Illogical ID requests

[Rusty]

First of all lets just say I'm thankful I actually got some nice play from a RTG Casino and I could make a cashout request.
24 Hours after my request I received this email;

This email is to inform you that we will require the following documents in order to process your cash-out request:



1. Clear copies of a valid photo ID (Driver License or Passport).

2. Clear copy of any utility bill (Bank Statement, Water or Light Bill, Etc.).

3. Credit Card Agreement Form for VISA # xxxx (last four digits) attached to this message.

4. Clear copies for your VISA # Xxxxx - Both sides with signed back, for your own security. You can hide/cover the three security numbers on the back side of your card. We need to verify only the first 6 and last 4 digits on the front of the card.



This documentation will be required in order to process your withdrawal request.

Now as far as I understand it a valid Passport is proof of ID.
If it is not then why request it as proof?

OK. so lets just say the Casino is paranoid for no good reason and include a Utility bill, overkill but hey lets play their game.

Whats that you want me to fill out and sign a credit card agreement form too?

Still not enough?
You want clear copies of my VISA card even though I deposited with Moneybookers?

What a load of Bull shit.
Unless someone can explain why all this is necessary when other Casinos manage just fine with either no ID at all or Passport.

As far as I can see there is One reason and One reason alone to make such over the top requests for ID.
They hope that at least some people rather than go to the trouble of downloading their agreement form,printing it out, filling it in, digging out their passport and a Utility bill , scanning them both, taking their credit card and photocopying the front and back or taking photos and uploading them to their PC and then attaching all these in an email and sending them to officiouspratsRus.com will just say screw it and reverse their withdrawal in the hope of winning something that is actually worth all the hassle this Casino wants to put their new customers through.

What if you do not have photo ID?
More likely what if you do not have a printer or scanner?

Even more hassle.

I don't know about you lot but it really winds me up

 

[Antonia1953]

Their requirements are the main reason I don't play at any of the RTGs. They take redundantcy to an all new level.

 

[Rusty]

Their requirements are the main reason I don't play at any of the RTGs. They take redundantcy to an all new level.

I can certainly understand that.

The thing is though not all RTG Casinos are this over the top, some actually have common sense and even if they want proof of ID will accept a scanned Passport or come to some compromise arrangement.
That makes this request all the more annoying.

I very nearly replied asking if they would like a DNA swab and a urine sample too but didn't want to put ideas in to their heads.

My passport is good enough ID to get me access to some of the most security conscious places in the World but it isn't good enough ID to withdraw my own money from a Casino.

 

[jas2587]

I have never had to send copys of a CC as I deposit via Quicktender or Ewallet they ask an I just put
N/A on those lines an state deposit was made via Quick or Ewallet an all is fine

Cindy

 

[funky_seagull]

I wouldn't bother sending the credit card information. If you deposited via moneybookers, your card details are none of their business. I definately agree these ID checks are ridiculous. They seem to serve no other purpose than to piss the player off and to slow down a withdrawal. If they really cared about security they would do these checks at the time of deposit. I bet if they did they would invent a much more faster friendlier way of doing it. I have stopped joining new casinos because of ID checks, they're just too stressful and impossible for me to complete without spending 76 to renew my passport. Which I won't do because I'll never use it for travel again, and the amount of money I win at casinos doesn't make it worthwhile. As I lose more than I win. What is frustrating about this is the lack of options available for those who have neither a driving license or passport, to confirm they are who they are. And the lack of sympathy or help from those in customer support towards those in this position. Just the robotic response: 'I am sorry we can't release your payment until we have seen a valid copy of a passport or driving license.' It sucks.

 

[Antonia1953]

I didn't realize that not all the RTGs didn't request the same documents, but I haven't played at that many. The few that I have had the same requirements. I've never understood why a passport isn't given the same regard as a drivers license. I recently had one of the casinos in the FL group ask for copies of two of my bank statements. I was absolutely livid that they had so little consideration of my personal security, especially in light of the fact that I have been playing there for years. I refused to send the statements and told them to take my money and run. They sent the withdrawal a couple of weeks later, but they won't be getting anymore funds from me or mine. I'm still pissed-off about it.

