Casinos forcing KYC after big wins, legal or scammy?

[len01]

This kind of problem has happened frequently, but from what I know, if it happens at a reputable casino and the gambler isn't cheating, it's not a problem. On the other hand, most of the popular, reputable casinos on this forum require gamblers to complete KYC before placing a bet, or at least KYC level 1. So KYC issues are probably becoming a thing of the past.

Maybe if it happened to me at a reputable casino, I would. But if it happened at a new casino, I'd refuse to do it and forfeit my winnings.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I think the assurances that the casino does not ask for KYC are just one of the advertising moves. Big wins do not happen often, but in any casino, you can always face a request to pass KYC. Therefore, you should not be surprised; I would not rudely deal with the support, explaining to them my rights, since in any case, the choice of payment or refusal will be up to the casino. The casino is naturally not interested in a quick withdrawal of money, hoping to continue the game and thereby leaving the entire amount in their accounts. Therefore, they will ask for documents and dig into the history, hoping to catch on to an error that can be presented to the player. Is this legal? Of course not. Therefore, licensed casinos with a reputation are, one way or another, more reliable than all new casinos just starting their business.

[maydna]

That is normal. They don't want to let their money go to the gamblers. So they impose KYC on those winners and fill many requirements that feel difficult to fill. But that will not happen to reputable and trusted casinos because that means they can lose their members and be flagged as a scam casino. They should explain that in their T&C so people can read and understand the rules before they register. I don't know if that is a legal safeguard but if they don't write that in their T&C, that is abusing the rules and gamblers should not use those casinos.

[Amphenomenon]

They often have a card to use in their TOS, maybe stating they have right to change their TOS at anytime or some might state when they can request KYC from customer, which some may even say at anytime but if the customer do not go through it carefully, they won't see this and miss out thinking the casino is fully non-kyc.

Which is illegal anyhow, Casinos could write whatever they want in the ToS that doesn't mean a thing in court.
They could for example, add that in case of multiple winnings, they will only pay in cash at their home office, so if you win over 10k, you need to fly to Curacao, would that be legal just because they wrote it in their ToS?  

Yea it also depends on what the court accept but is this not depending on the region where the casino is registered?

There are schemes which they may be able to pull off under some regions which will be favorable to them and in other regions not going to go pretty well in their favor. Some go for every means to earn not just profit finding loophole and other means to get customers money acting shady/scamming to them.

[bitterguy28]

I’ve noticed some scam accusation posts against certain casinos, and there seems to be a trend here.

Some casinos advertise themselves as KYC-free, but the moment you win big, that’s when they suddenly put all the requirements on you. And it’s not just basic KYC, they ask for heavy documents like passports, and some even request bank account details.

are they not supposed to be doing this BEFOREHAND? they can’t just spring this on a customer because the customers has to be informed before they even start playing otherwise they are withdrawing information from their customers which is probably something against legality

[TopT3ns]

That is normal. They don't want to let their money go to the gamblers. So they impose KYC on those winners and fill many requirements that feel difficult to fill. But that will not happen to reputable and trusted casinos because that means they can lose their members and be flagged as a scam casino. They should explain that in their T&C so people can read and understand the rules before they register. I don't know if that is a legal safeguard but if they don't write that in their T&C, that is abusing the rules and gamblers should not use those casinos.

This identity verification process may be hectic, whereas there should be security to the system against illegal practises. The actual variation is in the manner in which the casino executes it either openly at the beginning or by concealing the rules. When a casino can be trusted, these rules are normally well outlined to limit the chances of misconception. On the other hand, when new conditions are introduced in situations where players attempt to draw winnings, then it implies unfair acts and cannot be disregarded. This vagueness can be termed as power abuse by the operator. Users will be more critical as they will only rely on the casinos that are constant and clear regarding their policies. It also reduces chances of loss and the gaming experience will not result in a feeling of being cheated or negatively affected as would occur with other games.

[GreatArkansas]

That is normal. They don't want to let their money go to the gamblers. So they impose KYC on those winners and fill many requirements that feel difficult to fill. But that will not happen to reputable and trusted casinos because that means they can lose their members and be flagged as a scam casino. They should explain that in their T&C so people can read and understand the rules before they register. I don't know if that is a legal safeguard but if they don't write that in their T&C, that is abusing the rules and gamblers should not use those casinos.

I can agree to this.

Another thing I can say is that it also depends on the terms of service of the casino platform. For sure, some users who are just signing up are not reading this. They fill out and sign up.
But for me, if this is on the terms of service of the casino platform, then for me, they have the right to ask for KYC or lock your account if you don't comply.

