Location vs country of residence for players KYC HELP

[jabbagabba]

Hi
I am a citizen of the US as per my ID/passport. However I spend maybe one month per year there the past few years. With online casinos it says “where you are” but I work remotely- it’s great and I am lucky to do so. I do not have a home in the US. All of my belongings are in storage. I go back maybe once or twice per year to see family and for business. Never for longer than a fortnight. BUT- my identification I use is my American passport. I do not have residency anywhere else to have ID. I spend most of my time in Asia and Brazil. I live primarily in homestays or hotels. I am always on 3 month visas which I cross the border to renew. Now most online casino sites terms technically state your jurisdiction. I only really play one and they are fine. But I questioned another and they said no I need ID from the country I am based in. Without residency this isn’t possible. This also makes me nervous as I have an account with money in it at another that never asked my name or country and I have not used a VPN there- there’s only $1000 in the account but what if they ask for KYC and reject my withdrawal? I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

[rat03gopoh]

I'm not a representative of any casino, but I sometimes see how users face problems with different geolocations with proof of identity. Usually casinos ask for livecheckness, utility costs or accommodation bills of the last 1 to 3 months and such. Maybe a hotel receipt is accepted, but remember it's not a universal standard. Even a casino representative's statement should not be considered a guarantee that verification will proceed as such. You need to mention the name of the casino where other users may have been in the same situation.

[LordShanken]

Hi
I am a citizen of the US as per my ID/passport. However I spend maybe one month per year there the past few years. With online casinos it says “where you are” but I work remotely- it’s great and I am lucky to do so. I do not have a home in the US. All of my belongings are in storage. I go back maybe once or twice per year to see family and for business. Never for longer than a fortnight. BUT- my identification I use is my American passport. I do not have residency anywhere else to have ID. I spend most of my time in Asia and Brazil. I live primarily in homestays or hotels. I am always on 3 month visas which I cross the border to renew. Now most online casino sites terms technically state your jurisdiction. I only really play one and they are fine. But I questioned another and they said no I need ID from the country I am based in. Without residency this isn’t possible. This also makes me nervous as I have an account with money in it at another that never asked my name or country and I have not used a VPN there- there’s only $1000 in the account but what if they ask for KYC and reject my withdrawal? I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

When I moved a few years ago - for example, between England and Spain - the site automatically blocked my access the moment I crossed the border. I don't have experience in North or South America, but it seems to me that it should depend on where you are, not what passport you're using. After all, just because someone lives in a country where gambling is fully legal doesn't mean that if they travel to a country where it's illegal, it will be legal for them. It's just that in your case, the logic works the other way around.

Maybe you could try proving this with a bank account, for example, or cell phone bills.

[Hispo]

If a casino asks you to prove your status and current jurisdiction it is likely they will ask you for some formal document which could prove you are legally residing in other country which is not the United States.
I believe it would be enough if you have proof of your legal entry and stay in the country. Though, it is not a standard which is universally shared through all casinos on the internet.
The passport only prooves you are a citizen of the United States, so it does not serve any purpose, unless you could use your seals of entry as part of proof of residency.

I would advice you to check terms of service of the casino you are gambling on and get in touch with a representative of such casino, so you can clear your doubts.
Being a tourist and being a resident are two completely different status, and it could be interpreted differently by some casinos, so they can shield themselves from sanctions of regulators...

[jabbagabba]

I am looking here for my rights first as I am worried based on things I have read that this casino loves an excuse. I messaged 3 random casino support chats I am not members of and they said well one it would be up to support another say no and another that they don't know. Yet all their terms are the same. It says "opening an account and playing from a jurisdiction" I want to know my rights here hence asking for advice. To be transparent yes I have been asked to KYC for this withdrawal and I know its going to be a problem. Although I have not left where I am since opening the account 6 weeks ago.