 

[catrina m]

Before I ever deposited at Cherry Red I filled out the faxback and had it approved. I didn't enter any credit card info on the faxback saying I had use my wallet.

When I deposited and won, one PM to Louise had it in my QT account very quick!

I refuse to sign up for any new casino's because of the document hassle.

I am approved by Inet, Cherry Red, Villento, First Web, and 3Dice requires no docs at all.

If I make these rounds I am either happy or broke. new offers do not stand a chance with me. I laugh at most of the spam.

 

[Rusty]

Yes some Casinos are much more customer friendly than others and the lack of consistency just reinforces the view that such over the top requests are not necessary.
All though documents were required at Cherry Red they were very fast to process and only required reasonable ID.
The same with Buzzluck and these Casinos are newer than the RTG I am referring to so perhaps these older RTG's need to evolve or die.

Certainly the likes of Cherry Red, Buzzluck, 3Dice,32 Red all raise the bar in terms of service and Three of those are fairly new arrivals.

 

[ksech]

Ah, I had to send those docs to Cherry red, not sure if it is because I use a CC and QT to fund my account. I blacken out all the numbers on my DL, the CC (front and back) and any pertinent info on my utility bill. (Although utility bills will be harder to verify as I went paperless on everything last year.) I've never encountered any problems doing this so far.

 

[spearmaster]

The reason for the utility bill is to verify address. Passports obviously don't have your address on them.

I do agree, however, that if you didn't use a CC, you should not be required to provide that documentation.

 

[vinylweatherman]

The reason for the utility bill is to verify address. Passports obviously don't have your address on them.

I do agree, however, that if you didn't use a CC, you should not be required to provide that documentation.

None of this addresses the problems faced by players such as funky_seagull. The industry is ignoring such players, but not telling them they will never be able to satisfy ID requirements without a great deal of expense and hassle till after they have played for a while and withdrawn.

In funky_seagull's case, the amounts are so trivial that 76 for a passport is more than the value of his withdrawals are likely to be, so the casino is really in a win-win situation with such players.

ID checks that players are simply unable to comply with are going to get this entire industry a bad name, as in some cases they are not proportionate to the risk. The result will be that some players will resort to other means for "revenge" when they are confronted with an unexpected no-win situation such as faced by funky_seagull. This could involve airing the grievance publicly, but also players who decide to give up online gambling altogether because they feel the entire industry is "rogue" will try routes such as the chargeback, and will feel no guilt about it because they will feel the same has been done to them. It is the same as buying goods remotely, only to find they are faulty, but the retailer makes the returns procedure impossible to comply with in the hope perhaps that you will not bother. Faced with this, consumers are actually advised to claim redress through their credit card or VISA debit card provider.

Another problem that will soon bedevil players is the increasing tendency for utilities to "fine" customers who insist on continuing with paper bills. This trend could result in players having all their bills and payments handled solely online, something that is being pushed heavily for "environmental reasons" (so they claim) I am already paying these "fines" because I need regular statements to scan and keep on my PC.
Whilst casinos say they do not accept copies of online bills, they cannot tell the difference in many cases, since most statements posted out are produced by computer anyway, and are identical to what we could print off from managing our bills online.

 

[spearmaster]

None of this addresses the problems faced by players such as funky_seagull. The industry is ignoring such players, but not telling them they will never be able to satisfy ID requirements without a great deal of expense and hassle till after they have played for a while and withdrawn.

In funky_seagull's case, the amounts are so trivial that 76 for a passport is more than the value of his withdrawals are likely to be, so the casino is really in a win-win situation with such players.

ID checks that players are simply unable to comply with are going to get this entire industry a bad name, as in some cases they are not proportionate to the risk.

funky_seagull is not simply unable to comply, as you intimate. He does not wish to comply for such a small withdrawal.

Now - let's not argue the point of the passport - some people do have them and can use them. Not everyone has passports and the casino is not saying that a passport is the only acceptable id.

Driver's license - well, needless to say not everyone has one either.

