When you sign up to an online casino to play games to win real money, you must be of legal age to play at that site and register an account by filling out the online registration form with correct and honest information about yourself.
The legal minimum age around the world required to play at licensed iGaming sites, including dedicated poker sites, online casinos, lottery/bingo sites, and sports betting sites, varies. It’s usually 18, but it can be 19 to 21.
To prove that you are who you say you are, you must then complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) account verification process.
Here is a closer look at how it works and why it’s required.
How long does it take to complete the KYC process?
When you send the KYC documents to an online casino’s verification department, it can take up to 48 hours for them to check that the documents are okay and that you’re of legal age, etc. (and don’t already have an account open with them). However, it can take as little as ten minutes.
The time it takes them to process your documents can sometimes depend on how busy the account verification department is.
Also, if your documents are blurry, out of date, or don’t have the correct information (e.g., it has your maiden name or your previous address), then it won’t match with the information you supplied to them during the sign-up process and will get sent back to you.
To prevent this from happening and to speed up how long it takes for your documents to be checked, ensure the information on the forms is correct, in focus, etc.
If there are any temporary restrictions placed on your account, they will be lifted as soon as your documents have been verified. It means you will then be able to deposit, withdraw, and play your favourite games in the real money mode without any more interruptions.
What exactly is the KYC account verification process at Online Casinos and why do I have to complete it?
Many players worldwide often ask the question, what is KYC in online gambling? In short, online casino operators are required by law to carry out their own due diligence on who signs up to their casinos. Making players complete the KYC process ensures that they are who they say they are.
It involves more than just sending in a scanned colour copy of your driver’s license as proof of ID. However, today’s online casino verification departments also generally accept a valid passport or other internationally accepted form of identification instead of a driver’s license.
You also normally have to send proof of address, which could be a recent gas, electricity or mobile phone bill, or a recent bank statement or annual mortgage statement. When sending in your ID proof, it must be valid, meaning it mustn’t be out of date/expired.
Similarly, when sending your proof of address documents, they must be less than 12 weeks old and CLEARLY have your current address (the address you supplied the casino with when you filled out the online registration form). It must also clearly show your name.
When sending the documents via email, directly through the casino’s online email entry form, or as an attachment via the live chat support feature, always ensure the images aren’t blurry and, where necessary, always in colour.
Completing the KYC process proves that you are who you say you are. It also prevents players from opening up multiple accounts just to claim the initial welcome bonus more than once. Therefore, the KYC process is designed to prevent fraudulent activity and underage gambling.
What happens if I don’t complete the KYC process?
If you don’t complete the KYC process, your account will most likely be temporarily frozen until you get yourself verified. In other words, to avoid having your online casino, sports betting or poker account frozen, remember to complete the KYC process.
Instead of waiting for them to request these documents from you, you can speed up the KYC process when logged into your account. Either contact the player support or read through the general policies/terms and conditions to find the easiest way for you to send the documents.
You may even be able to find a document attachment section when you click on the ‘My Account’ section. Now that you know what the KYC process involves, you can be better prepared when you next sign up to a licensed online casino site.
For example, instead of signing up to an online casino and then trying to get all these documents ready, which can take a while and is a lot of messing about, you could get the documents ready in advance and stored locally on your preferred device in anticipation of signing up to an online casino.
Conclusion
Basically, as soon as your new account has been activated, you can pull the necessary documents from your saved file and then send them to the casino as soon as you log in to your new online casino account. Once all is in place, you can immediately begin playing your favourite casino games.