[angrybirdy]

Hi
I am a citizen of the US as per my ID/passport. However I spend maybe one month per year there the past few years. With online casinos it says “where you are” but I work remotely- it’s great and I am lucky to do so. I do not have a home in the US. All of my belongings are in storage. I go back maybe once or twice per year to see family and for business. Never for longer than a fortnight. BUT- my identification I use is my American passport. I do not have residency anywhere else to have ID. I spend most of my time in Asia and Brazil. I live primarily in homestays or hotels. I am always on 3 month visas which I cross the border to renew. Now most online casino sites terms technically state your jurisdiction. I only really play one and they are fine. But I questioned another and they said no I need ID from the country I am based in. Without residency this isn’t possible. This also makes me nervous as I have an account with money in it at another that never asked my name or country and I have not used a VPN there- there’s only $1000 in the account but what if they ask for KYC and reject my withdrawal? I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

Well I think the biggest issue isn't your citizenship, it's whether the casino can verify that you're eligible to play from the country you are physically in. Since you do not have a permanent residency anywhere, you're in a bit of a gray area. If I were in your position, I will avoid keeping large balances on sites until I knew exactly what documents they will accept for KYC. the hotel bookings, visa stamps, and bank transactions might be helpful but every casino has its own rules. It would be good if more casino representatives clarified how they handle long-term travelers and digital nomads because this situation is becoming much more common.

[jabbagabba]

Hi
I am a citizen of the US as per my ID/passport. However I spend maybe one month per year there the past few years. With online casinos it says “where you are” but I work remotely- it’s great and I am lucky to do so. I do not have a home in the US. All of my belongings are in storage. I go back maybe once or twice per year to see family and for business. Never for longer than a fortnight. BUT- my identification I use is my American passport. I do not have residency anywhere else to have ID. I spend most of my time in Asia and Brazil. I live primarily in homestays or hotels. I am always on 3 month visas which I cross the border to renew. Now most online casino sites terms technically state your jurisdiction. I only really play one and they are fine. But I questioned another and they said no I need ID from the country I am based in. Without residency this isn’t possible. This also makes me nervous as I have an account with money in it at another that never asked my name or country and I have not used a VPN there- there’s only $1000 in the account but what if they ask for KYC and reject my withdrawal? I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

Well I think the biggest issue isn't your citizenship, it's whether the casino can verify that you're eligible to play from the country you are physically in. Since you do not have a permanent residency anywhere, you're in a bit of a gray area. If I were in your position, I will avoid keeping large balances on sites until I knew exactly what documents they will accept for KYC. the hotel bookings, visa stamps, and bank transactions might be helpful but every casino has its own rules. It would be good if more casino representatives clarified how they handle long-term travelers and digital nomads because this situation is becoming much more common.

Oh best believe I will turn it into a sh*t storm if they try get out of paying me.

[Cointxz]

Hi
I am a citizen of the US as per my ID/passport.

I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

Depending on the casino TOS you are playing. Some casino restrict based on jurisdiction while other casino restrict both citizenships and jurisdictions.

However, since it’s an online casino most of the time you will have trouble completing KYC in case you are truly on this situation since you will need proof of residency on your current country and so on which might be hard to provide on some cases.

You should indicate the specific casino and most importantly you can ask this question directly on casino live support.

[stompix]

This also makes me nervous as I have an account with money in it at another that never asked my name or country and I have not used a VPN there- there’s only $1000 in the account but what if they ask for KYC and reject my withdrawal?

Here is the thing, if that casino asks for KYC after claiming to be a no KYC casino, you're screwed!
I've seen it hundreds of times, they trigger this "verification" not to verify you but to find a way not to pay you!

Anyhow, it all comes to the casino itself:
- do they allow US citzens to play? (Remember, no matter where you are, you're still a us citizen)
- do they allow players from the country where you reside?
- aside from that passport, do you have anything on your name, like bank account, some proof of living legally where you are

So, better to name that casino if you want to actually get honest opinions on the matter!

[Free Market Capitalist]

I’m not 100% sure how it works at cryptocurrency casinos, and as some of my colleagues have pointed out, it will likely depend on the casino, but for fiat casinos, what matters is your tax residence—the country where you pay your taxes. So, if you’re traveling frequently and want to access the casino, you’ll have to contact them directly—though you won’t get a solution in 100% of cases. For example, if you’re required to gamble within U.S. jurisdiction and you travel to France, which blocks all such sites there, you won’t be able to gamble even if you have a valid reason.

But you're leaving too many details out of your explanation; something doesn't sit right with me.

Here is the thing, if that casino asks for KYC after claiming to be a no KYC casino, you're screwed!

 

He never said the casino claimed to be a no KYC casino and 99% of them nowadays have some KYC clause on their ToS.

