Need your input: Enhanced Due Diligence Checks - Your View?

[Webzcas]

With regulation of online casinos and gaming sites continually tightening up over the past decade, players in jurisdictions such as the UK are subjected to KYC and Source of Wealth checks as part of the 'onboarding' process when they become a customer and player at an online casino.

We have seen first hand here on the forum some of the pains that players have to endure involving multiple fence jumping to appease a casino SoW requirements for one. Indeed, some of and the type of information requested has seen players stop playing at regulated online casinos.

Instead they either stop playing altogether online, or they look at joining an offshore casino, whereby such potentially 'intrusive' requests for documents are not required. Even if this means they are playing at a site with little to no recourse should a problem arise.

Recently we have also had threads and posts on the forum concerning 'Enhanced Due Diligence' checks. The requests for information and details covering EDD's can in some cases make a Source of Wealth check seem like a walk in the park by comparison.

One such poster has even recently stated that they have been asked to provide video footage of themselves logging into their online banking, to satisfy an EDD.

So, what I am trying to gauge are your thoughts in general on EDD checks? Does the thought of ever having to complete one put you off playing at regulated sites? Or do you see them as a necessary evil to ensure the safety of players and in turn also a means to combat player fraud, money laundering and the such like?

 

[Downsman]

It's all got way too OTT..and I would pack it in completely if I ever hit the EDD
threshold, unlikely as it is with my meagre gambling budget.
As for sending a casino a video of me logging on to my bank account..feck right off!
No player would ever consent to that..or would they?
Online slotting is doomed if the powers that be continue down this track much further.

 

[L&L-Jan]

One such poster has even recently stated that they have been asked to provide video footage of themselves logging into their online banking, to satisfy an EDD.

Maybe that was mentioned on chat by mistake and OP assumed that is the reason. That is actually unrelated to any EDD request. Logging in to a bank account we will not ask in regards to EDD.

 

[satchnz]

Does the thought of ever having to complete one put you off playing at regulated sites?

This is why almost 100% of my gambling is done on crypto casinos now.

 

[andysbetting1187]

I think they are intrusive, but as long as you meet the casinos halfway then its not too much of a drama.

Also, its not just limited to casinos these days - I wanted to buy a new car this year (Mustang Dark Horse) but after being told that I would need to provide quite a lot for proof of funds, I couldn't be arsed and walked away in the end.

Banks are just as bad - try withdrawing your own money in cash and see how long that takes. Fill out these forms, tell us what you are doing with it, are you sure you want your money in cash.........just give me my money and stop pissing about - if i want to withdraw it and set it on fire in front of you, thats my choice.

 

[2Slots]

I just checked the EDD section on gambling commission site and apart from the suspected false or stolen id documentation I can't see why it would be requested in the vast majority of cases.

All the other points are to do with serious crime that I just can't see being relevant at all outside of a minority of cases.

As andysbetting1187 says about banks, surely at the point of a player depositing onto a regulated casino the money they use would have already been verified as legal.

It's not like dodgy people can get a casino's bank details and then go stick some cash into their account so they can play casino games and withdraw it in cash as well. All the deposit methods are digital and also subject to the same financial regulations.

 

[RobbanBetsmart]

Sometimes I want to reply with the same question! Who are the owner of the casino and can you send it to me before I deposit my hard earned money cash into your bank!
They never ask when I deposit just when I want to make an withdrawal. Some casinos do this on purpose to stal and for you to gamble for the winnings instead.

 

[lockinlove]

EDD is unethical and invasive. It should also be illegal.

Alcohol is destructive. Do you need to provide proof of how much you drink or If you can afford booze? Do you need to provide the liquor stores bank statements to show you can afford it and make sure you are feeding your children and being responsible?

No you do not.

The gaming commission has become power hungry with the lust to feel ...well ....powerful.

