USAHow To Pass the KYC Process at Online Gambling Sites
The KYC process at online casinos, sportsbooks, and sweepstakes sites can be uncomfortable, but it’s a legal requirement(1) that everyone must be prepared for. This is a guide to preparing and submitting the necessary documentation.
Different KYC Checks and Necessary Documentation to Provide
A thorough KYC process would require players to do one or more of the following depending on the operators’ request.
1. Proof of Identity: Scanning and Uploading Either of the Following Documents
- US Driver’s License: The card's name must match the name you used when signing up.
- EEA Member State Identity Card.
- US Passport.
- SSN OR ITIN - taxpayer identification number(2).
- US military photo identification card - Common Access Card(3).
Other forms of documentation which may be accepted:
Employee Identity Card (only for listed or public sector companies) or University Card.
2. Proof of US Residency: Scanning and Uploading Either of the Following Documents
- US Driver’s License - The card's address must match the address you stated when signing up.
- Property tax bills or letters from the IRS from last year.
- An original lease or rental agreement in your and the landlord's names, including signatures.
- Bank statements where your address and name are present will be accepted. “Neo bank” statements will not be accepted; it has to be a local “brick-and-mortar” bank.
- Utility Bill (Gas, electricity, etc.)
- First-class mail from any government agency stating your name and address.
Other forms of documentation which may be accepted:
Utility Bill, Council Tax Bill, Bank Statement, House or Car Insurance Certificate, House Deed, or Lease Agreement with three months’ worth of rent receipts.
3. Proving Source of Funds - Triggered When Making Large Deposits or Withdrawals
- A bank statement showing the funds in your bank account with an explanation of where the funds originate;
- Employer contract.
- Recent payslip.
Submitting KYC Documentation to the Operator
After collecting the requested KYC documents, you can submit them via the website or mobile application. A specific section and process for uploading your documentation can be accessed.
Sometimes, operators ask you to provide KYC documentation through email. We advise caution when submitting over email, as nearly all email services lack adequate encryption that ensures 100% safety. Ideally, a serious operator should have a specific user flow with adequate security measures in place for KYC documentation.
A Word of Caution About Sensitive Financial Information
A potential red flag is when an operator asks for debit or credit card information. You may be asked to provide a photo of the front of your bank card.
Usually, this information isn’t necessary, as other less sensitive supporting documentation suffices in all situations.
Furthermore, submitting bank card information over email, live chat, or instant messaging goes against PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Digital Security Standards) guidelines(4).
Furthermore, submitting bank card information over email is typically a policy breach against your card issuer. If payment details are requested, contest the request, only provide photocopies where essential details are blurred, and refer to the fact that such procedure goes against general guidelines around handling sensitive financial information.
Wait For Confirmation and Potential Follow-Up
After your submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgment of successful submission. After that, depending on the operator, their KYC team will go through your documents and either ask for complementary documents or accept or deny your KYC submission.
The KYC process can take two working days to one week or more.
“During our testing of gambling sites and sweepstakes casinos, we’ve found that the standards of KYC verification are much higher in real money online casinos and sports betting sites. There are dedicated secure flows and the processing times align with what the operator promises. Sweepstakes, on the other hand, tend to take longer. It’s not uncommon that a sweepstakes operator takes 7-14 days to process your KYC request. We’ve also encountered several sweepstakes casinos that only do KYC verification over email, which is far from ideal.”
Patrik Lidin, Gambling Expert
Follow-Up KYC Checks
KYC isn’t just a one-time event. Gambling sites may request new verification documents any time they detect changes in your account or activity patterns.
Expect a KYC request when:
- You sign up with a new gambling site.
- You deposit or withdraw over a certain threshold.
- You update personal information like your name, address, or banking details.
- Your account has unusual or flagged activity (e.g., large or irregular deposits).
- Your occupation or source of funds changes.
- Your play behavior changes, such as suddenly wagering higher amounts or playing more frequently.
In general, any company that facilitates financial transactions must conduct KYC when new information or risk factors are linked to a customer’s account. That includes licensed gambling operators, sweepstakes casinos, and real money sportsbooks.
KYC Troubleshooting Common Problems
It’s possible to fail the KYC process. Most often this relates to not providing documents according to the specifications. The following are some of the more common reasons why KYC fails:
Failing to follow Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures can result in rejection of the verification process. Some common examples where individuals may fail KYC checks due to not following the instructions on document submission include:
- Providing Incorrect Documents: Instead of submitting a government-issued ID like a passport or driver’s license, you submit a social media profile picture or student ID, which may not be considered an acceptable form of identification.