I suspect that the casino can accept some other form of photo ID, but obviously believes that most people have either passport or driver's license. Certainly in the US, people are normally required to have at least a state ID if they don't have a driver's license - once they reach a certain age, that is.

I don't know UK identification requirements - but I do find it strange that funky_seagull has no form of acceptable ID - surely, the government must require people to have SOME form of acceptable ID... and obviously if a government recognizes a particular form of ID, so should a casino.

Now, as to requiring ID before play - not all casinos do this - certainly not in the US - you are not required to show ID before play, and quite often you will never have to show ID except when challenged, or when winning over $1200 on a single spin or game (for tax purposes).

I used to believe that ID should be checked before allowing play to proceed - but I now realize how much of a problem that causes - firstly, that is likely to more than double the workload for the casino - and secondly, it is more likely to frustrate someone enough to cause them not to bother.

This might seem trivial - until you realize that the additional workload alone could slow a casino to a crawl, meaning your withdrawals are processed more slowly, support is often overloaded... because they are checking the IDs of people who may never even make a deposit or a withdrawal.

So if your withdrawal or your support request is slower, you too might get frustrated... and not come back.

It's a chicken and egg situation. Or somewhere between a rock and a hard place - but at least you can see why checking identity before play is such a difficult proposition.

 

[vinylweatherman]

funky_seagull is not simply unable to comply, as you intimate. He does not wish to comply for such a small withdrawal.

Now - let's not argue the point of the passport - some people do have them and can use them. Not everyone has passports and the casino is not saying that a passport is the only acceptable id.

Driver's license - well, needless to say not everyone has one either.

I suspect that the casino can accept some other form of photo ID, but obviously believes that most people have either passport or driver's license. Certainly in the US, people are normally required to have at least a state ID if they don't have a driver's license - once they reach a certain age, that is.

I don't know UK identification requirements - but I do find it strange that funky_seagull has no form of acceptable ID - surely, the government must require people to have SOME form of acceptable ID... and obviously if a government recognises a particular form of ID, so should a casino.Now, as to requiring ID before play - not all casinos do this - certainly not in the US - you are not required to show ID before play, and quite often you will never have to show ID except when challenged, or when winning over $1200 on a single spin or game (for tax purposes).

I used to believe that ID should be checked before allowing play to proceed - but I now realise how much of a problem that causes - firstly, that is likely to more than double the workload for the casino - and secondly, it is more likely to frustrate someone enough to cause them not to bother.

This might seem trivial - until you realise that the additional workload alone could slow a casino to a crawl, meaning your withdrawals are processed more slowly, support is often overloaded... because they are checking the IDs of people who may never even make a deposit or a withdrawal.

So if your withdrawal or your support request is slower, you too might get frustrated... and not come back.

It's a chicken and egg situation. Or somewhere between a rock and a hard place - but at least you can see why checking identity before play is such a difficult proposition.

NO NO NO and again NO!!!!!!

The UK government ONLY issue a PHOTO on either a PASSPORT or a DRIVERS LICENCE. Funky_seagull is not "unwilling" to obtain a driver's license, he is NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED ONE due to disability. Whilst he CAN obtain a passport, this is NOT a simple matter, he is disabled, and lives in a remote area, and you must now apply IN PERSON at one of only a few regional passport offices for the new style biometric passports being issued.

The UK government DO issue quite a few other forms of ID, but they DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS.

Other forms of PHOTO ID, such as I have suggested might be issued at a more local level, such a bus passes, railcards, etc are UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTED anyway.

The UK government are currently happy with this situation, even though other countries may not be, however, IF a UK citizen is in another country, they will have a passport anyway, so problem solved.

The current government are more worried about losing VOTES than they are about INTERNAL security, as those without a passport or drivers license have no other form of photo ID, and are not required to even have one.

Since this state of affairs is likely to last several years, the online casino industry MUST address this problem, rather than ignore it at their peril. Casinos licensed within the EU or UK will find themselves in trouble for making impractical ID document requests where the player can show that what they have is fine for GOVERNMENT purposes, but the casino holding their cash says it is not for theirs.

