.

Best Costa Rica Online Sportsbooks Bonuses Comparison

Now that you have an idea of what sports betting promos can look like, here are some of the offers you can claim right now at the best Costa Rica sports betting sites in our guide.

Popular Payment Methods at Costa Rica Online Sportsbooks

You will be able to transact with ease with our top 10 list of the best Costa Rica sports betting sites, as most of them have a variety of payment methods you can use. These are the banking options you can usually make use of.

1. Cryptocurrencies: You will always find some reliable coins to choose from with the best crypto betting sites. That’s because crypto is the most effective way to fund your account these days, with instant deposits and withdrawals and little to no fees.
2. Credit/Debit Cards: If you prefer more traditional methods, you can still access methods like Visa and Mastercard. They have longer processing times, but these sites allow you to use methods you are comfortable with.
3. Bank Transfers: If you don’t mind the longer wait times, then you can use the bank transfer options with these Costa Rica sports betting sites.
4. eWallets: They are quite rare with offshore sportsbooks, but you may be able to deposit and withdraw with methods like Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal.

How to Get Started at a Costa Rica Sports Betting Site

Getting your account opened with a reliable offshore sportsbook like BetOnline can be done in a few minutes tops. Here’s what the steps look like on your way to placing your first bet.

Step 1: Stop In At BetOnline

Head over to the BetOnline sportsbook with your browser.

Step 2: Select Join Now & Create Your Account

When you land on the homepage, select the “Join” option. This will bring up the registration page, where you’ll need to fill in some info like your name, email, and password. This will then bring up another page where you’ll need to fill in your address, zip code, etc. Once you have everything down, create your account.

Step 3: Make A Deposit

BetOnline will then save you the trouble by taking you straight to the deposit page. Here, you can choose from their list of methods. Choose an option you want to use and enter how much you’d like to deposit.

Step 4: Claim Your Bonus

When you are completing your deposit, be sure to enter the FREE250 bonus code to access their free bet welcome offer for sports betting.

Step 5: Start Betting

Now, you are ready to start your betting journey with a superb sportsbook.

Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a vibrant community of sports fans that follow a variety of different events. That said, these are some of the most popular sports to bet on with top Costa Rica sports betting sites.

1. Soccer: Soccer is the number one sport in Costa Rica, without a doubt. Dedicated fans follow Los Ticos and the best teams from the Primera División.
2. Volleyball: Beach volleyball in particular, which is a common pastime in coastal areas, is a closely followed sport and one that you can bet on with the best Costa Rica sports betting sites.
3. Basketball: This sport has a significant following, particularly in the more urban areas. Local basketball leagues bring in more betting action than you might think as well.
4. Surfing: Costa Rica is renowned for its surf spots, and the sport has a global following. It may not be the biggest sport to bet on, but surfing still draws enough attention to online sportsbooks.
5. Cycling: With scenic routes and professional athletes like Andrey Amador making waves internationally, cycling is another sport that attracts Costa Rican punters.
6. Baseball: Baseball has a solid fanbase that seems to only be growing larger in the Rich Coast.

Discover Our Expert Picks Based on Your Favorite Sports

Popular Type of Bets at Costa Rica Online Sportsbooks

If you are keen to start betting with the best Costa Rica sports betting sites, then these are the markets to take into consideration, as they are the most popular.

1. Moneyline: If you want to just bet on who you think will win a match, then moneyline betting is the way to go.
2. Spread betting: You can make things more interesting by betting on the spread. For example, you could bet on the favorite team to win by more than five or the underdog to lose within 5.
3. Parlays: This is a bet where you can combine multiple different markets into one bet. If one of your markets fails, your whole parlay bet fails. That said, the payouts are much, much bigger on average.
4. Over/Under: Bet on whether you think there is going to be more or less than a set number by the sportsbook. For example, you could bet on Los Ticos scoring more than 2.5 goals in their match against Bolivia.
5. Prop Bets: These are markets that relate to specific events in a match. For example, will Messi score the first goal? Will Mbappe score more than two goals?
6. Live Bets: You can place bets on live matches. The markets and odds shift quickly so you have to make your selections at speed.

Betting Apps & Mobile Sites for Sports Betting in Costa Rica

There may not be many Costa Rica betting apps for you to download from the sites in our list (barring CoinPoker) but you can still place bets with your mobile device. All of these sites have optimized their platforms to run perfectly with mobile browsers, so you are still free to place bets on the biggest events while you’re on the go.

Retail Sports Betting Locations in Costa Rica

The retail sports betting options in the Rich Coast are limited to tourists in the country, as locals can’t make use of legal sports betting options.

That said, if you are a tourist in the country, we suggest checking out Casino Concorde in San José, Bally’s Black Hawk North Casino, Bally’s Black Hawk West Casino & Casino Amapola in Provincia de Puntarenas, Jacó.

Other Betting and Gambling Options in Costa Rica

These are the other betting options in Costa Rica, at least to select visitors in the country.

1. Retail casinos: You can find retail casinos and hotels, but they are strictly for tourists.
2. Online casinos: There are online casinos, but not available to local residents.
3. Poker: You can find poker rooms in casino-based hotels, but again, these will only be available to tourists.
4. Bingo Halls: There does seem to be a decent selection of bingo halls in the country. You can play social for cash prizes.
5. Fantasy Sports: There are fantasy daily sports in Costa Rica through sportsbooks that locals can’t access.

Responsible Gambling in Costa Rica

Your goal when using the best Costa Rica sports betting sites is to have fun with it. That said, don’t let all that fun overshadow that you need to forget gambling responsibly. Try to only bet what you are comfortable using and bet within a larger budget that you have set for yourself as well. You can generally access responsible gambling with the sites in our guide, where you can receive some help if you think you might be betting just a little too much.

Conclusion: Best Costa Rica Sportsbook

After reviewing all the sports and features, we have come to the conclusion that BetOnline remains top dog when it comes to the best Costa Rica sports betting sites. They have a super sportsbook that is easy to navigate, all the sports you could ever hope to bet on, plus features like BetTV and their live streaming options.

Costa Rica Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Costa Rica?

Yes. However, it is not legal to local residents in the country so it’s a bit of an odd situation. That is why we suggest that local Costa Rican betting fans should check out our list of the best offshore Costa Rica sports betting sites.

Is online sports betting legal in Costa Rica?

Yes, but as with retail betting, local residents are not able to take advantage of online sites.

Are offshore betting sites legal in CO?

Yes. Even though they operate outside of the regulations of Costa Rica, these sites are still legal to use.

What are the best Costa Rica sportsbooks?

BetOnline is your best bet for sports betting in Costa Rica.

Is it safe to bet on sports online in CO?

Yes, when you use the top sites in our guide, you are more than safe to start betting.

Can I use a VPN for sports betting in Costa Rica?

Yes, if you prefer to do so, you can.