- Submitting Expired Documents: You submit an expired passport or driver’s license, which cannot be accepted for identity verification. Only valid, unexpired documents are typically accepted.
- Uploading Blurry or Low-Quality Images: You submit a photo of your ID that is too blurry or unclear, making it difficult for the system to verify your identity details, such as your name, date of birth, or ID number.
- Mismatching Information Between Documents and the KYC Application: You fill in your application with one name (e.g., a nickname or a variation of your legal name) but submit a formal ID with a different name or different spelling. The mismatch will cause the KYC to fail.
- Submitting Incomplete Documents: You submit a scanned copy of only the front of your ID card, whereas both front and back are required for verification.
- Providing Documents in a Non-Approved Format: The instructions require a PDF or JPEG format, but you submit documents in a non-standard format like TIFF or BMP, which the system cannot process.
- Failure to Provide Proof of Address: When asked to provide a utility bill as proof of address, you must submit a bill older than the allowed period (e.g., older than 3 months) or provide a bank statement that doesn't contain a full residential address.
- Not Submitting All Required Documents: The KYC process asks for a government-issued ID and proof of address, but you only provide one and neglect the other.
- Submitting Altered or Edited Documents: You submit photoshopped or edited versions of your documents, even if the changes are minor or superficial (such as cropping), leading to suspicion that the document has been tampered with.
- Not Following the Correct Selfie/Photo Requirements: The KYC process may ask you to take a selfie while holding your ID next to your face for identity matching. The verification will likely fail if you take a selfie without the ID or if the photo is unclear (poor lighting, face not fully visible).
- Not Including Translations (When Required): If the submitted document is in a language not accepted by the KYC system and you don’t provide an official translation, the document may be rejected.
- Ignoring State-Specific Document Requirements: In some cases, certain documents may be specific to certain states. For instance, a national passport might not be accepted for a state-specific online casino that requires a state-specific ID.
Follow the instructions precisely to maximize your chances of clearing the KYC process on time. If you’re unlucky, the failure to submit documents correctly is seen as a red flag, and the operator takes precautionary measures when they ask for additional, complementary documentation. The longer it takes for you to clear the KYC, the longer it will take to withdraw funds or redeem coins.
The Purpose of Know Your Customer Processes
All gambling sites and sweepstakes casinos in the United States conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) processes at one point or another. KYC identifies and verifies the client’s (your) identity and proves the source of funds deposited onto the platform.
KYC checks are done to establish player identity to:
- Prevent money laundering.
- Prevent fraud.
- Counter underage gaming.
- Comply with license requirements.
- Practice responsible gaming.
- Establish trust and credibility.
KYC in Real Money Gambling Sites and Sweepstakes Sites
Various stages when KYC is triggered where you must submit KYC documentation to keep access or carry out an action:
| Real Money Gambling Sites | Sweepstakes Sites |
|---|---|
| Registration | Registration |
| Deposit | Coin purchase |
| Withdrawal | Redemptions |
| Optional KYC whenever you want | Optional KYC whenever you want |
FAQ KYC Process at Online Casinos
KYC (Know Your Customer) verifies a customer's identity to prevent fraud and assess risk. AML (Anti-Money Laundering) is the broader legal framework for detecting and preventing financial crimes like money laundering and terrorism financing. KYC is a critical part of AML compliance. It verifies that each user is legitimate and not using the platform for illegal purposes. The exact AML laws can vary depending on the country or jurisdiction.
Yes, all reputable and legitimate US gambling sites will require you to be KYC-verified. It’s a part of license requirements and local laws.
US online casinos and sports betting sites use third-party companies specializing in KYC processes. Examples of such companies include Onfido, Sumsub, and Trulioo.
Avoiding KYC in licensed US gambling sites and reputable sweepstakes casinos is impossible. The only option is so-called “no KYC casinos,” which we advise you to avoid. Online gambling sites that allow you to gamble anonymously without KYC don’t have the required license and operate illegally.
Resources and Sources
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Know Your Customer (KYC) Requirements, accessed on April 1, 2025, <https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/docs/BestPractices/KnowYourCustomerBestPractices.pdf>
- Information about Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), accessed on April 1, 2025, <https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin>
- Information about Common Access Card (CAC), accessed on March 26, 2025, <https://www.cac.mil/common-access-card/>
- PCI Data Storage Do’s and Don’ts, accessed on March 31, 2025, <https://listings.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/pci_fs_data_storage.pdf>