Costa Rica: Commission Approves Gaming Legislation Modernization
The Social Protection Board (JPS) obtained a key endorsement this week in its effort to modernize gaming regulations in Costa Rica. The Security and Narcotics Commission of the Legislative Assembly approved the text of Bill 25.057, an initiative aimed at strengthening state controls and updating a legal framework that has been in place for over half a century.
The JPS had requested Congress to prioritize the file, arguing that the current law has gaps that have allowed the growth of unauthorized activities. After its review in committee, the bill received technical and legal adjustments from legislative advisors, which, according to the entity, improves the precision of the articles and reinforces the original proposal.
Next steps in the legislative process
With committee approval, the bill now moves on to the mandatory consultations established by Costa Rican regulations. Various institutions from the justice sector and economic authorities must issue opinions before the initiative can return to committee for a report.
The JPS emphasized that this update is “indispensable to close legal gaps that facilitate the operation of unauthorized games,” especially in the digital environment.
What does Bill 25.057 include?
The text incorporates for the first time digital platforms, mobile applications, and electronic systems within the country's legal framework, a measure designed to confront the expansion of online gaming without state authorization.
Likewise, it introduces the figure of the “enabling title”, a formal permit that regulated operators must obtain and that will establish clear guidelines for supervision, inspection, and control.
The proposal remains under analysis in the Permanent Security and Narcotics Commission, where it is expected to advance toward its report in the coming weeks.
Tags: Costa Rica, Costa Rica betting regulation, Bill Project 25.057