How Online Casino Identity Verification Works

Why Online Casinos Require ID Verification

In this day and age of online crime, it’s become increasingly important for casinos to put anti-fraud and anti-money laundering policies in place. Verification checks are central to this.

While they may feel like an inconvenience, the last thing that you want is somebody stealing your bank card and spending all your money, and these types of policies do help to prevent that from happening.

How Online Casino Identification Works

At some point after creating an account with an online casino (exactly when depends on the brand), you may be asked to verify your ID by way of KYC, or ‘Know Your Customer’ checks.

The one exception to this is if they are able to verify you automatically using your sign-up details, but it’s safest to assume that this won’t happen and that you will instead have to provide some documents. If you are not able to provide these documents, it’s best not to sign up for the casino in the first place.

Typically, you will have to provide both proof of identification and a proof of address document. The documents that are typically accepted by US online casinos include the following:

Verifying Your Payment Method

Depending on the automatic checks in place at the casino, you may also be required to verify your payment method before making a withdrawal. This can be the case even when using fast payout online casinos. Primarily, this helps to prevent money laundering.

To do this, you will usually need to send an image of both sides of your bank card, but covering some of the numbers to ensure that your information remains secure.

Online Casino ID Verification: Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

• Helps prevent identity theft
• Helps prevent money laundering
• Can sometimes be automated

• Can feel like an inconvenience

Summary: It’s a Pain, but ID Verification Is There for a Reason

Look, we get it, nobody enjoys digging out passports and utility bills from the backs of drawers or underneath mountains of paperwork, but these ID checks are in place – at least partially – to protect us as players. Nobody wants to have their identity stolen, or their bank cards used without permission, and these checks do help with that.

Generally speaking, they’re also relatively straightforward, and there is also a level of automation used at many online casinos these days, which makes the process easier still.

Online Casino ID Verification: FAQs

Gamble Responsibly

Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following responsible gambling guidelines such as:

Set a Budget:

Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.

Don’t Chase Losses:

Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.

Play with a Clear Head:

Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.

Set Time Limits:

Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.

Know Your Stuff:

Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.

Use Responsible Gambling Tools:

Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.

If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:

Gamblers Anonymous

National Council on Problem Gambling

Gaming Addicts Anonymous

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Bevilacqua as part of our fact-checking process.