Imagine sitting at home, spinning the reels of your favorite slot game or trying your luck at blackjack, all while feeling confident that you’re playing at a safe online casino. That’s the dream of online gambling—but finding a trustworthy casino can be tricky. Costa Rica is a popular spot for online casinos because of its relaxed rules and low costs. But what exactly is a Costa Rica gambling license, and should you trust it? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know: what this “license” really is, how to check if a brand is legit, which countries are allowed, and which brands from your list are registered there. We’ll also look at whether they accept UK and US players and share tips to help you gamble safely in 2025. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, this article will help you navigate casino online Costa Rica.

What is the Costa Rica Gambling License?

When you hear about a Costa Rica gambling license, don’t picture a strict document like you’d get from Malta or the UK. It’s not really a license in the usual sense—it’s more of a business registration. Online brands set up shop in Costa Rica as regular companies, often pretending to be “data processing firms,” and they can offer gambling services worldwide, as long as they don’t let Costa Rican locals play (since online gambling is illegal for residents there).

This chart compares different licensing jurisdictions across key factors. Costa Rica excels in affordability and flexibility but scores lower on player protection. More regulated jurisdictions like the UK offer stronger player protections but at higher costs and with more restrictions.

Why do brands love this setup? It’s simple: Costa Rica (CR) has super low requirements and costs. There are no big licensing fees or complicated audits to deal with. But there’s a catch—less regulation means less oversight, so players need to be extra careful. Costa Rica is a stable country, part of the OECD, and isn’t on any financial risk lists by the FATF, which makes it a solid place for businesses to set up (Gofaizen & Sherle).

How to Verify a Casino’s Registration

Since Costa Rica doesn’t have an official gambling regulator, checking if a casino is actually registered there takes a bit of effort. Here’s how you can do it:

• Look at the Casino’s Website: Check the “About Us” page, “Terms and Conditions,” or the footer for any mention of CR. They might list a company name like a Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL), a registration number, or an address in San José.
• Read Trusted Reviews: Websites like AskGamblers or Casino Guru often mention where a brand is registered.
• Check the Company: See if the brand is run by a company registered in Costa Rica. You can sometimes find this through business directories or reviews.

For example, Slotmonster and Incognito are registered in Costa Rica under EOD Code SRL (Corporate ID No. 3-101-910497), as confirmed by sources like Sistersites.bet. But since there’s no public registry for gambling companies in Costa Rica (they’re just treated as regular businesses), you’ll need to rely on the casino’s transparency and player reviews.

Requirements for Operators

Setting up an online brand in CR is pretty straightforward, and the rules are more about running a business than regulating gambling. Here’s what operators need to do:

1. Register a Company: They need to set up a legal entity with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Economy. This involves submitting some paperwork, like the company’s Articles of Incorporation, and naming a legal representative (Slotegrator).
2. Block Local Players: Brands must use IP-blocking to stop Costa Rican residents from playing, since online gambling is illegal for them.
3. Follow Basic Laws: Operators need to stick to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) rules, but these are less strict than in places like the UK (Global Law Experts).
4. Have a Local Presence (Sometimes): Some operators set up a small office in Costa Rica, but it’s not always required (Fast Offshore).

There are no licensing fees or mandatory software checks, which makes it easy for new casinos to get started—but it also means there’s less oversight to ensure they’re playing fair.

Allowed and Restricted Countries

Casinos registered in CR can operate in most places where online gambling isn’t banned. That includes a lot of European countries, Canada, Australia, and parts of Asia. But there are some limits:

• CR is Off-Limits: They have to block local IP addresses to keep residents from playing.
• Other Restrictions: Some brands choose to block countries with tough gambling laws, like certain US states, France, or the Netherlands, to avoid legal trouble (Mr. Gamble).

If you’re in the UK or US, you’ll need to check the brand’s rules to see if they accept players from your country—it varies depending on the operator.

Which Casinos Are Registered in Costa Rica?

Out of the 17 casinos, only Incognito Casino, Winzter Casino, and 1Red Casino are confirmed to be registered in Costa Rica. Incognito is tied to EOD Code SRL, Winzter operates through Rabocse Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, and 1Red is registered via FEBONARA EMPIRE S.R.L. However, all three hold gaming licenses from other jurisdictions (Curaçao, Anjouan, or Costa Rica) for added regulation. The rest of the brands are licensed elsewhere, mostly in Curaçao or Anjouan, or lack a confirmed license.