I PERSONALLY, would fork out for a passport, but this is because MY cash-ins warrant the expenditure, even if I was never intending to travel abroad again. It would only become necessary if my drivers license was taken away, something that the elderly have to face, as well as the medically unfit.

Making a false declaration of fitness to drive just to obtain an "ID document" to please casinos is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE, and carries quite a steep fine.

I am sure if funky_seagull had a big win, it would be worth his while getting a new passport for 76 + travel + 1 wasted day.

 

[winbig]

9 times out of 10, if you don't deposit using a CC, you need not to send in a copy of any CC to them. If they still ask for it, tell them to shove it and PAB.

 

[spearmaster]

NO NO NO and again NO!!!!!!

No need for the shouting, mate.

The UK government ONLY issue a PHOTO on either a PASSPORT or a DRIVERS LICENCE. Funky_seagull is not "unwilling" to obtain a driver's license, he is NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED ONE due to disability. Whilst he CAN obtain a passport, this is NOT a simple matter, he is disabled, and lives in a remote area, and you must now apply IN PERSON at one of only a few regional passport offices for the new style biometric passports being issued.

I stand by my opinion. There *must* be some ID that the government recognize. I said nothing about simple or anything of the sort - I said that he does not wish to comply, which is entirely correct. And it's his choice, and frankly if I were in his situation I'd probably do the same thing.

Your statement of being "unable to comply" is incorrect.

Other forms of PHOTO ID, such as I have suggested might be issued at a more local level, such a bus passes, railcards, etc are UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTED anyway.

I don't see where this has been established by either funky_seagull or the casino in his particular case - here you are again making assumptions without basis in fact.

And although I would normally assume a photo ID, again this has yet to be established and was not stated by either party.

If he has any government-issued ID which can be used for *all* general intents and purposes within the UK, that should be acceptable enough. If he wants to explain his situation to the casino, he can do so, or he can PAB if he likes.

But you cannot assume that he is unable to comply - regardless of whether the ID is required before play, or upon cashout - either way he knows he is still likely to have to produce ID - otherwise it should be incumbent on him to speak with the casino in the first place. The requirement for proof of identity is a given, it is not optional - what IS optional is when the ID is required to be produced.

Casinos licensed within the EU or UK will find themselves in trouble for making impractical ID document requests where the player can show that what they have is fine for GOVERNMENT purposes, but the casino holding their cash says it is not for theirs.

This is just repeating what I said before. If it is good enough for government purposes, it should be good enough for a casino. If the casino is not willing to recognize a legal identity document, then it belongs in the rogue list.

 

[KasinoKing]

I don't know about you lot but it really winds me up

I agree with you - it's just total bulls-droppings.
If a player deposits by Neteller, MoneyBookers or any other e-wallet and withdraws to the same account, what the flip does it matter???
You have to be at least 18 to open one of those accounts, so the age shouldn't be an issue.

You don't have to prove who you are in a B&M casino, so why all this horse-manure online?

KK

 

[spearmaster]

You don't have to prove who you are in a B&M casino, so why all this horse-manure online?

This surely is wrong - every London B&M casino I've been to requires you to be a member or else prove identity and age... and I've been to a fair few of them... this may not be the case in the US, but it sure is in most places in Europe...

 

[funky_seagull]

