Verifying your identity at slot sites
One of the most important steps in opening an account at a new slot site is identify verification. Some people are overly concerned about it, so much so they avoid joining online slot sites simply because they think of it as intrusive or difficult.
The reality is, it’s a very straightforward process, and you really shouldn’t let it put you off. At Slot Sites we spend a lot of time joining new sites and opening accounts so we can provide accurate and in-depth reviews of what the market is offering, so we have created this guide to walk you through the process and make it as simple as possible.
It really is nothing to be concerned about, but before we get into what you need to do, lets look at why you need to do it.
Why do I need to verify my ID at slot sites?
There are a number of reasons why regulators insist that all slot site operators must verify the identity of their customers before they can gamble, these are:
- Age compliance: Most jurisdictions have laws defining a minimum age for gambling. In the UK, this is 18 years of age, and part of the ID verification process is to ensure that all players are legally able to gamble.
- Financial probity: Any business that holds your money must know their customers, and part of the process is to ensure that every ID is confirmed. This falls under anti money laundering legislation is a legal requirement from financial and gambling authorities.
- Self-exclusion: Being able to self-exclude from gambling is one of the more successful initiatives in place to aid responsible gaming. ID verification helps spot people who have self-excluded during the account opening process, and avoids anyone trying to get around self-exclusion using false IDs.
By only accepting verified players, it also allows slot site operators to maintain a safer gaming environment. With accountability for all players, it is easier to enforce the rules that keep gaming fair and fun for everyone.
The other benefit is that with all verification carried out before anyone starts gaming, and only payment methods in the account holder’s name allowed, there is no need for verification and other delays in the payment system itself, so you enjoy faster deposits and withdrawals.
What documents will I need?
Before you begin the verification process, it makes things much easier to get everything you need together beforehand. Each slot site has its own way of doing things, but in general you will need something to verify your ID, and something else to prove your address.
For your ID, this should be photo ID issued by your government, which for UK slot sites generally means one of two things:
- Passport
- Driving license
You will need high quality scans or photos of the front and back of this document. A photo from your phone is usually good enough, just make sure the writing is clearly legible, and you should be fine.
Verifying your address follows a similar pattern, instead this time you can use:
- Household bills
- Bank or card statement
- Driving license with your current address (if you did not use it for ID verification purposes)
Again, to upload digitally, a photo of the document should be fine, however for many household bills or bank statements today, you can get a pdf download from your bank or supplier, and these are fine to use as well.
Finally, sometimes a slot site will ask you to verify you are the person in the ID submitted by asking you to take a selfie with your passport or driving license visible. If you are asked for this, just follow the instructions they provide.
Verifying your ID
Once you have everything together, you can begin verification. This starts with logging into your slot site account, heading to the verification section in your account, and then uploading the relevant documents as requested.
Each slot site may have various approaches and name things slightly differently, but this is the basic process for all slot sites. After that, it is just a question of waiting to be notified of success.
What happens if verification fails?
If you are notified that your verification was rejected, don’t worry. It is usually something simple, like some text on your documents being illegible, or you submitted a document that doesn’t fit the requirements stated by the slot site operator.
Retake your document photos and make sure everything is in focus and clearly readable, and make sure any household bill or bank statement is less than 3 months old before submitting again.
Be aware that these are sophisticated verification systems that check details on your documents, so they will pick up fake or edited IDs, which will lead you to being banned from the slot site. It really is not worth the hassle to try and get around the system.
Verification success
You will be notified that your verification has been successful and that should be it. You can now deposit some money into your account and start playing your favourite games.
Summary
- ID verification is required to meet legal obligations for age compliance, financial probity, and responsible gaming practices, ensuring a safer gaming environment.
- Necessary documents include a photo ID (passport or driving license) and proof of address (bank statement or utility bill), which should be clear and legible.
- Upload process involves logging into your slot site account, accessing the verification section, and submitting required documents as photos or scans.
- Selfie verification may be requested to confirm identity; simply follow the site's instructions if needed.
- If verification fails, resubmit clearer images or updated documents, as minor issues like readability or document age are common reasons for rejection.