With scores of tourists visiting each year, Costa Rica is tapping into the potential of the gaming industry to keep its guests entertained and its economy growing.
In fact, Casino News reports that a $400-million casino resort is set to be built this year, which will feature three hotels, three gaming centers, and even a heliport, among others.
In the meantime, both visitors and locals are enjoying the growing online gaming options in the country — an impressive feat, considering that Costa Rica has one of the slowest internet connections in the world. Here, we will talk about why online gaming is thriving in this Central American country, and what exactly draws people from all over the world to try it.
A variety of choices
We previously touted Costa Rica’s online slot gaming options in our article on ‘Reasons Why People Visiting Costa Rica Prefer Online Slots Over The Land-Based Kinds’, citing how it may not be the easiest task to look for a physical slot machine in the country. Even when you think you’ve found the right place, it’s entirely possible that it’s not the kind of slot machine you like or will win you a lot of money.
Online gaming has made it possible for players to find exactly what they want from the convenience of their hotels, and it’s not just slot machines either. Games like blackjack, bingo, poker, and even scratch cards are all accessible through online casinos today.
Ease of access
Most land-based casinos in Costa Rica are located near the capital city of San Jose, which makes them inaccessible or difficult to get to from other parts of the country. Even when they do, players usually find themselves on a quiet gaming floor with a minimal selection. This makes a lot of tourists choose online gaming instead and play on their smartphones or laptops through casino apps and websites.
Lax regulations
Compared to online gaming in Costa Rica, Americans are less inclined to try the online scene in their own country, as they are used to traveling long distances to land-based casinos like those in Las Vegas. Their laws and regulations also make it clear that gaming is not allowed in most other states. This is in stark contrast to countries in Asia, where regulations are a little less straightforward.
Digital gaming portal Expatbets provides in-depth online gaming guides to countries like Vietnam and Malaysia, where large casinos don’t always mean lax online gaming laws for locals, as well as nations like Japan and Thailand, which limit online gaming activities to sports betting and lotteries.
These different approaches in Asia can sometimes make it difficult for tourists to determine what the rules are, and can be a turn off for gaming enthusiasts. On the other hand, Costa Rica does not have the same kind of strict regulations and allows for companies to set up online and land-based casinos, making it a prime location for online gaming.
Overall, the flexible regulations, number of options, and convenience are making the online gaming scene boom in Costa Rica.
There’s no doubt that the popularity of mobile casinos and continuous support from investors will continue to grow and attract players from around the world. Of course, tourists are finding the allure of a beachfront hotel in a country with flexible gaming laws, breathtaking sights, and hospitable people irresistible.