The casino I had a recent problem with I joined them about a year ago. This is the first time they have asked for ID after about 8 withdrawals. Thankfully I managed to get my money in the end. I used my birth certificate. But it took many emails and some phonecalls to sort it out. bizarrely a birth certificate is still not good enough as it doesn't have a photo on it. But they processed my withdrawal, with the message I still need to produce a valid photo ID. So i think I will just take my money and scram. The only way I can get a valid photo ID is by renewing my passport. I dont drive due to being disabled. There are no other valid forms of photo ID available to me. I know the rest of the world outside the UK seems to find it unbelievable but people in the UK do not carry national identity cards. Some casinos I have joined have done their ID checks behind the scenes without me having to send in any documentation. I think they must have checked on the electoral register or something like that. Cause when I contacted them asking if I needed to send in any documentation they said there was no need as they had already verified who I am. So it shows there must be other more player friendly ways to check. These casinos were all UK ones though licensed in Gibraltar. Other casinos I am a member of have asked for ID but were a lot more chilled out and reasonable about the whole thing and either accepted my expired passport, my birth certificate, or even my bank statement as proof of ID. Which to me shows there are some casinos going over the top about this or are just plain ignorant. I hate the way some casinos make you feel like a naughty child for not having a photo ID. It's like being at school, who the duck do some of these places think they are. I won't be joining any more casinos. This ID crap is a nightmare. As well as the photo ID problem the whole thing is a pain in the arse anyway. Trying to photograph a utility bill so everything is clear and visible is frustrating, one time trying to get this photo right took me an hour. Not everyone has a scanner. Uploading them to the computer, having to chase up support to see if they have been approved, that they were clear enough, it is really player unfriendly, annoying and tiring.

 

[spearmaster]

I joined the casino about a year ago. This is the first time they have asked for ID after about 8 withdrawals. I managed to get my money in the end. Using my birth certificate. But even this was still not good enough as it doesn't have a photo on it. They processed my withdrawal, but said I still need to produce a valid photo ID. The only way I can get a valid photo ID is by renewing my passport. There are no other valid forms of photo ID available. I know the rest of the world seems to find it unbelievable but people in the UK do not carry national identity cards. Anyway I got my money after many emails and phonecalls and won't be going back there. Some casinos I have joined have done their ID checks behind the scenes without me having to send in any documentation. I think they must have checked on the electoral register or something like that. Cause when I contacted them asking if I needed to send in any documentation they said there was no need as they had already verified who I am. So it shows there must be other more player friendly ways to check. These casinos were all UK ones though licensed in Gibraltar. Other casinos I am a member of have asked for ID but were a lot more chilled out and reasonable about the whole thing and either accepted my expired passport, birth certificate, or even my bank statement as proof of ID. Which shows some casinos are going over the top about this. I won't be joining any new casinos anymore to avoid this ID nightmare. As well as the passport problem the whole thing is a pain in the arse anyway. Trying to photograph a utility bill so everything is clear and visible is frustrating. Uploading them to the computer having to chase up support to see if they have been approved it is really player unfriendly and annoying. The one I had a recent problem with I have been with them over a year and they have processed about 8 withdrawals, with no problems whatsoever and never asked for ID, so perhaps I haven't heard the last of this demon. They seem to have changed their payment processor maybe that has something to do with it.

LOL... I don't think a birth certificate is an acceptable form of ID either But your expired passport really should be acceptable as it was government issued (obviously), in tandem with some of the other stuff like a utility bill.

As for national identity cards - quite frankly the US doesn't issue national identity cards either - only state ID, state driver's license, or passport.

Obviously your situation is special and falls outside the norm - if the casino is a good casino I would suggest you explain to them what the problem is - and if you've done that, then you perhaps need to get to higher management. Or send it along to one of us (Maxd is probably best) and we'll see if we can do anything about that.

Casinos must certainly strive to make the customer experience easy, friendly, and welcoming - there can be no argument there. But one also needs to understand that there are certain things that a casino has to do, particularly if they are UK-licensed or whitelisted. There will always be some cracks or uncovered issues, and unfortunately yours is one of them - so making an effort to try and help them fix these things will be appreciated by not only them, but those who fall into a similar situation.

By the way, I should also point out that an expired passport is a LEGAL and valid form of ID in the US - easily discovered by the simple fact that presentation of the expired passport, along with the required forms and fees, is all that is required to obtain a new passport. The only difference between your expired passport and your new passport is that the expiration date only invalidates the passport for travel purposes.

 

[Pinababy69]

I also don't have a passport, never have had one...and don't plan on getting one at $150 a pop. Why should I when I have no intention of travelling outside of my own country? I also don't drive, thus no driver's licence. So, for ID purposes, that leaves me with my birth certificate, my SIN card (similar to Social Security ID in the States), and my Ontario Health Card (non photo).

