Overview
Grosvenor Casino Cardiff is required by law to verify the identity of every customer before permitting any gambling activity. This obligation arises from Licence Condition 17.1.1 of the UK Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), as well as from the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Identity verification is mandatory and cannot be deferred. No account is permitted to proceed to gambling, depositing, or withdrawal until the required checks have been completed and confirmed.
This document sets out what information is collected, what documents may be requested, how verification is conducted, and what happens if verification cannot be completed.
1. Legal Basis for Identity Verification
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires all licensed remote gambling operators to verify the name, address, and date of birth of every customer before allowing them to gamble. This requirement has been in force since 7 May 2019, when the UKGC amended the LCCP to remove the previous window that had allowed operators up to 72 hours to complete age and identity checks. Under the current rules, verification must be completed before any gambling activity commences, including access to any free-to-play content hosted on the platform.
In addition to UKGC licence conditions, casinos operating in the United Kingdom are subject to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. These regulations require the conduct of customer due diligence, the verification of customer identity using reliable and independent sources, and, where appropriate, the application of enhanced due diligence measures.
2. Information Required for Verification
At a minimum, the following information is required to be verified for every customer:
- Full legal name
- Residential address
- Date of birth
This information must be verified against reliable, independent sources. Verification may be conducted electronically, through document checks, or through a combination of both methods. Electronic checks may involve cross-referencing data against credit reference agencies, electoral rolls, or other recognised databases. Where electronic checks are insufficient, unclear, or produce inconsistent results, supporting documents will be requested.
3. Acceptable Identity Documents
Where document-based verification is required, the following forms of government-issued photo identification are accepted:
- Valid passport
- UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- National identity card
- Armed forces identity card
Submitted documents must clearly show the customer’s full name, photograph, and date of birth. Documents that are expired, damaged, or illegible will not be accepted.
A secondary document to confirm residential address may be requested, such as a recent utility bill, bank statement, or official correspondence issued within the preceding three months.
4. Timing of Verification
Verification is conducted at the point of account registration and must be completed before any of the following actions are permitted:
- Depositing funds
- Placing any bet or wager
- Accessing any gambling content, including free-to-play games
- Requesting a withdrawal
Customers who registered prior to the introduction of the current UKGC rules and whose identity has not been fully verified are required to complete verification before they are permitted to gamble again. Gambling activity is not permitted to proceed on the basis of pending or incomplete verification.
5. Withdrawals and Identity Verification
Full identity verification must be completed before any withdrawal request can be processed. Where a customer requests a withdrawal and verification has not yet been finalised, the withdrawal will be held pending completion of the required checks.
In accordance with UKGC guidance, a withdrawal request is not used as a trigger to introduce new information requirements that could reasonably have been requested at an earlier stage of the customer relationship. Any additional information requested in connection with a withdrawal is limited to what is necessary and proportionate given the circumstances of the account.
6. Source of Funds and Enhanced Due Diligence
In certain circumstances, enhanced due diligence is required beyond standard identity verification. This may include requesting evidence of the source of funds used for gambling or evidence of the customer’s financial position. Such requests are made where the risk assessment indicates that a higher level of scrutiny is warranted, including but not limited to situations involving significant deposit or spend levels, or where there are indicators that require further investigation under AML obligations.
Acceptable evidence of source of funds may include recent payslips, bank statements, evidence of business income, or other documentation demonstrating the legitimate origin of funds. The company will indicate what is required and allow a reasonable period for the customer to respond.
7. Self-Exclusion and Identity Checks
Identity verification is also used to support responsible gambling obligations. Verifying a customer’s identity allows checks to be made on whether that individual has registered a self-exclusion through GAMSTOP or any other applicable self-exclusion scheme. Where a match is identified, the account will not be permitted to proceed, regardless of the outcome of other verification steps.
8. Data Handling
Personal information and documents submitted for identity verification purposes are processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection legislation. Information collected during the verification process is used solely for the purposes of compliance with regulatory obligations, including identity verification, AML checks, and responsible gambling measures. Verification records are retained for the period required by law and applicable regulatory obligations.
9. Failure to Complete Verification
If a customer does not provide the required information or documents within a reasonable timeframe, or if the information provided cannot be verified to the required standard, the company reserves the right to restrict or close the account. Any funds held in the account at the time of restriction will be handled in accordance with standard account closure procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
10. Contact
For questions about the identity verification process or guidance on what documents to submit, contact the customer support team using the contact details provided on the website. Responses will be issued as promptly as practicable to assist in completing the process.