Adults should be allowed to make their own decisions. If they screw up, they pay the price. They dont need some clown show body trying to control how you spend your money. If you blow up your finances, thats on you. If you drink too much, thats on you. If you eat too much Mcdonalds, that's on you.

The desire to control people is ridiculous.

Why?

You can go to any landbased and spend as much money as you want and nobody will stop you but suddenly because you are online this is suddenly the end all be all? WE MUST CRUSH THE PEASANTS!

The UKGC/commissions trying be more relevant than they really are. Their own gross way to feel important in a world where nobody actually cares about them.

Gaming commissions should exist for 3 reasons. To make sure casinos do not rip players off, offer fair games and terms... and if a player has a gambling problem the ability to offer the option to set limits.

That's it.

Asking people for proof of money left to them by a deceased relative? Receipts and statement of your pay stubs? Bank statements to see how you spend your money?

Unethical and likely illegal in some countries.

Now because of this, we have casinos so scared of getting fined, they are literally asking people for videos of logging into their bank account. Selfies with written notes showing elbows and arms and all this other nonsense. It's become a joke.

If i had to sum up the UKGC in a sentence or two, I would say they are acting like they were bullied as kids, not invited to any parties or after school events and now they try to use their job as a way to get back at the bad kids on the playground.

Grow up.

 

[andysbetting1187]

You can go to any landbased and spend as much money as you want and nobody will stop you but suddenly because you are online this is suddenly the end all be all? WE MUST CRUSH THE PEASANTS!

You can't anymore mate - three times so far this year I have been asked to provide proof of funds or complete EDD at a landbased casino due to wagering certain amounts or bringing in cash that isn't in a sealed bag from the bank. Its a pain in the arse because the bank want me to complete EDD before I withdraw the money to spend at the casino who then want me to jump through hoops. And I don't like jumping.

 

[Webzcas]

You can't anymore mate - three times so far this year I have been asked to provide proof of funds or complete EDD at a landbased casino due to wagering certain amounts or bringing in cash that isn't in a sealed bag from the bank. Its a pain in the arse because the bank want me to complete EDD before I withdraw the money to spend at the casino who then want me to jump through hoops. And I don't like jumping.

Interesting to know. I knew that they would pull you to one side and have a quiet RG chat with you if you were deemed to be spending too much time playing. But I did not know that land based casinos in the UK were indeed performing EDD checks. Wow, we really are here in the UK slowly but surely turning into a police state!

 

[lockinlove]

You can't anymore mate - three times so far this year I have been asked to provide proof of funds or complete EDD at a landbased casino due to wagering certain amounts or bringing in cash that isn't in a sealed bag from the bank. Its a pain in the arse because the bank want me to complete EDD before I withdraw the money to spend at the casino who then want me to jump through hoops. And I don't like jumping.

What really? Thats crazy what the are doing where you live.

Here in Ontario I go about once or twice a month nobody ever gets bothered about anything ever.

 

[Webzcas]

What really? Thats crazy what the are doing where you live.

Here in Ontario I go about once or twice a month nobody ever gets bothered about anything ever.

You've not heard what has been happening in the UK then? Digital ID is the next thing they want to impose on us all.

 

[lockinlove]

You've not heard what has been happening in the UK then? Digital ID is the next thing they want to impose on us all.

Well Ive seen on the news in passing that the UK government has gone insane tyranny but I didnt know its being installed in every aspect of life.

Wild what's happening there.

 

[L&L-Jan]

What really? Thats crazy what the are doing where you live.

Here in Ontario I go about once or twice a month nobody ever gets bothered about anything ever.

I had done a form of EDD at casinos in London, Malta and Holland. Since I only use one account for gambling, I can often sort it by showing statement at that moment.

 

[andysbetting1187]

Interesting to know. I knew that they would pull you to one side and have a quiet RG chat with you if you were deemed to be spending too much time playing. But I did not know that land based casinos in the UK were indeed performing EDD checks. Wow, we really are here in the UK slowly but surely turning into a police state!