Like others in this thread, I will never try new casinos because I am not going to run the risk of being told I can't cashout after I win. But they can always take your money/deposits, be it via CC or whatever. I could be Osama Bin Laden, and they'd gladly be taking my money and taking it.....it's only when I want some back that they decide they have to verify my identity? Bullshit.

Inetbet was satisfied with my ID and a utility bill.....32Red and 3Dice, I've never had to provide a thing. Why is that? That some can manage to pay people, no questions asked? I already know the answer.

Honestly, my advice to anyone before they try a new casino is to get pre-approved for cashouts, and get it in writing, before you ever make a deposit. And if your ID isn't good enough for these guys....screw em.

BTW Spear, there is no national ID card here in Canada either. Only picture ID nationally recognized is passport or driver's licence. Maybe I should learn how to drive after 46 years....just so I can cashout from an online casino?

 

[Rusty]

Pinababy has hit the nail on the head, why can some casinos pay without ID, some with basic ID and others make you want to jump through hoops?

That is the question that needs to be asked and as I stated in an earlier post there can only be One answer.

Spearmaster makes some valid points but lets be honest, there is absolutely no need for this level of ID check, it is BS.

Again as I asked earlier if anyone (including the Casino) can give me valid reasons for why they need so much verification when other Casinos do not then I may reconsider my view, until then...BS!

 

[vinylweatherman]

No need for the shouting, mate.



I stand by my opinion. There *must* be some ID that the government recognize. I said nothing about simple or anything of the sort - I said that he does not wish to comply, which is entirely correct. And it's his choice, and frankly if I were in his situation I'd probably do the same thing.

Your statement of being "unable to comply" is incorrect.



I don't see where this has been established by either funky_seagull or the casino in his particular case - here you are again making assumptions without basis in fact.

And although I would normally assume a photo ID, again this has yet to be established and was not stated by either party.

If he has any government-issued ID which can be used for *all* general intents and purposes within the UK, that should be acceptable enough. If he wants to explain his situation to the casino, he can do so, or he can PAB if he likes.

But you cannot assume that he is unable to comply - regardless of whether the ID is required before play, or upon cashout - either way he knows he is still likely to have to produce ID - otherwise it should be incumbent on him to speak with the casino in the first place. The requirement for proof of identity is a given, it is not optional - what IS optional is when the ID is required to be produced.



This is just repeating what I said before. If it is good enough for government purposes, it should be good enough for a casino. If the casino is not willing to recognize a legal identity document, then it belongs in the rogue list.

Sorry you got it, but you are the umpteenth person to ASSUME that the UK government must issue some form of PHOTO document to prove ID without it having to be a document with another primary purpose.

It DOES seem funky_seagull got his money, but the casino is STILL insisting he provide a non-expired passport if he is to play again.

Canadians appear to be in the same boat, no national ID card, just passports and drivers licenses.

The UK govermnent has in the past cited COST as a reason for a luke warm response to past calls for national photo ID, and it has been concerns over security since 9/11 that has reopened the debate. It costs far more to produce and issue a photo bearing document than one without one.

Birth certificates alone are not generally accepted, but when presented along with 2 other forms of NON photo ID, the trio are an accepted form of non photo ID here in the UK. Various government departments issue a "B list" of acceptable ways for a person to prove ID if they have neither passport or drivers license. These are accepted, BUT behind the scenes are also verified against the electoral roll, usually through a credit reference agency.

There is an alternative proposal for internal security, without the need for a photo ID card. This is a central database, including the DNA of EVERY person, not just arrested suspects, which will tie in a great deal of personal information, and a person can be completely ID checked from a fingerprint or iris scan, and is supposedly "impossible" to beat. It is highly controversial, and is unlikely to come into being because trust in the govermnent's ability to securely handle sensitive data is at an all time low, and any party putting such a proposal in it's manifesto is unlikely to end up being in any position to implement it after an election.

