Playing online games on iGaming sites may involve providing sensitive information, including name, address, contacts, and bank details. However, most punters are reluctant to surrender such information because they do not know how safe it is, especially when funding a gaming account. Some jurisdictions, such as the UK, require all operators to conduct KYC and ID verification for GamStop and responsible playing. Others don't impose such requirements, meaning players can enjoy real money games without going through the KYC process.
What is KYC?
KYC is an acronym for know-your-customer and is common in the financial sector, where banks need to gather various ID details before providing a service. There are rules to ensure proper ID verification and data collection in the financial industry, and KYC is a norm. The procedures may differ from one bank to another, but KYC mainly involves requesting ID details to determine if users are who they say they are.
It also entails monitoring accounts to protect the bank from serving money launderers, terrorists and similar groups. Concerning online gaming, KYC or ID verification usually involves gathering player info during signup/registration, login, and deposits/withdrawals. In most cases, the player must submit documents, such as a copy of a driver’s license or national ID card and other statements like energy and phone bills.
Why UK Players are Keen to Avoid KYC
Punters worldwide don't fancy the KYC process and only surrender information when there's no alternative, for instance, if it's necessary to complete a withdrawal. Most gaming brands will allow registration without thorough ID verification and wait until a player requests a withdrawal. Here are some of the reasons why UK users choose to bet via NonGamStopSlots bookmakers with no ID verification and as you can see avoiding the KYC process is pretty popular nowadays:
- Safety Concerns – Many players are concerned about the safety of the personal data they surrender. In the digital age, user ID details are essential for businesses and can be sold to marketing firms. Players don't want to reveal their information to illegitimate operators for fear of selling their data to third parties. What's more, hackers can breach the site database and steal sensitive ID data.
- Privacy Concerns – Some players prefer not to reveal their identity because they want to keep their gaming activity private. Surrendering ID information means someone can trace the gaming transactions back to the player in case of an inquiry. Since most UK punters prefer to play anonymously, they aren’t willing to complete the KYC process and would rather join offshore sites that don’t require ID details.
- Bypass Self Exclusion – The UKGC requires all online gaming operators in the UK to participate in GamStop national self-exclusion program. Players voluntarily registered on GamStop won’t be able to play on UKGC-licensed websites for at least six months because the operators conduct KYC and block them instantly. To bypass such self-exclusion schemes, players sign up on offshore sites that don't complete ID verification.
Is KYC Important?
Companies use KYC to verify the customer's identity and ensure transactions aren't related to tax evasion, money laundering or terrorist financing. The procedure has advantages for both the company and customer as it prevents fraudsters and ID thieves from capturing user accounts. It also establishes a level of trust between both parties, considering there's no way of telling who the customer is without ID verification.
KYC helps enforce the GamStop scheme for UK punters by identifying and blocking players who have voluntarily signed up to be excluded from UKGC online gaming. Gaming companies can operate without KYC unless mandated by the law, in which case they have to participate or risk fines and license revocations. For the players, surrendering ID details can reinforce responsible behavior to avoid reputational legal and tax inconsistencies.
Ways to Avoid KYC in Online Gaming
All UKGC licensed operators and sportsbooks perform KYC to identify their players and facilitate the GamStop program. However, the UKGC laws only apply to local UK operators. Offshore companies and independent iGaming brands licensed in other jurisdictions like Curacao, Gibraltar, Malta, Alderney, Macau, and other non-UK regions don’t have to follow UKGC requirements.
Since UK players can join any gaming site they want, no verification brands are the number one solution to evading KYC. Note that some non-UK brands perform ID verification, so it’s crucial to look for no KYC/verification sites. Below are other popular solutions for avoiding the know-your-customer procedure:
1. Using Crypto Wallets
Cryptocurrencies rely on a decentralized network, making it daunting for anyone to track transaction origins. Over the last few years, cryptos like Bitcoin and Litecoin have become popular among players in the UK and worldwide. Using crypto adds an extra layer of anonymity and doesn't involve giving up any sensitive detail. It is built on blockchain technologies and completely fit for users who do want to stay anonymous. Players can fund their accounts with crypto wallets without worrying about ID verification or someone tracing back the transaction to them.
2. Pay n Play Sites
Pay n Play sites are relatively new but picking up at an amazing speed. Players who join these sites don't have to complete the usual registration process. In some cases, no signup is required at all. All the player needs to do is use any payment methods provided to complete a deposit and instantly access a game lobby. Then, they can proceed to play and cash out winnings without submitting any information about their contact, email, address, name, or other ID details.
Summary
The KYC procedure has its unique pros and cons for the operators and players. However, most punters, especially those on exclusion schemes, shy away from sites that require ID verification, understandably to avoid being blocked. Some players simply want to maintain online anonymity and privacy. Regardless of the reason, there are many ways to elude ID verification when playing online games. The priority should be to join trustworthy sites with a valid license, certified fair games, and top security features.
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