Last one was Aspers last week. Playing blackjack, cash was not in a sealed bag. Asked for a table limit increase which was approved, then they paused the game and had to chat to a manager. Asked if I had a copy of my payslips on me and could prove where my funds came from/if I could afford the level of play I was at. Showed them one of my accounts/digital payslips and they allowed me to continue.

If I didn't provide it then, I would have been allowed to carry on playing but had to provide the information on my next visit or would not be allowed to play.

The ironic thing is that I could go and play a poker cash game in the casino and they never pick up on it/ask for EDD regardless of stakes (and ive played some big cash games) but as soon as I hit the tables it starts (at least recently)

It's a painless process and just like with online, although a bit intrusive if you just show them then its all good and away you go

 

[satchnz]

I just checked the EDD section on gambling commission site and apart from the suspected false or stolen id documentation I can't see why it would be requested in the vast majority of cases.

All the other points are to do with serious crime that I just can't see being relevant at all outside of a minority of cases.

As andysbetting1187 says about banks, surely at the point of a player depositing onto a regulated casino the money they use would have already been verified as legal.

It's not like dodgy people can get a casino's bank details and then go stick some cash into their account so they can play casino games and withdraw it in cash as well. All the deposit methods are digital and also subject to the same financial regulations.

Why are you trying to bring logic into this? There is simply no logic on display when it comes to the GC.

 

[nicolajones232232]

I will add my views on this soon, but not yet while I have an active PAB.

All I will say is that I can see both sides of the issue.

However, the casino control the issue unfairly as they hold the funds regardless of who is at fault. There is times when this might be right be times where this is clearly wrong.

So the KYC/EDD has to be completed or the player is seen as the one not complying.

 

[2Slots]

Why are you trying to bring logic into this? There is simply no logic on display when it comes to the GC.

It does seem like that whenever I check them. It makes it hard to know in many cases whether the operators are being difficult or just making sure they cover all the bases to avoid fines.

 

[toslotornot]

while KYC is a "necessary evil" asking for video footage of a bank login is going too far , extreme. what next, having the webcam on while while using the site?

 

[PMKFRUITPRO]

It’s been well documented on this site and others which casinos will pull this nonsense on you. We all know who they are. If you know this and sign up and deposit with them then more fool you.

Again I will reiterate that I have wagered millions of pounds through my casinos and deposited and withdrawn easily deep into 6 figures across the sites I play at and have never heard a single thing about unredacted bank statements, wage slips or having to explain why I sent money to somebody or why they sent money to me.

If you’re in the UK, stick to the main sites. Paddy, sky, coral, lads, hills & 365 etc etc.

Now these lot will slap a loss limit on your account at some point, then IF you feel it’s not high enough then it’s up to YOU to then contact them and say ok I think it should be higher tell me what you need to increase.

Now most people will only withdraw should they win or maybe go a couple of hundred in and get most back or even creep into profit or obv after a big win. At no point will any of the above sites in my experience anyway all of a sudden pipe up with some of the reduculous requests we are seeing at point of withdrawal because of some threshold limit reached. Often this is after a big win of course.

Loss limits have already been applied so it’s then up to you to supply this kind of information should you wish to brain out more. You simply don’t get these requests as a result of these loss limits being apppied.

It’s getting extremely difficult to find places that offer decent RTP so what you don’t want is to get a win and they have to jump through hoops to get what is basically a miracle in the first place paid out to you.

Now I know people will say what do you know? They have to do these checks etc etc. Again I am talking from my experience only. I don’t get these checks because I don’t play at casinos that I know pull them on you.

As long as you stick to the rules and play at casinos that can easily identify you are who you say you are then you won’t have these problems.

Of course some people come on to this site and others bitching about not getting paid and getting scammed etc etc and often it’s because they’ve fucked by using somebody else’s card etc etc and of course that’s their fault. So I know it works both ways.

