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Legality of offline casinos (Costa Rica)
Brief conclusion
In Costa Rica, offline casinos are allowed and function legally, mainly as small-scale hotel rooms. Regulation is decentralized: instead of one "casino law," there is a set of general rules - municipal permits for commercial activities and entertainment, sanitary and fire safety standards, labor and tax legislation, as well as AML/CFT requirements for casinos as "obligated entities." For visitors, the basic principles are simple: 18 +, checking a document in doubt, transparent rules for games and payments.
How the legal framework works
1) Permissive circuit
Municipal permits. Casinos receive local patents/business licenses and entertainment services (often as a hotel game hall). Municipalities also set basic working conditions (hours, noise, outdoor advertising on site).
Sectoral alignments. Mandatory compliance with sanitation and safety standards (control of the Ministry of Health and Fire Service); employment contracts and schedules - under employment law; cash registers and accounting - according to the requirements of the Ministry of Finance/tax.
Hotel format. Historically, most facilities are integrated into hotels (San José and resorts): this reduces risk and makes it easier to control the flow of guests.
2) What's allowed on the floor
Tables: European roulette, blackjack, poker (cash/tournaments) - according to the internal rules of the hall.
Slot machines (slots) and video bingo. All sets are subject to inventory and maintenance.
Cash and currency. Calculations are usually in CRC or USD (if the object works with foreigners); course and commissions are posted publicly.
3) Age and access
18 + is an industry standard. Staff are obliged to refuse minors and persons without a document if in doubt.
Dress code and entrance. Established by the institution itself; rules are visible at the input.
Taxes, Reporting and Compliance
Taxes
Casinos are ordinary taxpayers: corporate income tax, VAT/service tax (where applicable), local fees/patents to the municipality.
Additional licensing/administrative fees are charged for the right to conduct entertainment activities (their size depends on the municipality and category of business).
AML/CFT
Casinos refer to "obligated entities":- KYC for large transactions/payments and for suspicious transactions;
- monitoring and recording of operations above thresholds;
- personnel training, record storage and video surveillance;
- reporting to the competent authorities for signs of money laundering/terrorist financing.
- Non-compliance threatens fines, suspension of work and additional tax checks.
Advertising, responsibility and consumer protection
Advertising and promo should be moderate, without promises of "easy money," marked 18 +. External signage/light panels are consistent with the municipality/building administration.
Responsible play. A good tone is considered: visible 18 + warnings, risk information cards, self-restraint/self-exclusion on request, publication of table/minimum/payment rules, clear SLA for cashouts (deadlines and documents).
Smoking and noise. There are national norms banning smoking in closed public places and noise restrictions - they are fined for violations.
What inspectors check (practice)
Valid municipal patents and receipts for fees.
Compliance with sanitary/fire regulations and availability of emergency exits.
Cash discipline, journals of operations, correctness of checks.
KYC/AML procedures: threshold forms, staff training, video storage.
Marking of rules: age control, minimals/maximals, rules for payments and complaints.
Risks and responsibilities
Work without municipal permission, non-compliance with hours, noise restrictions and sanitary standards - fines and closure.
Ignoring AML procedures - large fines and blocking operations.
Violations of labor/tax laws - additional charges and sanctions.
Consumer complaints (delayed payments, opaque bonuses) - prescriptions from supervisors and consumer protection.
For Owner/Hotel: Launch checklist
1. Legal entity and address → municipal patents (commerce + entertainment).
2. Hall design → coordination with firefighters/sanitation; cameras, safe, evacuation plans.
3. Policies and regulations: rules of games, box office, payments, complaints; a book of complaints is available to guests.
4. AML/KYC package: threshold amounts, forms, personnel training, responsible officer, internal control plan.
5. HR and schedules: employment contracts, night shifts, rest and training of dealers/cashiers.
6. Finance/taxes: cash registers, tax accounting, acquiring agreement (if necessary), work with USD (exchange rate policy).
7. Communication: 18 + plates, table/minimum wage rules, SLA payments; bilingual materials (ES/EN) for tourist areas.
For the player: how to understand that the casino is "white"
At the entrance and at the cash register there are permits and current licenses/patents.
You can see the rules of games, minimals/maximals, the order of payments and documents for large amounts.
The staff calmly reacts to the request to show the book of complaints and checklists.
On large payments, ID verification is correctly carried out - this is the norm, not suspicion.
Frequent questions
Are land-based casinos legal in Costa Rica?
Yes I did. This is a permitted activity when fulfilling municipal, sanitary, tax and AML requirements.
Age to enter?
18+. The document can be requested at any time.
Is it possible to open without a hotel?
Perhaps, but more difficult in terms of threads and permissions; historically, most casinos operate at hotels where it is easier to comply with regulations and provide service.
Who is the "main" regulator?
There is no single "casino regulator"; supervision consists of the municipality (patents/rules of the place), the Ministry of Health/fire service (safety), the Ministry of Finance/tax (taxes/accounting) and AML/TF authorities (AML).
Offline casinos in Costa Rica are a legal and socially accepted format of evening leisure, especially in the capital and resort areas. Their legal regime is a "mosaic" of permissions and general laws, not one special act. For businesses, the key to sustainable work is municipal patents, strict AML/KYC, transparent rules for games and payments, tax and labor discipline. For the guest - 18 +, document, visible rules and reasonable expectations. This configuration maintains the country's reputation as a welcoming and service market for land-based casinos.