Poll Source of Wealth poll: How do the SOW requirements affect you? 2023

[Casinomeister]

So here we are again - watching the UK market implode on itself with hyper-regulation pushing good recreational players off onto the Caribbean licensed entities. So - players in the UK, what say you? Is this source of wealth benefiting your playing experience??

Please note - this industry is about, and revolves around THE PLAYER. So many folks - especially those at the top - are oblivious about that fact.

 

[satchnz]

Although I’ve answered this poll by choosing the first option (play at non UKGC licensed casinos), I’ve never actually been asked for SOW. But I know eventually I will reach some arbitrary deposit limit over an equally arbitrary time period which will trigger SOW.

If this happens at either of the two UKGC casinos I still play at, I will simply ask them to close my account. Although I have more than enough income to support my modest hobby, there is no way I’ll be giving over my personal financial information to some random unqualified chat agent. It’s just not going to happen. That’s why most of my play is done at crypto casinos now.

Another driver to go offshore is RTP. While the UKGC continue to pile on regulations on the industry, it is us the players who are paying for these changes in terms of lower returns. Or this is what the casinos use to justify lowering RTP at least.

It’s a nice sentiment to do this with the intention to provide the info to the UKGC, but I fear that all it will do is give them more reason to somehow make it harder for players to play offshore. There is nothing I’ve seen the UKGC do of late that benefits the player whatsoever.

 

[jasonuk]

No changes here, I still refuse SOW requests out of principle and I've refused two to date - amusingly both on small deposits where operators are blatantly trying to clean up possible EDD mistakes from years prior. Even if I was daft enough to agree, their data security leaves a lot to be desired - e.g. in one case they insisted I send my highly sensitive documents via email... which I'd expect is a de facto breach of the Data Protection Act.

I do think the incoming rules will at least bring some clarity, but I fear a lot of the damage is already done. We've already seen a marked increase here and on other forums about people considering crypto play, a lot of UK-based affiliates had already fled to Malta because of autoplay and bonus buys, the rest now seem to be considering likewise - Bandit is already promoting crypto casinos alongside gamstop and Rolla has this week visited Dublin to start playing on a crypto casino (and appears to be gearing up for crypto-based affiliation too).

Similarly I'm noticing people backtracking their language to normalise the dishonesty and fraud of fake crypto slot streamers, people who previously would have (rightly) called it out as a scam now performing some absurd mental gymnastics to suggest it's not that bad...

 

[Mattue]

I gave up and just play exclusively at 3Dice now. I'm not even sure what the legal side is regarding licenses, but it doesn't matter as I personally trust them more than any other casino so playing there always feels more enjoyable as you know you will be paid, and quickly, if you win.

Their loyalty system and customer service is also by far the best plus you avoid all the stupid rules and regulations the UK added.

 

[megadam]

I'm in a camp of two votes where I've played at a crypto casino and still play at normal casinos though the SOW checks are becoming a bit of a joke. The level of intrusiveness and data scraping is only getting worse and the validity/justification for making sure they can afford that £5 is a bit of a joke.

I understand that casinos have due diligence to make sure that player protections are followed but it's got to the literal point where it's forcing players to just go to either a land-based casino or go and buy scratchcards without having to make sure some external entity somewhere making a decision whether they can afford that £5 or not and then without going through a potentially hazardous process of taking a picture of your debit card 90 times before the system accepts it.

Balance is needed and at the moment the balance swings way too much into a nanny, un-fun market where I'm being dictated by the degree of difficulty it takes to deposit, let alone how hard it is to withdraw if you do get a win! I'd have been ok with this if it weren't for the other changes such as 999 seconds a spin, no auto-play, no bonus buys and the audacity to turn RTPs down to below 85% levels and take away loyalty schemes or any sort of cashback. No wonder people turn to Crypto, regardless of the risk of seeing anything it's just to be able have an essence of what used to be "fun"

 

[justdoit]

UK casinos they spamming my credit score check, for now I play only in L&L on and off on small deposits

 

[steveyboy]

I am running out of casinos because i will not supply some info they want. i have 2xcurrent a/cs and 1 savers a/c bank. 1 is for gambling only and when its getting short topped up from bank 2, so when i get a request i explain what i will send them. but no they want wage slips that are going into bank a/c etc and if they look at my input when i joined they would see that i am 72years old and most likley not working which i am not by the way.and. and there are some whom ask for what shares you have what investments do you have. eventually i will end up on some shady sites if this carries on.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

In the long run the UK gambling industry will only survive if certain things are rowed back on.

Firstly, arbitrary limits need to be ditched completely as absolute markers for interrogation of people’s personal finances. For example, why should someone who has wagered/deposited 10k over 4 years be treated the same as someone who does that in 2 months? There’s no common sense being applied there at all, none.

Secondly, and something that follows on from the first point, they need to move away from the ‘everyone is a potential problem gambler and/or money launderer’ mindset. This is the thing that is pushing casual players away. Instead move towards a case by case approach where there’s active monitoring of individual’s gambling activities. If anything stands out as abnormal then pull them in for EDD.