I know it’s not just me who’s never had this kind of thing as others have also stated. The one thing in common?? We are playing at the same places and not at said sites who get flagged up time and time again for the same thing. Avoid avoid avoid!!

According to the UKGC themselves they are NOT instructing casinos to be this intrusive and invasive, it’s the casinos taking it into their own hands presumably through fear of fines and in some cases more fines which is obv understandable. Some are clearly taking it too far under their own initiative. We know who they are people.

Happy to be shot down by casino reps but I’m just reporting from my experience once again.

 

[philderby]

The only place I play at now is 3Dice because I know if I win big then there is no dramas or bs its just paid. Having said that my play has reduced significantly over the last 3 years. The UKGC and higher taxes have made it pretty much irrelevant to me now

 

[Valhalla]

[snip]
Does the thought of ever having to complete one put you off playing at regulated sites? Or do you see them as a necessary evil to ensure the safety of players and in turn also a means to combat player fraud, money laundering and the such like?

The moment I get an intrusive SoW/EDD request from any casino, I log out and never go back.
I've had a few casinos ask me "what I do for a living", which is information I don't mind giving, but I am absolutely not handing over payslips or bank statements etc to some random private company in some random country staffed by people that I don't know in the slightest. Ain't happening sunbeam

Obviously this probably means that I'll eventually run out of casinos to play at, but it's not as if they are any good these days anyway. Oh no, I can't lose money over and over and over

 

[TheSchwad]

It’s been well documented on this site and others which casinos will pull this nonsense on you. We all know who they are. If you know this and sign up and deposit with them then more fool you.

Again I will reiterate that I have wagered millions of pounds through my casinos and deposited and withdrawn easily deep into 6 figures across the sites I play at and have never heard a single thing about unredacted bank statements, wage slips or having to explain why I sent money to somebody or why they sent money to me.

If you’re in the UK, stick to the main sites. Paddy, sky, coral, lads, hills & 365 etc etc.

Now these lot will slap a loss limit on your account at some point, then IF you feel it’s not high enough then it’s up to YOU to then contact them and say ok I think it should be higher tell me what you need to increase.

Now most people will only withdraw should they win or maybe go a couple of hundred in and get most back or even creep into profit or obv after a big win. At no point will any of the above sites in my experience anyway all of a sudden pipe up with some of the reduculous requests we are seeing at point of withdrawal because of some threshold limit reached. Often this is after a big win of course.

Loss limits have already been applied so it’s then up to you to supply this kind of information should you wish to brain out more. You simply don’t get these requests as a result of these loss limits being apppied.

It’s getting extremely difficult to find places that offer decent RTP so what you don’t want is to get a win and they have to jump through hoops to get what is basically a miracle in the first place paid out to you.

Now I know people will say what do you know? They have to do these checks etc etc. Again I am talking from my experience only. I don’t get these checks because I don’t play at casinos that I know pull them on you.

As long as you stick to the rules and play at casinos that can easily identify you are who you say you are then you won’t have these problems.

Of course some people come on to this site and others bitching about not getting paid and getting scammed etc etc and often it’s because they’ve fucked by using somebody else’s card etc etc and of course that’s their fault. So I know it works both ways.

I know it’s not just me who’s never had this kind of thing as others have also stated. The one thing in common?? We are playing at the same places and not at said sites who get flagged up time and time again for the same thing. Avoid avoid avoid!!

According to the UKGC themselves they are NOT instructing casinos to be this intrusive and invasive, it’s the casinos taking it into their own hands presumably through fear of fines and in some cases more fines which is obv understandable. Some are clearly taking it too far under their own initiative. We know who they are people.

Happy to be shot down by casino reps but I’m just reporting from my experience once again.

Have to agree with the casinos listed, never had KYC or EDD from B365, Ladbrokes, Coral (or any Entain Group Casino) despite having account with them over 10 years and cycling through 100's thousands in Deposits/Withdrawals but certainly have some very intrusive request from Netbet, Casumo (the most ridiculous for unrealistic documents), Leo Vegas, Pokerstars, MrQ, Lottomart, Videoslots just to name a few.

