Understanding the identity verification and anti-money laundering checks required at UK licensed gambling sites.
All UKGC licensed gambling operators are legally required to verify the identity of their customers and carry out anti-money laundering checks. These requirements protect both players and the integrity of the gambling industry.
Age verification ensures that only adults can gamble. Operators must verify your age before you can deposit, access free-to-play games, or gamble.
AML checks help prevent gambling services being used to launder the proceeds of crime. Operators must understand where customers' money comes from.
Source of funds checks help identify customers who may be gambling with money they cannot afford, protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.
UKGC operators must comply with:
KYC refers to the process of verifying your identity. All UKGC licensed remote gambling operators must verify your identity before you can withdraw funds.
Since April 2019, remote operators must verify your age before you can deposit or access free-to-play versions of gambling games. Most sites use electronic verification for speed.
Full identity verification must be completed before your first withdrawal. This typically requires submitting documents to confirm your identity and address.
Many operators use electronic verification to complete initial KYC quickly. This involves checking your details against databases such as:
If electronic verification fails, you will be asked to submit documents manually.
AML checks go beyond identity verification to assess the risk that a customer may be using gambling to launder money. Operators must conduct enhanced due diligence where there are signs of higher risk.
Operators conduct risk assessments based on factors such as:
Higher risk customers may be subject to enhanced due diligence, which can include:
Operators monitor customer activity for suspicious patterns, including:
Documents commonly accepted for KYC verification at UK gambling sites
A government-issued photo ID showing your name, photograph and date of birth:
Documents must be in date and clearly legible
A recent document showing your name and current address:
Usually must be dated within the last 3 months
Evidence that you own the payment method used:
Cover middle card digits and CVV for security
Some operators require a photo of you with your ID:
Face and document details must be clearly visible
Source of funds checks verify that the money you are using to gamble comes from legitimate sources. These checks are a key part of AML compliance and player protection.
You may be asked to provide source of funds evidence when:
Source of funds reviews typically require you to:
During the review, your account may be restricted. Once verification is complete, normal access is restored.
UK law requires gambling operators to verify customer identities to prevent underage gambling, money laundering and fraud. All UKGC licensed operators must complete identity verification before allowing customers to withdraw funds.
Electronic verification is usually instant. If you need to submit documents manually, verification typically takes 24-72 hours, though complex cases or busy periods may take longer. Some operators offer expedited verification.
UKGC licensed operators must comply with UK data protection law (UK GDPR). Your personal information must be stored securely, used only for legitimate purposes, and not shared without proper justification. You have rights to access and delete your data.
Source of funds checks are a regulatory requirement to prevent money laundering and protect vulnerable customers. They help ensure you are gambling with legitimate funds you can afford. Triggers include reaching deposit thresholds, significant activity changes, or risk indicators.
Contact the operator's customer support to discuss alternatives. They may accept different document types or arrange a video call verification. If you genuinely cannot provide acceptable evidence, the operator may not be able to allow you to continue gambling with them.
You can refuse, but the operator will likely suspend or close your account. They are legally required to conduct these checks and cannot allow you to gamble without satisfactory verification. Your balance would be returned once standard withdrawal verification is complete.
All UKGC licensed operators must comply with these requirements. Unlicensed sites may not conduct proper verification, but they are illegal in the UK and offer no consumer protection. Always verify an operator holds a valid UKGC licence.
Identity verification typically uses "soft" credit checks that do not affect your credit score. These checks confirm your identity using credit agency data but do not leave a visible footprint on your credit file.