Casino Name	Costa Rica Registration?	License Jurisdiction	Accepts UK Players?	Accepts US Players?
Incognito	Yes	Curaçao	Yes	No
Winzter	Yes	Anjouan	Yes	No
1Red	Yes	Costa Rica	Yes	No
Mad	No	Anjouan	Likely	Likely
Seven	No	Curaçao (CIL)	Yes	Unlikely
Gxmble	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
Prive	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
Winstler	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
Lucki	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
ZoloBet	No	Anjouan	Likely	Likely
Tikitaka	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
BonRush	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
Basswin	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
GoldenMister	No	No License	Yes	No
LuckyMister	No	No License	Yes	No
Magic Win	No	Curaçao	Yes	No
Spins Heaven	No	Curaçao	Yes	No

Casinos Registered in Costa Rica

Incognito: Started in May 2024, this brand focuses on player privacy. It’s registered through EOD Code SRL and licensed by Curaçao, with over 3,000 games, including table games and a sportsbook. It accepts UK players but not US players.

Winzter: Registered in Costa Rica through Rabocse Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, it holds an Anjouan iGaming license (3-102-904216). It offers slots, table games, and sports betting, accepting UK players but not US players.

1Red: Registered in Costa Rica through FEBONARA EMPIRE S.R.L., it has a license from the government of Costa Rica (registration number 3-102904721). It offers a wide range of games and bonuses, accepting UK players but not US players.

Casinos with Other Licenses

Mad: Licensed by Anjouan, launched in 2025. It likely accepts both UK and US players, but you should double-check with the brand.

Seven (CGL) launched in 2023. It accepts UK players but probably not US players due to Curaçao restrictions.

Gxmble (CGL) offers a variety of games and accepts UK players but not US players.

Prive (CGL) provides a selection of casino games and accepts UK players but not US players.

Winstler (CGL) features slots and table games, accepting UK players but not US players.

Lucki (CGL) offers a range of online casino games and accepts UK players but not US players.

Tikitaka (CGL) includes sports betting and casino games, accepting UK players but not US players.

BonRush (CGL) provides casino games and bonuses, accepting UK players but not US players.

Basswin (CGL) offers a variety of gaming options and accepts UK players but not US players.

ZoloBet: Licensed by Anjouan, launched in 2024. It likely accepts both UK and US players.

GoldenMister: No confirmed license, which raises red flags. It accepts UK players but not US players (Trustpilot).

LuckyMister: No confirmed license, which raises red flags. It accepts UK players but not US players (Trustpilot).

Magic Win: Licensed by Curaçao eGaming, it offers a variety of games and bonuses. It accepts UK players but not US players.

Spins Heaven (CGL) provides a selection of games with attractive bonuses. It accepts UK players but not US players.

This chart shows the distribution of licensing jurisdictions among the 15 casinos mentioned in the article. Only 3 casinos have CR registration, and all of them also hold additional licenses from either Curaçao or Anjouan.

Pros and Cons of Costa Rica-Registered Casinos

Pros:

• Affordable for Operators: No licensing fees mean brands can offer bigger bonuses or better odds.
• Global Access: They can operate in most countries where gambling isn’t banned.
• Game Variety: Less regulation lets them offer all kinds of games, from slots to live dealer tables.
• Crypto-Friendly: Many accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for quick, secure payments.

Cons:

• Less Oversight: Without a regulator, there’s a higher risk of shady practices.
• Limited Player Protection: If something goes wrong, resolving disputes can be tough.
• Potential for Scams: Low entry barriers might attract less reputable operators.
• Payment Restrictions: Some traditional payment methods, like credit cards, might not be available.

How to Choose a Safe Online Casino

Here’s how to make sure you’re playing at a casino you can trust:

• Check Registration and Licensing: Look for clear info about where the casino is registered or licensed. Even if it’s in CR, a secondary license (like Curaçao) adds credibility.
• Read Reviews: Check out what other players say on sites like Casino Guru or AskGamblers.
• Look for Certifications: Casinos with certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) are more likely to be fair.
• Use Secure Payments: Stick to trusted methods like Visa, Skrill, or crypto to keep your money safe.
• Test Customer Support: Reach out via live chat or email to see how responsive they are before you deposit.
• Play Responsibly: Set limits on how much you deposit and how long you play to keep things fun and under control.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the CR gambling license legit?
   It’s not a true license—it’s a business registration that lets brands offer gambling services. Whether it’s trustworthy depends on the casino itself.
2. Are Costa Rica-registered casinos safe?
   Some are safe, but you need to check their reputation, security measures (like SSL encryption), and player reviews.
3. Can I trust these brands?
   Trust casinos with a good track record, transparent info, and positive feedback from players.
4. Do Costa Rica casinos accept US players?
   Some might, but many don’t because of complicated US laws. Always check the casino’s terms.
5. What should I do if I have a problem with a casino?
   First, contact their support team. If that doesn’t work, you can reach out to independent bodies like eCOGRA for help.

Conclusion

The Costa Rica gambling license offers a low-cost, flexible way for online casinos to operate, but it comes with risks due to minimal regulation. From your list, Slotmonster Casino, Incognito Casino, and Winzter Casino are registered in Costa Rica and are good options for UK players, though they don’t accept US players. Always verify a casino’s registration, read reviews, and play responsibly to ensure a fun and safe experience in 2025. Good luck—may the odds be in your favor!