[joniboini]

But for me, if this is on the terms of service of the casino platform, then for me, they have the right to ask for KYC or lock your account if you don't comply.

To be fair, some ToS can be ambiguous and hard to read. That being said, if notification is what we need, they can simply put a big info saying they can demand KYC at any given time. I'm sure most users will still accept that term simply because they wanted to win and get money, but they'll still get frustrated if the demand for their data or the process is just too long and complicated to the point where it feels like they don't want to honor their winning.

[goldkingcoiner]

I’ve noticed some scam accusation posts against certain casinos, and there seems to be a trend here.

Some casinos advertise themselves as KYC-free, but the moment you win big, that’s when they suddenly put all the requirements on you. And it’s not just basic KYC, they ask for heavy documents like passports, and some even request bank account details.

So I’m wondering, is this really a legal safeguard, or are they just using it as their own policy to forfeit players’ winnings?
This is actually a serious concern. Most of us might not have reached that level yet, but what if one day we do hit it big and end up facing the same situation?

They may advertise as KYC-free but if you look into their terms and conditions, it is always the opposite. KYC-Free is just a marketing tactic.

As I understand it, casinos have to legally check who they give (large sums of) money. Otherwise they could get into big trouble with regulators when they are asked for a paper trail. It has to do with anti money-laundering and anti terrorist-funding. It would make sense for them to only do KYC for accounts that withdraw large amounts of profit rather than every account. Less work for them.

Why not just do KYC beforehand?

[Die_empty]

They may advertise as KYC-free but if you look into their terms and conditions, it is always the opposite. KYC-Free is just a marketing tactic.

As I understand it, casinos have to legally check who they give (large sums of) money. Otherwise they could get into big trouble with regulators when they are asked for a paper trail. It has to do with anti money-laundering and anti terrorist-funding. It would make sense for them to only do KYC for accounts that withdraw large amounts of profit rather than every account. Less work for them.

Why not just do KYC beforehand?

Some casinos would gladly accept offering non-KYC services. But they are forced to ask for identification because of government regulations. The government sees the casinos as a channel for money laundering and terrorist financing. Casinos also asked for KYC to avoid cheating and misuse of bonuses and other privileges. I doubt if there are any registered or licensed non-KYC casinos available in my location. Any gambler who wants to have a hassle-free gambling experience should just be ready for KYC.

[woez]

Usually, loyal players will choose a site that's KYC-free and hassle-free. But I also think this is why, before actually playing, it's best to browse their menus if it's online and we can chat with them about deposit and withdrawal mechanisms.

The incident you described is also often heard when someone wins big and requires strict verification to be able to cash out their winnings from the site. If the requirements are met and complete, it might be possible. If even one item is missing from what they ask, don't expect the funds to land in your account. They want to keep coming in and don't want to lose. It's best to avoid playing there and choose another place that is more comfortable and transparent.

[8rch7]

Some casinos would gladly accept offering non-KYC services. But they are forced to ask for identification because of government regulations. The government sees the casinos as a channel for money laundering and terrorist financing. Casinos also asked for KYC to avoid cheating and misuse of bonuses and other privileges. I doubt if there are any registered or licensed non-KYC casinos available in my location. Any gambler who wants to have a hassle-free gambling experience should just be ready for KYC.

Many casino have tos of service about non KYC if your account dominance loss than win, regulation suddenly change if you got jackpot and huge amount of winning for withdrawing all. If keep continue to play without withdraw maybe not problem your account still non KYC but if want withdraw all winning fund from usually withdrawal instant will process manual until have upload document ID. Its risk if any casino restrict user from specific country will difficult for withdrawing their fund.
I agree your ideas who ever the gamble indeed the ToS gambling site allow for non KYC but must ready for verifying document ID, read detail all regulation of casino are your country restrict or not if some time asking for KYC.

[stompix]

~

Yea it also depends on what the court accept but is this not depending on the region where the casino is registered?

There are schemes which they may be able to pull off under some regions which will be favorable to them and in other regions not going to go pretty well in their favor. Some go for every means to earn not just profit finding loophole and other means to get customers money acting shady/scamming to them.

That's why if you live in a jurisdiction with crappy law enforcement, it's a complete mistake to play on a shady platform that has stupid malicious ToS in the first place, forget the ToS, even your absolute rights will be thrown in the garbage bin, so at least stick with something that is at least registered in the said country. If that is not possible, try your luck with a casino that is licensed in countries where a license actually means something, like the UK.
Also, never forget:
Do you know your rights as a gambler?

