For me, this is the most annoying part of playing online in Ontario.

There are certain things in life that we’ve got to do that we’re not wild about. For me, one of these things is completing the online casino identity verification process. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to do this and 100% necessary, but this doesn’t mean I like doing it LOL!

To be clear, I’m not against Casino ID verification. Legitimately run Ontario online casinos are required by law to complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process for every player that signs up. This process protects the business (casino) and protects the players (us). It lets the casino know that we are who we say we are, and it lets us know that the casino is serious about protecting us from fraud and gambling-related harm.

Still, this doesn’t mean that going through the casino identity verification process is always fun, fast, or smooth. Here, I’ve written about online casino verification in Ontario. I’ll provide you with general information about it, the common challenges players face, as well as my own experience.

What is Online Gambling Verification?

Casino identity verification is a process used by legitimate gambling companies to verify the age and identity of the players who sign up at their sites. In short, it’s done to make sure players are who they say they are.

Online casino verification often involves different types of checks. Typically, casinos verify identity documents and check them against databases. Most commonly, identity documents are required for proof of ID and address.

Proof of identity documents must be a government-issued ID, which includes the player’s photo, full name, and signature. Examples of these documents for Ontario casino players are:

• Driver’s License
• Passport

Proof of address documents must include the player’s full name, current address, and be dated less than 3 months old. Examples of these documents for Ontario casino players are:

• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Lease

Why Identity Verification at Online Casinos is Important

Casinos need this information to make certain that a player is who they say they are. Casino identity verification prevents fraud, safeguards players, and ensures online casinos are following regulator compliance protocols.

Online gambling operators that do not follow KYC protocols are at risk of being fined by the regulator and could also lose their gambling license.

In Ontario, online gambling verification is required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO is the official regulator of online gambling in the province, while licenses are supplied by iGaming Ontario. Ultimately, to allow you to engage in real money gambling, Ontario online casinos must ensure you are:

• A real person
• You live in Ontario
• You are employed
• You’re not in trouble with the law
• You are of legal gambling age (19+)

The Challenges of Gambling Verification for Players

Although online casino identity verification is important, it’s not without its challenges. The biggest casino verification challenges for players are privacy and processing times.

Privacy

Understandably, you might not feel comfortable sharing personal documents like your driver’s license, passport, or bank statement online. I’m certainly not a fan. It’s been drilled into my head (and probably yours too) never to give out sensitive information to avoid scams.

Another concern is worrying about how the information provided will be stored and used. In other words, what type of security does the casino have to ward off hackers and do they release information to third parties?

Knowing I’d have to share these types of documents was one of the reasons I debated playing online. It’s why I was careful to research iGaming in Ontario before I played or picked just any casino. I learned how to best protect myself to ensure I enjoyed a safe and fun online gambling experience.

With that said, when it comes to casino online verification privacy concerns, you can put your mind at ease by:

• Making sure where you play is regulated and licensed by a legitimate authority.
• Reading the online casino’s privacy policy to find out how your information is used, stored, and protected.
• Contacting customer support if you have concerns and would like more information.

Processing time

The other main challenge of casino identity verification for players is how long the verification process takes to complete. This is a concern because until the processing time is complete, you might not be able to continue playing or you may experience withdrawal delays.

Generally speaking, if you are playing at a legal site and you provide them with the requested document(s) as instructed (see example below), the process should be quick and easy. It is common for online casinos to process and verify this information within a couple of hours (or even a matter of minutes) once submitted. Once verified, they’ll send you a notification (email or SMS) informing you of the success. If there is an issue with the document(s) you’ve sent in, you’ll be notified with instructions on what to do to resolve the matter.

If you’re worried about processing times taking too long, here are ways to ensure the process is as speedy as possible:

• Complete the process as soon as you can to avoid playing delays or withdrawal delays.
• Make sure the information you provide is correct.
• Follow all the instructions provided by the casino on how to submit your documents.

Types of ID Verification – Manual Vs Automated Identity Verification

There are two types of casino identity verification methods that an online gambling business might use to process your legal documents. They may complete the process manually or use an automated system.

• Manual ID Verification – A casino employee checks your government-issued ID over the internet by comparing it with existing records and/or databases.

• Automated ID verification – A software solution that uses facial recognition technology, machine learning, or optical character recognition to analyze your ID and check for authenticity.

While there are pros and cons of both types of verifications for businesses, for me, as a player, I don’t really care what solution they use as long as it’s done accurately, securely, and quickly. However, if the type of verification method they use matters to you, it’s a good idea to look into it. If they don’t tell you on their site, ask their customer support what process they use.

My Personal Casino Identity Verification Experience

If you’re wondering if I’ve gone through the casino verification process, the answer is yes. This has been my experience so far at PlayOJO*, where I play.   

Signing up – When first signing up at PlayOJO, I was required to provide my full name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, and details regarding my current occupation. This included the industry I work for as well as my job title. Requesting these details is an Ontario regulator requirement. I was then sent a code via the mobile number I provided to verify my account.

Proof of Address – Though I haven’t (yet) been asked to provide photo ID, I was required to provide proof of address.

My preference would have been to send a utility bill, but these bills are in my husband’s name, so I can’t use them (the documents sent in need to be in the name of the person who opened the casino account). This pretty much left me with the option of providing a bank statement.

I signed into my bank and downloaded the first page of my most recent e-statement (my statements are paperless because, 1- environment and 2 – I don’t want to be charged a fee). I was ready to send in the PDF, when I noticed that one of the rules of sending in the document is that it needs to be in colour. This was a problem because my bank statements are only in black and white.

Worried that it might not be accepted, I sent an email (my preference at the time over live chat) explaining the situation. Within about 5 hours of sending it, I received a response from a friendly OJO customer service rep. who thanked me for reaching out and told me the following:

The rep. then explained the steps to take to upload the document and said that it would be checked within a few hours, and once verified I’d be notified by email. They then followed this up by saying if I had any other questions not to hesitate to contact support again via email or live chat.

I honestly was totally satisfied with how quickly I received an email response and the answer I was given. I proceeded to upload my bank statement and within a couple of hours I received an email notifying me my document had been verified.

The entire process was quite fast and, thanks to the help of the support team, was uncomplicated.

Casino Identity Verification FAQ

How do casinos check ID?

Using a manual (employee) or automated (software solution) verification process your legal documents are checked by comparing this information with existing records, databases, security features, font consistency, etc. to authenticate their legitimacy.

How do you verify a casino?

The best way to verify the legitimacy of a casino is to look for it’s gambling license. From there, got to the regulator’s site and check to see if the online casino is actively registered with them. In the case of Ontario, you’ll want to check the site for the iGaming Ontario Logo ⬇️

What online casino does not require ID?

One that is not licensed and regulated. As much as I’m not wild about sharing my personal documents with businesses online, when the transaction of money is involved, adhering to KYC requirements is a necessary safeguard. There is far greater risk playing at a casino without verification requirements. Personally, I wouldn’t trust it with my money.

Why do casinos take ID?

Online casinos take your ID documents to verify that you are who you claim to be and to satisfy regulatory compliance protocols.

Why is casino identity verification important?

It is important because it protects both you and the online casino from fraud. It also helps casinos prevent minors from gambling on their site as well as can protect those who’ve self-excluded from gambling.

Until next time, good luck and have fun.

Mia 👩‍💻

*I am not affiliated with PlayOJO.

**All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only.