What is KYC and Why is it Important?
KYC is the process of verifying the age and identity of users at online crypto betting sites. It’s critical for a variety of reasons, but the four main factors are as follows.
Complying with Legal and Regulatory Requirements
A regulatory license is often a significant part of a casino’s identity. It has specific requirements of the online site, which it has to adhere to. One is to ensure the identity and age of the user. When a site completes this verification, it ensures the bettor is legally able to gamble and protects everyone from legal challenges.
Preventing Underage Gambling
As already mentioned in the previous point, age verification is part of the KYC process. Checking the player’s age allows the crypto casino to verify the bettor is legally old enough to bet. As a result, it keeps the betting site legal but also ensures underage users can’t access the casino services and therefore prevents underage gambling.
Detecting and Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft
Fraud is a substantial risk with e-commerce. Even using a card at brick-and-mortar stores can lead to card cloning, which then allows fraud even for people who don’t use the internet. KYC stops this from being an issue, as users must prove they are who they claim to be. As a result, a cloned card is not a possibility as it won’t match up to the account holder.
Ensuring Responsible Gaming
KYC helps casinos to prove who the player is. If there’s a player with a self-exclusion, it allows the casino to check if this is the case and continue the exclusion. So, betting sites can protect users who have a potential gambling problem and ensure responsible gambling.
The three components of KYC
The CIP: Customer Identification Procedures
The first stage is to identify the customer. It involves handing documents to the casino to verify the player is who they say they are. An example could be a driving license or passport, but some sites will have a lower barrier of proof.
The CDD: Customer Due Diligence
CDD takes place over the lifetime of the player’s membership at a crypto casino. It will mainly focus on assessing customer risk. So, a player who makes significant deposits may require a check on their finances to ensure they have the funds available.
The CM: Continuous Monitoring
The name for this factor is self-explanatory. After completing the initial KYC checks, the casino must continuously monitor the actions of the player. So, if deposit amounts increase or the player self-excludes, the site must take the appropriate action in line with their KYC policy.
Triggers for KYC Checks for Existing Customers
Although some sites don’t have KYC checks upon signing up, there are actions which trigger a check. Some sites will trigger further checks after the initial sign-up process as part of its continuous monitoring policy.
Large withdrawals or deposits
Making significant transfers will typically lead to a KYC check. Users who often carry out substantial deposits and withdrawals will generally avoid further verification, but players making a change to their usual activity are likely to have extra checks.
Frequent or significant account activity
Users who spend a lot of time using their accounts will have regular checks. It’s to ensure there are no changes to the usage of the profile. Bettors who regularly access their account are most likely to get additional verification.
Change in personal details, such as address or name
Whenever a player changes their details a further check is a requirement. It’s to ensure the account is still under the control of the original player and they haven’t been the victim of a hack.
Suspicion of fraudulent activity
If suspicious behavior takes place the casino will carry out a check. It’s to ensure they aren’t complicit in illegal activity and to protect both the user and the casino.
Random or periodic checks to maintain compliance
Some regulators require online casinos to complete regular checks as part of their audits. So, it means some users will have to carry out more verification so the betting site can retain its regulation.
What is the Difference Between KYC and AML?
KYC purely focuses on ensuring individual bettors are legitimate. So, it covers their identity and age. AML is to ensure the site isn’t being used for money laundering. As a result, it focuses on payments in and out of the casino, looking to stop users from laundering money and prevent illegal activity.
How to Speed Up the KYC Process?
Although it’s not possible to speed up the process beyond how long a KYC takes, users can ensure there aren’t any delays. As a result, it ensures players can begin using their casino account as quickly as possible. There are five steps to take which will ensure the casino completes verification without any holdup.
- Have up to date copies of all required documents
- Don’t leave the casino waiting when uploading documents
- Ensure all information the site asks for is completely accurate
- Use customer support to check on KYC requirements
- Make sure to regularly check messages on the account to provide all material the site requires
Conclusion
Although crypto bettors look upon KYC as a negative, it has positive consequences. It protects the user and the operator by ensuring all activity at the site is completely legal. Players also get better responsible gambling protection with KYC, as it ensures self-exclusions can become active across multiple sites. Although it removes complete anonymity, financial privacy is still possible through crypto payments, so it’s not a complete negative.
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It will vary between crypto casinos, most sites will ask for a government ID and proof of address. If users want to use fiat payments then a legitimate payment method is another requirement.
There isn’t a guarantee on how long the process takes. However, it’s typically around 72 hours for everything to complete, but if there’s a backlog it can take longer.
There should be encryption and data protection in place at any online casino. Every site has different security in place, but our recommended sites have the best levels of protection on the market.
It depends on the crypto casino. If KYC is a requirement to create an account then deposits and withdrawals are not allowed. However, if it’s a betting site without KYC verification then players can begin using the site instantly.
Typically, players will be able to provide additional information to complete the process. However, it depends on what the reason for rejection was. For example, if the player is rejected due to exclusion at another site, it’s unlikely they will be able to complete verification. If it’s because there was a blur on the document images, then they should be able to rectify the situation.