Hello BitFlix,
According to Costa Rica's basic legal structure, people cannot do only what is expressly prohibited by law.
There are no rules prohibiting on-line gaming or requiring a licence for these activities.
Due to the large number of sports-books in the country, the government has created a tax for companies that have local operations based on the number of people they hire.
http://www.asamblea.go.cr/Centro_de_informacion/biblioteca/Centro_Dudas/Lists/Formule%20su%20pregunta/Attachments/900/Ley%209050-casinos.pdf
The banks in Costa Rica do have a stronger position when dealing with funds from the gambling industry. They could restrain from opening bank accounts or could close accounts if found to be related to casino activities.
Therefore, the best arrangement is to have have your server's hosted in Costa Rica, but all other operations in a different jurisdiction.
Costa Rica's tax structure is based on the territorial principle. Therefore if a specific company is acting outside of Costa Rica, they are not affected by Costa Rica's tax regulations. To resume: If no income comes into Costa Rica, no taxes are due in Costa Rica.
I hope this clears up the issue a bit, but let me know if you have further questions.
Regards,
According to Costa Rica's basic legal structure, people cannot do only what is expressly prohibited by law.
There are no rules prohibiting on-line gaming or requiring a licence for these activities.
Due to the large number of sports-books in the country, the government has created a tax for companies that have local operations based on the number of people they hire.
http://www.asamblea.go.cr/Centro_de_informacion/biblioteca/Centro_Dudas/Lists/Formule%20su%20pregunta/Attachments/900/Ley%209050-casinos.pdf
The banks in Costa Rica do have a stronger position when dealing with funds from the gambling industry. They could restrain from opening bank accounts or could close accounts if found to be related to casino activities.
Therefore, the best arrangement is to have have your server's hosted in Costa Rica, but all other operations in a different jurisdiction.
Costa Rica's tax structure is based on the territorial principle. Therefore if a specific company is acting outside of Costa Rica, they are not affected by Costa Rica's tax regulations. To resume: If no income comes into Costa Rica, no taxes are due in Costa Rica.
I hope this clears up the issue a bit, but let me know if you have further questions.
Regards,
Wow, that is pretty amazing. That seems like paradise for a bitcoin business.
This is the same reason a lot of online poker companies set up shop in Costa Rica. There and Panama, I believe.
The cost of a gaming licence in Panama will break your bank:
http://www.slogold.net/panama_online_gaming_license.html
"Panama adopted regulations governing the licensing of electronic games of chance and wagering activities in late 2002. The regulations allow master licenses to be granted that are valid for up to seven years upon payment of a license fee of USD $40,000."
