Spinning reels, vibrant visual effects, hypnotic sounds, glamorous dealers in upscale studios – there is so much to love about online casino gaming. It feels like Vegas, yet it hits differently, as you get to access fancy live tables, and play funky slot machines 24/7, rain or shine while hanging around your backyard, or eating Hot Cheetos in your pajamas. Players’ first impression might be it is all fun and games, carefree entertainment created to make everyday lives more bearable.
And then reality kicks in, usually in the form of KYC. So many players are perplexed after being requested to deliver certain documents and prove their identity. Oh yes, Know Your Customer policies are a big thing in the world of online casinos.
No one knows it better than Ana Rosak (more about her here), a Polish digital gaming expert who co-wrote and executed thousands of KYC checks in her career. Nowadays, she is more focused on suggesting “legalne kasyno online” or legal online casino sites, than KYC, but she still remembers her paperwork-filled days.
“The thing is, many people just skip reading Terms and Conditions and that is why they feel like struck by a bolt of lightning after the online casino asks them to supply documents. If they only paid enough attention, they would have been done with it by the time the company asks them to do so”, she says. Scanning T&C and getting familiar with casino policy should be the very first step to do before signing up for any welcome offers.
KYC – The Definition
Before Anna got carried away with fun anecdotes, we asked her to help us define KYC. KYC is a general name for the process in which companies handling money and delicate data gather evidence the money used is obtained legally, the person is of legal age to execute actions and pay for services provided, and the individual in question is the person they claim to be.
“This process, also known as verification, is not done in online casinos alone. It can be conducted by your bank, e-wallet, and even talent platforms such as Upwork. There is nothing mysterious about it, and any reputable company will have clear and simple instructions on how it’s done. Users who fail to comply, will see their accounts blocked, and even terminated”, warns Rosak.
Importance of KYC Policies
The main reason why companies do KYC checks is legal requirements. Anti-money laundering laws and laws against funding terrorism ask companies that handle transactions to know the origin of money, as well as the identity of every user. Paperwork is always a bother, yet it is also the only way for the casino brand to protect itself from being used in illegitimate actions.
Many might wonder, what’s in it for the player, and believe it or not; it is a step that keeps every user more protected. “Imagine there are two women named Anna Rosak in a single casino. How are they going to know who should get the money? By doing KYC, the casino makes sure the money goes into the right hands, and it is paid to the right account”, says Anna and adds, “If you ever had to get your money back because of a mistake, you know what a nightmare it can be. Thanks to KYC, human mistakes are reduced to the minimum.”
Does KYC Mean Fair?
KYC practices are strongly intertwined with laws and legal requirements that many players believe KYC equals fairness. However, that is not necessarily the case.
“Let’s put it this way: a fair casino will always do a KYC background check, but not every casino that does the check is fair,” reveals Anna and continues, “Casino players must understand only properly licensed casinos are fair, as they are often tested and analyzed by reputable authorities. Others may copy their practices just to protect themselves and leave an impression. To each their own, but I recommend double-checking if a casino is a good option or not, regardless of the KYC procedure.”
When Should You Be Worried?
With that in mind, it is natural to wonder if there are certain instances when casino users should be worried about the KYC policy the gambling site is executing. Anna told us that whatever the company asks for, has to be according to the laws of the country that provides the license. Also, some more specific information about you should remain private.
“For example, the casino may ask you for a picture of the credit card you used to deposit. Still, that picture is typically taken in a way that doesn’t reveal all numbers, to prevent any mishandling. If a company employee asks for your PIN, to take a photo of the card without any numbers hidden, or wants you to send screenshots you have never used on the site – it is a red flag, and run away as fast as you can”, concludes Anna.
Remember that gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly.