[freedomgo]

Why not just do KYC beforehand?

there was a topic before about this.

so i have account in fortunejack since years
never did kyc
......

This particular casino rejected the user’s request to do an advance KYC before depositing $1k. The user was just trying to make sure he would pass KYC before playing with a decent amount, but the casino refused. So maybe some casinos will allow or even require KYC before gambling, but clearly there are also those that don’t.

[Strongkored]

So I’m wondering, is this really a legal safeguard, or are they just using it as their own policy to forfeit players’ winnings?
This is actually a serious concern. Most of us might not have reached that level yet, but what if one day we do hit it big and end up facing the same situation?

It could be that the casino is acting shady, but it could also be doing it with good intentions. It all depends on the casino's reputation. I mean, a big reputable casino will maintain a good reputation, so when they ask for KYC, there's a good reason for it. However, new casinos might be suspicious, but among all of them, there are almost no non-KYC casinos. Players will find it difficult to find a casino that doesn't ask for KYC at all.

And I have experienced that with accusations of multiple accounts even though I didn't do that, in the end I chose to let go of the money because I didn't want to do KYC which requires showing my face.

[Eternad]

Why not just do KYC beforehand?

there was a topic before about this.

so i have account in fortunejack since years
never did kyc
......

This particular casino rejected the user’s request to do an advance KYC before depositing $1k. The user was just trying to make sure he would pass KYC before playing with a decent amount, but the casino refused. So maybe some casinos will allow or even require KYC before gambling, but clearly there are also those that don’t.

You’re correct, some casino doesn’t allowed early KYC unless asked by them already since they just use it whenever a player already hit the deposit limit for non-KYC account or to verify for possible irregularities that involves other user.

There’s no changes if the KYC was done before or after if your account was committed an action that will trigger KYC and investigation.

However, there’s some scammy casino that use KYC to freeze withdrawal and avoid payment to users.

[boltz]

How can it be scammy ? It's legal 100% and most of casino do this as soon as someone hits a big win and it's perfectly normal to do so and also they can close your account so make sure everytime you join a casino , you read their terms&conditions. 

It can be scammy if you used a real shady casino with a very weak license and stuff...because a high trusted casino will never do this.

[$crypto$]

How can it be scammy ? It's legal 100% and most of casino do this as soon as someone hits a big win and it's perfectly normal to do so and also they can close your account so make sure everytime you join a casino , you read their terms&conditions. 

It can be scammy if you used a real shady casino with a very weak license and stuff...because a high trusted casino will never do this.

On average, casinos have players who win large amounts, especially new players, so casinos will usually implement KYC—this is normal as casinos already have rules in their terms and conditions, so they need to read them.

For me, it's not strange for casinos to force you to implement KYC after a big win, this is already common practice.

Just use casinos that already have a good reputation and are responsive to complaints.

[mak013]

How can it be scammy ? It's legal 100% and most of casino do this as soon as someone hits a big win and it's perfectly normal to do so and also they can close your account so make sure everytime you join a casino , you read their terms&conditions. 

It can be scammy if you used a real shady casino with a very weak license and stuff...because a high trusted casino will never do this.

On average, casinos have players who win large amounts, especially new players, so casinos will usually implement KYC—this is normal as casinos already have rules in their terms and conditions, so they need to read them.

For me, it's not strange for casinos to force you to implement KYC after a big win, this is already common practice.

Just use casinos that already have a good reputation and are responsive to complaints.

But why they don`t KYC us when we lose?
I agree - it is in ToS and we have to agree with it if we want to play. But the same time today we have no choice - such clause is in the main part of ToSes. And i think that it is a kind of cheating. It would be more fair to KYC during the registration. They deposit money instantly and without any KYC, so i want to get my money instantly too. 

[r_victory]

If a casino has to comply with any legal requirement, it will certainly ask you to go through KYC at some point. Serious casinos "want" to be regulated; this avoids problems for them; after all, they are businesses and want to remain profitable and in business. And we should consider that it's an extra layer of security for us customers; if there's an issue, we can demand our rights and have someone to turn to. A casino that doesn't require such verification, isn't regulated, could disappear from the internet at any moment, taking your money with it. So, I believe that if you don't owe anything, have nothing to hide, and your money is legal, don't worry about this detail. The trend is for all casinos and companies that provide financial services in some way to require KYC.