Know Your Customer or KYC for short is the process used by online casinos to ensure players that sign up and register an account are who they say they are.
If you have never played at an online casino before, you may find yourself in for a shock when it comes to withdrawing any winnings for the very first time.
As part of the Know Your Customer process, it is likely that the security team from the casino will email you within 24 hours of enacting your first withdrawal.
They will invariably ask you to provide documentation in the form of a copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement, which has your name and address on. Both of which have to match the details you provided when you opened up your casino account.
Furthermore if you reside outside the United Kingdom, or play at online casinos which are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, you will very likely also be required to scan in photographic id, which you will then have to send to the security department at the casino.
In addition to this, if you have used a debit or credit card to deposit funds, the casino security team will also request a scan copy of both the front and back of the card used. However, you can blank out all but the last four numbers of the long number that features on the card.
In the UK, whilst many casinos still do request photo id in the form of a passport or driving license, there are other methods they use to identify you.
These include searching the Electoral Register, utilising 192.com and also performing a ‘soft’ search of your credit file, held with a Credit Reference Agency such as Experian or Equifax.
Do not be alarmed if you see a search on your credit file from an online casino, these are only searches to confirm your identity and do not leave a trace. Meaning any financial institutions or other organisations who subsequently search your Credit File are unable to see the search previously performed by the casino.
In summary, KYC is protects both the player and casino from fraudulent activity and once your have submitted any documentation requested, you will not have to do so on subsequent withdrawals you make.
