Infamous Hotel Del Rey in Costa Rica Shut Down: Was a Landmark in Sportsbook World

It's the end of an institution.  The Hotel Del Rey has been shuttered by the Costa Rican government.  Anyone who has visited the sportsbook haven of San Jose, Costa Rica knows the spot well.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Fallout From Costa Rica Raids Continues

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Absolute Poker Head of Customer Service Arrested Earlier This Week

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Strong Earthquakes Hits Online Gambling Hub of Costa Rica: Some Damage Reported

(Associated Press) SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) —A magnitude-6 earthquake shook the capital city of Costa Rica on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was felt strongly in San Jose but there were no immediate reports damage or injuries, said Juan de Dios Castillo, spokesman for Seismological and Volcanic Institute. He said there were reports of fallen objects but none of major damages to buildings.

Submitted by on,

Blanca Games Issues Statement re: Costa Rica Raids on Absolute Poker, UB.com Office

Blanca Games Inc. (“Blanca”), operator of online poker rooms Absolute Poker and UB, issued the following statement today:

Submitted by on,

Head of Employment Agency Threatens to Report UB.com to Feds

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Interpol Will Not Detain Execs of Indicted Online Poker Companies in Costa Rica

Indicted officials working for PokerStars and UB.com living and working in Costa Rica will not have to worry about being detained by Interpol. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Online Gambling Mecca of Costa Rica Makes Residency More Difficult

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

New Directive Will Reference Online Gambling Base Costa Rica as North America

 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Costa Rica Announces Online Gambling Tax Plans

 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Readers React to Costa Rica Hotel Del Rey Crime Story

 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Shooting at Online Gambling Hotbed Highlights Costa Rica Crime Escalation

 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

U.S. Navy Joins Forces With Marines In Online Gambling Haven Costa Rica

 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Costa Rica President Defends US Marines Presence: Online Gambling Operators Balk

Submitted by C Costigan on,

700 US Marines Land in Costa Rica Online Gambling Haven

It is home to a few hundred online gambling ventures, many of which operate in the shadows.  Costa Rica has long been a country without an army....that is until now.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on,

Chinchilla Hopes to Tax Online Gambling in Costa Rica

The first female President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, looks to raise money by taxing that Central American nation's expansive online gambling business.  Most of the North American facing onl

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Costa Rica Government Will Become Bookie for Soccer

AM Costa Rica is reporting that the Costa Rican government is set to enter the bookmaker business, just in time for the 2010 World Cup.

Submitted by Alistair Prescott on,

Costa Rican Sportsbooks Respond to Recent Arrests

By Chrissie Long, Tico Times Staff

Submitted by on,

Online Gambling Would Welcome Rush Limbaugh to Costa Rica

Radio host Rush Limbaugh has suggested that should President Obama's health plan sail through Congress, he will pack up his things and move to Costa Rica. 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Stateside Bookies, Costa Rica Business Indicted

A federal indictment unsealed today charged four men and two companies with running an illegal gambling business that attracted about $3.6 million in bets over three years.

Gerlarmo Cammisano, 56, James J. Moretina, 60, James L. Dicapo, 57, and Michael J. Lombardo, 54, each were charged with violations of federal gambling laws in the 23-count indictment returned Tuesday in Kansas City.

Submitted by on,

Online Gambling Mecca Costa Rica Elects 1st Woman

Laura Chinchilla has been elected the first woman President of Costa Rica.  That Central American nation is home to more online gambling websites than anywhere else on the planet.

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Poker Hater Joan Rivers Detained at Costa Rica Airport

What was comedian Joan Rivers doing in Costa Rica?  Perhaps looking for some of her online poker friends over at UB.com?

Submitted by Jordan Bach on,

Online Gambling Industry in Costa Rica Goes Green

The online gambling Mecca of San Jose, Costa Rica, is about to go green thanks to one soul known as "Search Engine Bob".

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Costa Rica President has Swine Flu

Costa Rica is home to the largest concentration of online gambling sites in the world.  The Central American nation's President has now been confirmed with Swine Flu.

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Gambling Companies Could Leave Costa Rica if Taxed

Following news over the past two weeks that the Government of Costa Rica is considering taxing online gambling firms operating in that country, operators have told Gambling911.com they would leave

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Bill Would Tax Costa Rica Based Online Gambling Sites

Every few years the Costa Rican government comes up with a novel plan to either tax or license online gambling firms operating in that Central American nation.  Each time, the attempt has failed.

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Richardson Wants George Clooney: Not Leonardo DiCaprio

After learning that Leonardo DiCaprio's production company was slated to begin filming on a project that would focus on the world of Internet gambling in Costa Rica, Gambling911.com suggested that

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Barney Frank: No One Will Be Betting On Sports Matchups

At the behest of professional sports leagues, Congressman  Barney Frank said his legislation announced last week would exempt online wagering on sports matches, even though they have long been a f

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Popular Bookie Joint Time Out Tavern Catches Fire

With many Costa Rican bookies and employees planning to head to the popular Time Out Tavern Bar for the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight Saturday night, an afternoon fire spoiled plans as the esta

Submitted by on,

Gun Fire at Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen 2nd Wedding in Costa Rica

Armed security forces in the normally tranquil Central American nation of Costa Rica opened fire on paparazzi Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen's nuptials in Costa Rica Sunday, according to numerous re

Submitted by Don Shapiro on,