This does rather leave online transactions out in the cold, but a USB fingerprint scanner is now widely available as an alternative to password protection on PCs, and it's use could be extended to authorising online activity by ensuring the person registered is actually the one at the keyboard.


funky_seagull also makes an interesting point that casinos licensed in the UK or whitelisted territories have found an alternative way to verify players, and this alternative is good enough for EU and UK rules regarding verifying parties to a financial transaction, so this method should be MORE than good enough for casinos licensed in more lax jurisdictions, and would be more ACCURATE (no chance to manipulate information, since it is not being provided by the player), as well as being more player friendly.

This thread has demonstrated the damage this issue has already done to the ability of casinos to attract NEW players, with both Pina and funky_seagull stating that they will not be trying any NEW casinos because they are wary of being caught in the ID trap.

Players new to online gambling itself are going to walk into this ID trap on a regular basis, and are not going to find out till the first time they encounter a document request, which is likely to be on their first cash-in. Their view of the whole industry will then be tarnished, and they might come to believe that online gambling is just another of those scams, and will quit, and warn all their contacts about the "scam". The result will be that it will become ever harder to attract players to their first ever experience of online gambling, since they will be hearing the "scam" hypothesis through the "grape vine", and will view even the most reputable brands with prejudice.

It would be interesting to conduct a survey among adults who have NEVER gambled online before, and see how they view the industry. This is the pool from which EXPANSION of the industry will come. If casinos are simply fighting over the pool of experienced players, who will have a fixed amount of gambling money, it will cost them more to achieve the same collective revenue the harder they fight with each other.
With all these new casinos opening, it seems they ARE fighting very hard indeed for players. We are supposed to be in a slump, yet there is an abundance of new casinos opening every month, who may simply be poaching from their competitors, rather than gaining players new to the industry.

 

[AussieDave]

Did you know that sending a copy of some government issued ID (especially Passports) may contravene your Country's Federal laws.

Sending a copy of a credit card whether #'s are blanked out or not may contravene the terms & conditions agreement you have with the issuing bank of the aforementioned credit card.

If you are required to send government issued ID doc it's better to send a DL & then send it in black & white. The same goes for a passport too.

Cheers
T

 

[Rusty]

Well since I deposited via Moneybookers I sent them a screeny of my MB account and the relevant transaction along with my passport ID.

They sent back saying I made a deposit using a credit card back in February so would require all documents including front and back of VISA signed credit card agreement form and a utility bill to go with what I already sent!

They really know how to endear themselves to their customers. :notworthy

 

[vinylweatherman]

Did you know that sending a copy of some government issued ID (especially Passports) may contravene your Country's Federal laws.
Sending a copy of a credit card whether #'s are blanked out or not may contravene the terms & conditions agreement you have with the issuing bank of the aforementioned credit card.

If you are required to send government issued ID doc it's better to send a DL & then send it in black & white. The same goes for a passport too.

Cheers
T

Yes, but casinos don't give a Rat's ass, THEY have OUR money, and know that they WILL get that passport or license if they refuse to budge. Local goverment can do nothing about it since it is an offshore company making these demands, and when thousands of dollars, pounds, or euros are held to ransom, even the PLAYER wont be giving a Rat's ass about local laws.

Casinos are no taking these images of documents from nearly eery player that makes a cash-in, so the number of players the industry has is probably representative of the number of ID document images that have been transmitted via email. It is far worse though, since an individual player has to sent the documents once FOR EACH CASINO, so a single player with 40 accounts has probably sent around 40 sets of documentation via email, assuming they have played long enough on each account to encounter a cash-in.

Most governments are aware of online casinos by now, and really SHOULD know how the industry works. It would be an incredible lapse of standards for governments to be ignorant of the fact that requesting an image of either a drivers license or passport from a player is normal industry procedure, and that this procedure means that rogue casinos, as well as well regulated ones, will have regular access to image files of ID documentation.

Despite these risks, I am not aware of the UK goverment making any announcement about this, so must consider the risks involved minor at present (or of course, they could be ignorant of the practice). They may change their view the first time a major ID fraud incident is traced back to the online casino industry, and the industry might then be facing an over draconian "knee jerk" reaction from countries currently friendly to this industry, such as the UK.