I used to comply and had done with a few of the above satisfactorily, but started to refuse once they asked for 'unredacted' Bank Statements, me connecting my bank to third party bank checking apps, and the worst one PokerStars asking for unrelated savings accounts statements when they saw a monthly outgoing standing order transactions saying 'savings' from the 3 months of statements I provided.

All transactions were going in the correct direction, from my main bank account where my wages went to my savings account, so no need to try and validate whether there was some dodgy third party providing funds for me to gamble as funds only went one way, and if I can afford to save each month, surely I am responsible and know how much I can afford to gamble?

 

[nicolajones232232]

All - I just want to say that I wish I had found and been a part of this website many years ago.
its full of fantastic guides, reviews and the forum interaction is by far, better than anything I've seen or been a member of in the past.. Love it

 

[teckiwi]

I think it's fine personally, especially given how UK casinos etc have to deal with gamstop etc and have penalties for not doing their job correctly identifying players of concern.

Leovegas I quit playing on after having many losing sessions and self excluded, to reopen they made me answer a bunch of questions and provide proof of wealth etc. They were really good to be honest and took it seriously. I only play within my means financially but it would stop someone with a problem.

 

[winner2021]

If I'm asked for documents I just stop playing there. No skin off my nose really as there's so many casinos out there. If you win big and get asked you can just close your account and they HAVE to send you the winnings regardless right? Or has that changed?

 

[TheSchwad]

If I'm asked for documents I just stop playing there. No skin off my nose really as there's so many casinos out there. If you win big and get asked you can just close your account and they HAVE to send you the winnings regardless right? Or has that changed?

MrQ still have £80 of my money from almost a year ago, cos wouldn't provide unredacted statements (is this against the UKGC guidlines?), I tried to comply but refused to underact ALL my statement transactions, only showed the ones relevant to themselves (ie occasional PayPal Deposit/withdrawal matched up to PayPal Statements), I'd never deposited to them from my Bank Direct) and salary transactions. But they wanted to see every irrelevant Banking transaction, weekly shop, Starbucks etc

They could see the headlines of the statement Money In/Money Out at the top of the statement, but I refuse to underact the rest of the statement and they refused to let me withdraw, and after a month my account was locked.

Basically said their hands were tied by regulation, and they HAD to request this level of information.
I do feel for the Casino's not wanting to risk a fine, but how can the guidelines from the UKGC be interpreted so differently by each casino group? They must be losing so much custom with the intrusive nature of the requests.
I'm happy to meet them in the middle and provide what is necessary to make a assessment of what I can afford, but not give them complete access to every financial detail of my life, down to how much I spend on coffee each morning etc

 

[Valge]

The UKGC doesn't actually tell casinos how to run EDD — just when to trigger it. Because "unusually large" is never defined, operators set their own thresholds and then over-comply out of fear of fines. That's where the wild inconsistency comes from. It's not the regulator directly asking for your Starbucks receipts — it's casinos covering themselves badly.

On the MrQ situation, TheSchwad raised — a licensed casino can't just sit on your deposit balance forever because you won't hand over unredacted statements. Demanding full bank statements with no risk-based justification is also arguably disproportionate under both AML rules and GDPR. If they can't document why they needed that specific data, they're on shaky ground.

And yes, the irony that all this is pushing players to unregulated crypto casinos is very real. Less oversight, not more.

 

[mcgameboy]

With regulation of online casinos and gaming sites continually tightening up over the past decade, players in jurisdictions such as the UK are subjected to KYC and Source of Wealth checks as part of the 'onboarding' process when they become a customer and player at an online casino.

So, what I am trying to gauge are your thoughts in general on EDD checks? Does the thought of ever having to complete one put you off playing at regulated sites? Or do you see them as a necessary evil to ensure the safety of players and in turn also a means to combat player fraud, money laundering and the such like?

