Casino verification (KYC): what to send and when

Why casinos verify you

Regulators require operators to confirm that players are old enough, are who they say they are, and aren't moving money on behalf of someone else. The same checks protect you: they make it harder for someone to take over your account and withdraw your balance. For Canadians the age check matters more than it looks, because the legal age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.

The documents you'll be asked for

Based on the terms and privacy policies of the casinos we list:

• Photo ID: a passport, driver's licence or government identity card. All four corners visible, nothing covered.
• Proof of address: a bank statement or utility bill no older than three months, in your name, matching your account address.
• Proof of payment ownership: for a card, a photo showing your name. For a bank or e-wallet, a statement or screenshot showing your name and the account.
• Sometimes more: certified or notarised copies, or information about the source of your funds and how much you intend to gamble.

When verification happens

• At sign-up: automatic database checks may confirm your name, age and address.
• Before your first withdrawal: the most common trigger. The featured brands' payment policy marks customer verification as required for Interac.
• When something changes: a new payment method, a large deposit or an unusual pattern. The Casino Rewards FAQs say withdrawals to a method you haven't been paid by before get extra checks.

How to get through it faster

1. Register with your legal name and current address, exactly as on your documents.
2. Deposit only from accounts and cards in your own name.
3. Upload clear colour photos or scans in good light, with no cropping of edges.
4. Do it before you need to withdraw, ideally right after your first deposit.
5. If a document is rejected, ask support which detail failed rather than resubmitting the same file.

Your documents and your privacy

Casinos keep verification documents for a long time. The Casino Rewards privacy policy says five years after the account closes, or longer if a regulator requires it. Before uploading, it's reasonable to read the privacy policy and note the operator's name. The same Casino Rewards terms also include consent to use player data for AI training, which is worth knowing before you sign up. Our own site collects none of this. See our privacy page.

Verification scams to watch for

• Emails or texts saying your account is “frozen” until you send ID through a link.
• “Support agents” on social media offering to speed up verification for a fee.
• Requests for your online-banking password or one-time codes. No casino needs them.

If something feels off, log in by typing the casino's address yourself and check your account messages there. Related: how to choose a casino and payment methods.