In the UK, licensed online gambling operators are required to follow very strict guidelines that are dictated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Failure to do so can result in heavy fines and or the loss of their licenses.
One of the guidelines operators are supposed to adhere to is the verification of each and every customer’s identity during account registration. The UKGC deems this to be a vital part of an online gambling site’s relationship with gamblers. What the UKGC wants operators to verify is the age and area of residence of each gambler.
This information is intended to play a role in making sure kids aren’t gambling and gamblers aren’t using stolen money to support their gambling activities. The information is also necessary because the UKGC is trying to track self-excluded problem gamblers by name.
Given how strict these guidelines can be, there are a large number of online casinos that choose to simply bypass the verification process. Why? The restrictive nature of the UKGC’s mandate sometimes interferes with new customers coming aboard because they want anonymity.
The Primary Reason UK Online Gamblers Want Anonymity
In some countries, online casino gamblers want anonymity as a means of avoiding the “tax-man.” That’s not an issue in the UK because gambling winnings are not subject to income tax.
For UK online gamblers, the main reason some gamblers want anonymity is because of the fact they are looking for a way to get around the GamStop Self-Exclusion scheme. What is the GamStop Scheme?
The UKGC requires that all licensed online casinos and sportsbooks be subscribed to the GamStop scheme. The program was specifically developed as a way for problem gamblers to get help with their online gambling issues. The help comes in the form of them asking their favorite UK online gambling sites to deny them access to any and all gambling websites.
Here is how the GamStop program works. The registration process is free for gamblers. They also get to dictate how long they want to be excluded from visiting their favorite online casinos and sportsbook. Here’s the problem. The program really does work. When a UK casino gambler registers with GamStop, they are immediately blocked from using any licensed UK casinos and sportsbooks that are subscribed to the program.
Since the program works so well, it leaves gamblers stuck without access to online casinos and sportsbooks until their self-exclusion period ends. That doesn’t go over well for online gamblers who have a change of heart and want to resume their online gambling activities. When the operators say no, online gamblers have to either accept no or look for non-GamStop alternatives.
Note: For anyone GamStop gambler who might be looking for a way to beat their self-exclusion, Casino-Wise.com casinos with no verification UK procedure would be a viable option with one caveat, which is mentioned below.
That brings us to why there are lots of UK online gamblers who want anonymity. They want to resume their gambling activities but can’t if their identity is exposed by a GamStop subscribed online gambling operator.
How Do Online Casinos Get Past the Account Verification Process Requirement?
There are two types of online casinos that will go with a low to no account verification process policy for new customers.
The first type of no verification online casinos are the ones that choose to operate in the UK without a legitimate operator’s license. While that’s a big no-no in the eyes of the UKGC, rogue online gambling operators don’t really care about the rules. They care about drawing new customers even if new customers are registered with GamStop.
The other type of no verification online casino is the licensed casino that simply decides they aren’t going to verify customer information, at least until customers decide to make withdrawals. Therein lies the caveat.
No verification online casinos have no problem allowing anonymous online casino players to have access to playing games after making anonymous deposits. However, they always want proof of ID before they allow withdrawals.
What Happens When It’s Time for an Unverified Gambler to Make Withdrawals?
When customers make withdrawals, they are usually doing so because they have won money. Online casinos have an aversion to winners. That’s why they do all they can to make withdrawing money so difficult.
Yes, unverified online gamblers do win money. When they try to make withdrawals, casino employees have no way of knowing whether or not the person trying to make a withdrawal is really the account holder. It’s at that point that casino employees have to verify the information they didn’t verify as part of the registration process.
If you registered with a no verification online casino operator, you too will face this dilemma should you win money and want to withdraw it. You will not be permitted to withdraw funds until you provide some kind of proof of your identity.
Remember, they have your money, and you want it. If compliance is the only way to get your money, you will have to comply with whatever is requested. You will have to offer identity proof they want.
According to the online gambling community, a passport, a utility bill with your name on it, and proof of ownership of the payment method being used are the minimum requirements. If by chance you can’t produce any of these documents, you might not get paid.
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