Costa Rica has entered another phase of debate over Bill 25.057, a proposal intended to reshape gambling oversight after decades under an older regulatory structure. The renewed discussion stems from repeated warnings by the Social Protection Board that illegal operators have taken advantage of gaps in the existing framework, which has remained largely unchanged for more than fifty years. Regulators argue that this situation has allowed unauthorized lotteries, sports betting products and online gambling offerings to form a parallel market operating without meaningful supervision.
The institution overseeing the national lottery explained that the current regulatory model, rooted in Law 8718, relies on a structure created long before digital betting became common. Officials said that a lack of updated tools has weakened official distribution channels and created space for illegal operators to develop systems that divert participation away from regulated games and reduce funds destined for public health and social programs.
Supervisors Warn About Criminal Activity and Revenue Loss
The Social Protection Board has told legislators that illegal gambling is no longer limited to isolated operations. The agency stated that unregulated activity has grown into a market where clandestine lotteries, unlicensed online platforms and unauthorized sports betting circulate with limited barriers. According to the institution, this has produced vulnerabilities that criminal groups linked to illegal gambling can use to their advantage. Officials maintain that these actors compete directly with the formal channels used to support social initiatives.
Both articles highlight the board’s consistent message: the longer the outdated framework remains in place, the easier it becomes for illicit networks to expand. The board has also pointed to the risk of money laundering tied to criminal groups, noting that illegal gambling “competes with the official gambling channels set up under Law 8718 and undermines revenue for public health and social programs.”
Proposed Licensing Structure and Digital Requirements
Bill 25.057 outlines a more extensive regulatory structure. It introduces licensing for all operators and incorporates rules covering digital platforms, mobile apps and electronic systems. These additions respond to the emergence of online betting outlets that developed outside the scope of earlier statutes. Officials believe these measures represent the core of a more complete model that can strengthen oversight and improve enforcement.
The proposal entered the Legislative Assembly in June with support from more than ten lawmakers. Regulators stated that the new requirements would help close oversight gaps and provide tools to respond to modern gambling activity. The Social Protection Board argued that such changes are necessary because the law has not kept pace with shifts in technology or player behavior.
Legislative Review and Possible Amendments
Lawmakers are currently evaluating the bill in the Permanent Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking. The committee may introduce amendments before the proposal progresses to the plenary for its first vote. If the assembly approves it, the reform would become the most significant update to Costa Rica’s gambling rules in decades, marking a shift from a long-standing analog structure to a system that incorporates digital oversight and a defined licensing process.
The two articles agree that the country’s current position mirrors broader concerns about unregulated gambling across the region. For Costa Rica, the stakes center on restoring the integrity of its regulated system and reinforcing the public programs funded through authorized gambling revenue. Legislators now face growing pressure to decide whether Bill 25.057 will move forward and determine how the country handles illegal gambling networks in the future.
Source:
Costa Rican lawmakers urged to tighten gambling laws, completeigaming.com, 28 November 2025.
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