First casinos in Costa Rica
How Costa Rica's casino scene was born: early gaming parlors at historic San Jose hotels, 1980s "trailblazers" (Casino Club Colonial), 1990s expansion (Hotel Del Rey) and evolution to compact hotel-casino.
Learn more →Gambling in Costa Rica has a long history dating back to the middle of the 20th century, when the first lotteries and card clubs appeared.
With the development of tourism, casinos became part of urban culture and resort recreation.
Thanks to liberal legislation, the country has become a pioneer of online gambling in Latin America: hundreds of international operators and IT companies are registered here.
Excitement in Costa Rica is perceived as an element of entertainment and entrepreneurship, and the flexible policies of the state have turned the country into a symbol of technological freedom and a responsible approach to the gaming industry.
How Costa Rica's casino scene was born: early gaming parlors at historic San Jose hotels, 1980s "trailblazers" (Casino Club Colonial), 1990s expansion (Hotel Del Rey) and evolution to compact hotel-casino.
Learn more →How Costa Ricans perceive gambling: everyday JPS lotteries and charity bingo, a calm "hotel-casino" scene in cities and on the coast, skepticism about online without a local license, the influence of tourism, religion and family values, as well as challenges to responsible play.
Learn more →How ecotourism, beach holidays, congress tourism and cruise routes are shaping demand for Costa Rica's casinos and entertainment complexes; the impact of tourist flows on revenue, employment, gambling hall formats and industry prospects.
Learn more →How gambling is reflected in everyday life and popular culture in Costa Rica: language and folklore, music and TV, sports and fan culture, tourism and hotel casinos, digital habits and discussions about responsibility.
Learn more →As tourists and expats from the United States, American sports leagues and payment habits shape the demand structure, marketing, product line and compliance of Costa Rica's casinos and entertainment venues - from offline hotels to online ecosystems and outsourcing.
Learn more →