New customer ID check rules for UK online gambling operators

[MissExposé]

UK online gambling operators are facing tough new rules for verifying the age of their customers and restrictions on demanding further identification before processing customer withdrawals.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) released its new customer identity verification rules, which will take effect on May 7.

Operators will now have to verify name, address and date of birth of customers before allowing them to gamble, while any additional verification questions must be asked “promptly.” Customers must be informed about the type of identity documents or info that might be required, the circumstances under which this info might be required and the acceptable methods of supplying the operator with this info. Operators must also take “reasonable steps” to ensure the customer info they have on file remains accurate.

More info here: https://lcb.org/news/ukgc-implements-new-id-verification-rules-on-may-7th

 

[awesamko]

UK market seems to be overregulated already... This change may be good from the moral perspective but is not good for adult casino players and casinos in general.

"But to guard against the risk of children gambling, new rules mean operators must verify customer age before the customer can:

• deposit funds into an account"

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov....ine-gambling-in-Britain-fairer-and-safer.aspx

 

[NDG]

They want to protect the players, but they care nothing about the affiliates.

 

[the_dave]

TBH being able to take payments before verifying identity was a bit scammy. Frozen funds on the back of account verifications is one of the biggest player complaints out there.

 

[danniee]

This is actually one regulation I can stand behind though I think it's a bit ridiculous to ban access to free play demos, while at the same time there are hundreds of casino streams on children platforms out there (Twitch/Youtube). I honestly dont think free play is a problem whatsoever.

With that said, it's a bit sad to see all this demonising of gambling and what seems to be getting closer to over regulation.

 

[DaftDog]

They want to protect the players, but they care nothing about the affiliates.

Some regulation is good, imo, but too much would be a pain in the ass. Anyway, how would you provide protection to affiliates spread across numerous different countries?

 

[betclever]

This is to stop companies only requesting verification details when someone wants to make a big withdrawal.

There will be no issue with someone signing up on the day and depositing and making a bet.

However they will need to verify their account within 72 hours of their first deposit.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[NDG]

I'm not against checking a players ID before they can play. That is standard practice in land-based
casinos to check IDs when entering the casino if you look like you might be underage. I think some
of the other regulations with regard to animated characters, bonuses, etc.. is a bit too much.

You would provide protection for affiliates that are working with UK licensed brands, by creating regulations
that make sure that the casinos adhere to their terms & conditions, disclose more details about the revenue
generated by affiliates, don't shave commissions, don't create retro-active terms or close their affiliate program
after they've built up a player base from affiliates.. without some sort of compensation for affiliates .

It has nothing to do with where the affiliates are from. It's all about keeping their licensed brands
honest.. not just with players.. but also with affiliates or anyone else that needs to work with the casinos.

 

[danniee]

I honestly feel like there's a higher chance they'll ban affiliation marketing before they'll do anything to improve our situation unfortunately

 

[Biti]

I think it protects your player base also a bit. Most people are not going to send their documents to dozens of casinos but stick at a place to play if it's ok.

Like land-based, people stick in a casino if there's not another one within a few kilometers.

Accounts need to be verified anyway. Better do that upfront than having to return deposits later or have a hassle when it's about a payout.

UKGC sees it as its task to protect players, not to protect affiliates. I got the impression that authorities, but also many casinos do find affiliates just annoying.

I agree with the above. The chance that affiliate marketing will be banned is way higher than the chance that UKGC will help affiliates.

 

[KasinoKing]

I think it protects your player base also a bit. Most people are not going to send their documents to dozens of casinos but stick at a place to play if it's ok.

That is a VERY good point!

I think pre-deposit checks are a good idea.
Anything which reduces "fake" or under-age players has to be a good thing for everyone concerned.

KK

 

[BetOnlineUK]

I think pre-deposit checks are a good idea.

Absolutely, and in the long run I think it will deter bonus hunters from opening new accounts purely cause of the hassle they have to go thru to deposit. So the value of any new sign-ups to affiliates should in my eyes be better.

 

[baldidiot]

I'm guessing this bit means the end of demo games on affiliate sites (for UK players at least):

The new age-verification rules similarly apply to the free-to-play gambling products on operators’ websites. The UKGC acknowledges that these products “are not technically gambling” but holds the view that there’s “no legitimate reason” why such products should be available to minors.

 

[baldidiot]

I'm guessing this bit means the end of demo games on affiliate sites (for UK players at least):

Yep - just got this in my email from BV:

In light of the GB Gambling Commission?s (GBGC) recent warnings to operators around Free-to-Play (F2P) games, we require that any affiliate who offers F2P games on their website(s) must remove them with immediate effect.

Assuming others will follow suit soon.

 

[danniee]

Yep - just got this in my email from BV:

In light of the GB Gambling Commission?s (GBGC) recent warnings to operators around Free-to-Play (F2P) games, we require that any affiliate who offers F2P games on their website(s) must remove them with immediate effect.

Assuming others will follow suit soon.

Things are just getting more and more ridiculous in the UK. Why not ban gambling altogether and be done with it.

 

[baldidiot]

Getting a flood of these notices in now from different programs - must have been some kind of news or advisory that broke today.

 

[danniee]

Must say I have not received a single such request. I think this has been up for discussion on Casinomeister and there it was said that this only applies to gambling sites (operators, not affiliate sites). Can anyone point to whatever term from the UKGC that specifies that non operators need to remove demo games?

 

[baldidiot]

I've had notices from betvictor, 888, leovegas and bet365 so far. All quote the same letter they were sent by the UKGC:

"remote licensees must now ensure that they have verified the age of any customer before the customer can access the licensee's free-to-play (F2P) games."

 

[danniee]

Ok, received such mail from Shadowbet today which I don't work with anymore so it went to the trashbin. Still, it's probably time to adjust to the regulations. Question is how to interpret it. What do they require from us? Age verification? Surely it should be enough to have a confirmation box for visitors to confirm their age as is the case on developer sites and alcohol websites? Or do they want us to ask for passport and utility bill

 

[TheGooner]

Or do they want us to ask for passport and utility bill

Love the sarcasm - but honestly - what do you think you can really do if you want to retain UK affiliate programs?
Be careful playing with the affiliate groups - because they don't have much hesitation in removing an affiliate these days.

We simply removed our free play games as a response to this - even though they were not on UK facing sites.