When you join an online casino, you can expect to be asked to complete a know your customer (KYC) process. You might wonder why this is necessary, so it’s a good idea to look at why this process exists and what you need to do to complete it.
They Need to Meet Regulatory Guidelines
The KYC process is part of a series of standard regulatory guidelines imposed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is the authority that issues licences to the country’s gambling sites and makes sure that they comply with the latest requirements to ensure fair treatment of their users.
This fits in with the overall use of KYC in the UK’s financial and banking industry. It’s been used in the UK since the turn of the century as a way of preventing fraud and financial crime, such as money laundering or identity theft. With an estimated £290 billion lost to financial crime each year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set guidelines that British companies need to stick to.
In the case of gambling sites, the top UK online casinos are fully licensed by the UKGC, meaning that they need to comply with the agency’s regulatory guidelines in terms of KYC and anti-money laundering (AML). Casino Kings and Virgin Games Casino are among the sites that welcome British players who verify their identity through a rigorous process, ensuring that users meet the strict 18+ policy and live in the country.
How It Works
In many cases, players can register, make a deposit and start playing some games before completing their KYC checks. This process generally only needs to be completed before withdrawals can be made. If a casino site doesn’t mention KYC at all, you can be sure that it’s not authorised by the UKGC as being suitable for British players and should be avoided.
Look for a section in your casino account where you can upload your ID documents, or details of where to send them by email. The casino will list details of which of the commonly requested documents are acceptable, with proof of identity and proof of address essential. If the information you send isn’t suitable for some reason, you’ll be asked to provide an alternative.
Is This Likely to Be Time-Consuming?
The majority of KYC checks are carried out swiftly and without any fuss. It’s only likely to be an issue if you can’t provide the documents requested for any reason. One of the reasons why using UKGC-licensed casinos is vital is that you can complain to the regulatory authority if you feel that they aren’t giving you fair treatment. In this situation, the regulator will assess the case and decide how the issue can be resolved.
Since KYC needs to be carried out before withdrawals can be made, it makes sense to do it as soon as possible. However, the stringent regulations in place for online gambling in the UK mean that you can feel comfortable about completing this process without any issues, provided that you have documents that prove your identity and address.