So, better to name that casino if you want to actually get honest opinions on the matter!

I agree.

[Agbe]

A fairness casino will not stress it players with a cumbersome documentation (KYC).  A simple utility bill, or residential address is okay to do any documentation in a casino. Op before you use any casino, you have to check the Terms and Conditions. And restrictions areas to know if the documents in your possession are good to do KYC. And use mainly cryptocurrency casinos. Casinos should not use KYC to stress gamblers because it only to know the identity of the player and not to make things difficult for gamblers. KYC shall not be a weapon casinos shall use to trouble gamblers. Op check casinos before you register.

[noorman0]

I messaged 3 random casino support chats I am not members of and they said well one it would be up to support another say no and another that they don't know. Yet all their terms are the same. It says "opening an account and playing from a jurisdiction" I want to know my rights here hence asking for advice. To be transparent yes I have been asked to KYC for this withdrawal and I know its going to be a problem. Although I have not left where I am since opening the account 6 weeks ago.

Chat support only provides template answers. It's clear that casinos have separate compliance departments behind the screen, and the reality is often more complicated for large withdrawals. By the way, what makes you doubt this will be a problem? Did you read their Terms of Service before signing up?

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I would love some clarification from casino reps around this please as I can prove where I am. But only with hotel receipts, bank transactions, entry stamps on my passport and visas. Any input would be appreciated please

See, I am not here to judge you, at all I won't do that but I honestly think that that same money you spend staying or living in hotels is much more than enough to spend on renting an apartment and saving yourself from future troubles with casino, you can rent an apartment even if it's for one year, and use that to get an ID from the country.

But the above aside, first, we don't know the casino you are talking about as you didn't mention their name, but I believe you should be able to tell if that casino is genuine or not, if its a casino you really trust, then why not? Contact their customer support directly and have this discussion with them and see what they think, because as you should, different casinos have different rules especially when it concerns KYC, learn what the rule of KYC on the casino you are playing is, suggestion here might fall out of line with the rules of the casino in question.

[davis196]

My advice would be to just keep gambling, have fun and just spend all the 1000 USD in your account balance. That way you won't be bothered dealing with withdrawals and KYC(if the casino asks for KYC before withdrawal), but that's just me. I have doubts about some crypto casinos having customers supports representatives, that are competent enough to answer your questions. Is your current casino(the one in which you have 1K account balance) OK with you providing US ID card photos and non-US proof of address? I don't see any problem with someone having a citizenship in one country and living in another country to use online casinos, but some online casinos are acting sketchy and they are just looking for an excuse to block your account.

[maydna]

No reason to use other casinos to playing gambling as that can trigger KYC and stick to the casino you used before.

If I were you, I will not bother searching for other casinos and cause me a problem so I will only use one casino to play gambling which is fine for me.

If you still forcing to use other casinos, I just worry you will get a problem. Perhaps you can ask the casino supports to know better answers and finds the casino that let you to verify yourself without giving you trouble.

[ultraBTC]

Residency is the primary factor. If it were the other way around - for example, if you were temporarily playing from another country while on holiday - that's less of an issue.

Did you explain the situation to the casino in question? And if so, was it before or after playing, or is this only coming up now after the KYC request? If they were informed upfront and accepted it, that's a much stronger position for you. If not, I wouldn't hold my breath, since it's literally written in almost every online casino T&C.

At the moment, anyway, it's difficult to judge without knowing which casino is in question. But since you're from the USA, your options are already pretty limited.

Good luck though.

[Ronsbit]

OP, I am not a casino representative, but I think my little opinion can go a long way if you look into it. Crossing borders sometimes could be very challenging when it comes to casino matters, because there would be discrepancies in geolocation, which triggers the security system of the casino to monitor your activities and the possibility of your account being put on the watchlist or being temporarily suspended.

It is always advised that players should not leave a huge amount of money under the custody of any third-party platforms because they have no access to the keys of the assets, and by such act, those assets are not theirs, as the casino is fully in charge of it and they decide what to do with it, and even decide whether to give the owner or not at any point in time.

There were some questions ultraBTC asked you, which I think should have been possible to fall back on whenever issues of geolocation come up, because that would help you to ease the tension for the moment, till you get back to your base. Maybe you should try to explain to the casinos you register with about your activities, in case, in the future, you do not have anything to worry about.