The top online casinos will enable players to start playing real money as quickly as possible in 2021 with an uncomplicated registration and modern payment methods. An account on a casino site can be set up quickly and when depositing real money, the credit is usually available immediately. As part of the protection of minors and money laundering laws, the operators are also obliged to verify the account. As a player, you must therefore provide proof of identity, which is due at the latest before a payout. We explain to you which documents you can use to confirm your casino account and the reasons behind the account verification.
When processing real money transactions, online casinos as well as internet dealers and digital shops are obliged to obtain information about their customers. In the short form one speaks of KYC, which stands for "Know Your Customer", in German about "Know your customer". The requirement not to make payments with strangers results on the one hand from the European laws on protection against money laundering and terrorist financing. On the other hand, online casinos are obliged to exclude minors from gambling. In addition, it should be prevented that players on a blacklist verify a casino account.
Proof of identity for the purpose of confirming personal details and account verification is perceived by many German players as an annoying step that often stands in the way of a payout and delays the receipt of real money winnings. However, online casinos should not be subject to blanket harassment, because the measure is not only a legal requirement, but also part of player protection. Preventing payment fraud, identity theft or unauthorized withdrawals is in the interests of every individual player. Ultimately, it also shows seriousness when an online casino carries out proof of identity professionally, quickly and reliably according to the KYC principle.
If you want to verify your account in the online casino, you can do so conveniently online in 2022. Depending on the casino site and operator, the confirmation is made differently and the required documents may differ slightly. If in doubt, contact customer service to see how the process works. If you already have a customer account with an internet gambling provider, you can basically provide your proof of identity with the following simple steps:
Prepare all the necessary documents. On the casino page you can find out what exactly is required. As a rule, you have to present a valid identification document such as an identity card or passport and a so-called utility bill, i.e. a bill for telephone, gas or electricity. It is important that the address stored in your casino account appears on the invoice. If you paid in by credit card, the front of the card used is usually also required. Make a digital copy in color of all documents, for example by scanning or taking a photo with your smartphone.
In the online casino you can upload the digital documents in your personal area. There is also a menu item for document upload, a contact form or an e-mail address. Customer service will help you with any questions. Often you can also send the documents in the live chat or find out how to proceed.
After completing the process, you will have to wait for the online casino to review your documents. If everything is in order and no further evidence is required, the status of your casino account will be set to confirmed. Your account is now verified. Any outstanding payments can now be processed. As a rule, no new proof of identity is necessary, unless you change your personal data in your customer account.
Please note the following information on the documents with which you confirm your identity in the online casino:
When uploading, wait for the upload to be confirmed as successful. Find out beforehand which file formats and file sizes are accepted. Uploads in JPG image format or scans as PDF are common.
If the proof of identity does not work right away, the player will be very frustrated. In anger, you quickly accuse the operator of delaying tactics, chicane or rip-offs, especially when it comes to the casino account confirmation before a payout. It does not have to be dubious behavior on the part of the online casino when problems arise. Here is a brief overview of the most common problems related to account verification:
With payouts, there can often be trouble that has nothing to do with confirming the player's account or providing proof of identity. Pay attention to the bonus conditions: If the wagering requirements of a casino no deposit bonus have not yet been met, you cannot request a withdrawal. The money laundering laws also prescribe a closed money cycle. In practice, this means that you must receive your winnings using the same payment method as the deposit, at least up to the original amount. This can also delay a payout.
Registration in the online casino is completed within a few moments. Anyone who deposits with a fast payment method such as e-wallet, direct transfer or credit card can then play for real money immediately. Players are then again and again stunned why the "Know Your Customer" only seems to take effect when it comes to the payout.
The fact is that players have already accepted the terms and conditions by registering and have given an insurance of legal age. This fulfills the requirements for the protection of minors. With the deposit of real money, the online casino has received further information about the customer, depending on the payment method used. This information may even be sufficient for a payout. From a sum of € 2,000, the operator is obliged to provide additional documentation and must request detailed proof of identity in order to comply with money laundering laws.
You cannot play anonymously and legally for real money on the Internet. But there are actually online casinos that do not seem to require lengthy and cumbersome account verification from their customers. These operators do not even require registration: They are so-called no account casinos or casino sites without registration. The technical highlight is that proof of identity is provided together with the payment. During the payment process, the operator ensures that the player is of legal age and that the identity matches the information provided. In Germany, for example, this is possible with the Trustly payment method. On special casino sites without an account you can deposit, play and win and withdraw your winnings immediately without waiting.
So that everything works right away and the confirmation of your casino account runs quickly and smoothly, we have finally put together the following valuable information on proof of identity for internet gambling for you.
Above we have summarized step by step how the process typically works. However, you should absolutely follow the instructions and steps of the respective online casino and pay close attention to which documents are required.
The online casino may only use the documents submitted as part of the proof of identity for this purpose. The documents are uploaded via an encrypted connection. If you send a credit card statement or a bank statement instead of a utility bill, you can redact sensitive data. A salary statement or an employer certificate is none of the online casino's business.
Check everything before submitting the documents. Pay attention to legibility or visibility, file extensions and size as well as consistency of all data. A failed operation unnecessarily delays proof of identity.
You can verify your account at any time and don't have to wait to request a withdrawal. In this way, you can speed up the receipt of your winnings.
It is best to find out which terms and conditions apply before registering. The information on proof of identity and payments are important. Only play at reputable and trustworthy online casinos and register with providers that we recommend in our test reports.
If you want to confirm your casino account, you can digitize and upload or send the necessary documents within a few moments. Processing by customer service is quick and usually within the next 24 hours. In exceptional cases, the process can take several working days. We recommend that you complete the process as early as possible so that you don't have to wait for a withdrawal.
The European laws on protection against money laundering and terrorist financing provide for a legitimation and identity check for correspondingly high payments. In the online casino, proof of identity is definitely required for withdrawals of € 2,000 or more, but the operator can ensure that all requirements of the “Know Your Customer” principle are met, even for lower amounts. This does not mean that you as a player are accused of money laundering, but that the operator has to prove a closed money cycle.
The process requires a copy of your ID or passport and confirmation of your address, which is usually in the form of a utility bill. A copy of the card may be required for credit card payments. The documents can be sent digitally or uploaded. You will find instructions in the online casino, and we will explain the process step by step at the top of this page.
No, once you have provided proof of identity, you can initiate withdrawals without the process. Only if your personal data changes or you have not used your casino account for a long time, the process can be repeated.
In some cases you as a player have already sufficiently confirmed your identity via the payment method used and the online casino can arrange a lower payout without additional evidence. In addition, there are online casinos that do not require a customer account because all legitimation checks are carried out using the payment method. These casino sites are also called no account casinos or casinos without registration.
Yes, serious and trustworthy online casinos are bound by the EU requirements on transparency and data protection. All documents are transmitted via an encrypted connection and may only be used by the operator for proof of identity for account verification.