If I am ever asked to do an EDD check, I am gone and more than happy for the door to hit my arse on the way out. Thankfully, it hasn't happened...yet.

Not sure it is relevant, but since I started regular online gambling in late 2013 (after joining CM), these are the only casinos where I have signed up, but never made a deposit...

Energy (signed up February 2016, account currently locked rather than closed)
Grosvenor (signed up May 2016, closed account April 2019)
Videoslots (signed up June 2016, account still active )
All British (signed up June 2016, closed account January this year)

In the case of all four it wasn't an EDD request that ensured I would never make a deposit there, it was a request for documentation that I do not have (passport, drivers licence).
These requests are NOT unreasonable in my opinion, I was simply unable to meet them at the time they were requested.
And because I did not envisage a time when I could meet them, the prudent decision had to be to not ever make a deposit there.

The accounts I have currently and where I am regularly active (ie at least one deposit per month) are....

Casino Rewards (subject to a monthly limit of £700, which was set by them, not me)
32Red
Bet365
Bwin*
Gala*
Lottomart
Mr Q
Party Casino*
PlayOJO
Sky Vegas
SlotsTemple
SportingBet*

* All part of the Entain Group

Every casino on that list from Bet365 downwards (with one exception) have NEVER asked for anything documentaton-wise. I get to set my deposit limits, and when I win and request a cashout, they pay out with no fuss at all. Exactly the way it should be.

The one exception is PlayOJO who (upon my reaching £2000 in total deposits there) have asked for a screenshot of my debit card that I use to make deposits). That was only last month. Again, I do not find this type of request to be unreasonable (others may have a different opinion).

As for CasinoRewards and 32Red, I have hit the odd speed bump over the years (been with both of them since 2013), but they got sorted out every time with little trouble. And it has been several years since I last hit one of said speed bumps at either of those places (probably during the 2010s IIRC).

I have never gone to a crypto site and never will. I have never gone to an unregulated site and never will. If any/all of the above sites started to go down the EDD route, then I will simply close my account/stop gambling altogether.

To hell with jumping through hoops to satisfy an online casino's demands. Some of them behave like they are law enforcement agencies and seriously need abruptly put back in their damn lanes.

 

[RobbanBetsmart]

LeoVegas is a really serious gaming company here in Sweden. They have a whole team working with Compliance checks on affiliate sites. They check every little site that they are compliant. They also known for serious checks with players for troubled gaming or money laundering. I think this was because of a warning and a fine they got from the Swedish Gambling Commision back in 2021. After that I think they took it more serious.

 

[winner2021]

MrQ still have £80 of my money from almost a year ago, cos wouldn't provide unredacted statements (is this against the UKGC guidlines?), I tried to comply but refused to underact ALL my statement transactions, only showed the ones relevant to themselves (ie occasional PayPal Deposit/withdrawal matched up to PayPal Statements), I'd never deposited to them from my Bank Direct) and salary transactions. But they wanted to see every irrelevant Banking transaction, weekly shop, Starbucks etc

They could see the headlines of the statement Money In/Money Out at the top of the statement, but I refuse to underact the rest of the statement and they refused to let me withdraw, and after a month my account was locked.

Basically said their hands were tied by regulation, and they HAD to request this level of information.
I do feel for the Casino's not wanting to risk a fine, but how can the guidelines from the UKGC be interpreted so differently by each casino group? They must be losing so much custom with the intrusive nature of the requests.
I'm happy to meet them in the middle and provide what is necessary to make a assessment of what I can afford, but not give them complete access to every financial detail of my life, down to how much I spend on coffee each morning etc

Yep that's totally ridiculous. I wouldn't send them anything like that either. Especially not for £80. Did you do a PAB on here for it?

 

[nicolajones232232]

i have a great post to provide on this topic once my PAB Ticket is resolved.
Some interesting facts that people should really know and understand.