Costa Rica’s gambling sector remains in flux as gaming continues to expand across the region
Efforts to update Costa Rica’s gambling laws hit a setback in early 2026 after lawmakers rejected a key reform proposal. Bill No. 25,057, designed to modernize oversight of games of chance, failed to clear an important legislative hurdle.
The proposal was voted down by the Security and Narcotics Commission of the Legislative Assembly. The committee rejected the bill by a 5–3 vote, reversing its earlier position from November 2025, when the same group had supported the measure.
Because of the negative vote, the bill now moves forward with an unfavorable recommendation. Lawmakers in the full Legislative Plenary will decide whether the proposal continues through the process or is ultimately shelved. While the bill is not officially dead, the path forward is now far more difficult.
Supporters of the legislation, including Costa Rica’s Joint Social Protection Board (JPS), argued the reform was long overdue. They said current gambling laws are more than 50 years old and fail to address modern gaming operations, especially online platforms.
According to JPS, outdated rules have allowed unauthorized gambling activity to grow with limited oversight. The bill aimed to close legal gaps, strengthen enforcement tools, and bring the country’s framework in line with current economic and technological conditions.
The commission itself was split. Lawmakers Gilberth Jiménez, Pilar Cisneros, and Horacio Alvarado backed the bill, calling it a necessary update. However, a majority voted against it, and no detailed explanation for their opposition was included in the final report.
The rejection leaves uncertainty for Costa Rica’s gambling sector at a time when gaming continues to expand across the region. Neighboring countries have moved ahead with clearer regulations, while Costa Rica remains divided on how tightly the industry should be controlled.