The above, IMO, would strike a fair balance between player protection and continued fun in gambling within the UK.

Of course there will be people that slip through the net, but anything is impossible to police 100% effectively…so it’s pointless trying to achieve that and cause so much collateral damage to the industry on a wider scale. The UKGC need to understand that.

 

[johnnymcc1966]

I am a househusband so don't have a personal income. I can't prove I have any money so I simply stick to the sites that dont ask. Just the big bookies and Lottomart up to now. Will never touch a crypto casino as I dont understand them anyway.

 

[kidgloves]

I play at a grand total of 2 sites. One has gone full hog and asked for SOW around 5 years ago which I complied with and have not had a peep out of them since. The other has done the lighter due diligence SOW check on cards / driving licence etc but I await their SOW request - which I will now seriously consider not complying with and move to just one site.
I'm hoping to stay under the radar as my turnovers are a lot lower than 5 years ago - I was a 2-3 GBP a spin player who is now happy playing 20-40p a spin so deposits and withdrawals are significantly lower.

 

[Deeplay]

For me the UK came to an end when Rizk casino pulled the SOW shite on my after a withdraw after i had deposited numerous times. This was a couple of years ago. I think I played at VS for a bit longer but then bailed. I will never give SOW ever - and if ever requested would only give limited KYC but thankfully the cyrpto casinos I have played at ask for nothing but ya cash. Just made a decent cashout of over 2k was processed instantly and in my bank within a few hours after working its way through crypto land. No questions asked as it should be.

 

[Bonnie69]

I won £3500 and they refused to pay out unless I provided everything they asked for, it was so bad that they asked for wage slips six times and six times I told them I recycle to help less fortunate people, and don’t pay myself a wage, as I’m retired. They were having none of it and it looked like I was going to lose my winnings, until casinomeister stepped in.
I find it an insult and find it bordering on data protection. If I want to gamble, it’s up to me, not them, so I just move on, there are plenty of casinos out there, the trouble is, it’s getting to a point where they are all starting to ask for it.
The hippodrome casino in London even asked where my money was coming from after I lost Grand, when I queried it, the reply was it’s the government and it’s only going to get worse.

 

[EasterEEL]

I've pretty much given up playing online casino's. Typically identity verification documents have only been requested when trying to withdraw a decent win, which delays payment. Intercasino (gone now) would not allow withdrawal to orginal debit card because I had exceeded the money deposited (money laundering so sent me a cheque). Paddy Power restricted the daily amount I could take out after a big win and it took me four days to withdraw. 888 refused to pay me winnings stating bonus abuse (I had been using them for weeks after meeting bonus requirement and the issue only cropped up after trying to withdraw after a decent win).

No way will I go through SOW with any gambling organisation, I just don't trust them with my private info.

The stupid thing is the best way to do this would be with our banks running our current accounts. They know our financial history and it would be easy to agree a weekly/monthly/yearly maximum limit which can be transferred to gambling designated companies from our current account.

 

[shadow123]

Never thought I would do it but nearly all my play now is at a Crypto casino and have never enjoyed playing
so much, the comparison to the UK casinos is unbelivable.
I can now play at what stakes I want, for as long as I want,all game features restored,proper bonuses,top rtps
(Red Tiger on 96 %).
Payouts are fast and no questions are ever asked.
There is only one downside, the chance of a casino going rogue and having no comeback if things go tits up, but
I never leave a sizable balance in the Casino although I have never seen a single complaint against them.
I think my playing days are close to the end due to my advancing years but at least I will enjoy what is left of them.
The UKGC have fucked the UK market up totally with players paying the price,there is no reason to play there any more.

 

[Uffboy22]

I refuse at non EU casinos. Ive only ever been asked if i hit a big win off small deposits. I played at a casino 5 years ago (bust now) won 12k off 300 deposit. They tried SOW. I supplied proof of a paypal fishing equipment sale to fund the deposit and they asked for last 6 months bank statement etc etc. I think its done to delay winnings and hope you gamble away the money.

 

[marshallmdmiller]

Never thought I would do it but nearly all my play now is at a Crypto casino and have never enjoyed playing
so much, the comparison to the UK casinos is unbelivable.
I can now play at what stakes I want, for as long as I want,all game features restored,proper bonuses,top rtps
(Red Tiger on 96 %).
Payouts are fast and no questions are ever asked.
There is only one downside, the chance of a casino going rogue and having no comeback if things go tits up, but
I never leave a sizable balance in the Casino although I have never seen a single complaint against them.
I think my playing days are close to the end due to my advancing years but at least I will enjoy what is left of them.
The UKGC have fucked the UK market up totally with players paying the price,there is no reason to play there any more.

what crypto casino do you play at?

 

[justdoit]

Never thought I would do it but nearly all my play now is at a Crypto casino and have never enjoyed playing
so much, the comparison to the UK casinos is unbelivable.
I can now play at what stakes I want, for as long as I want,all game features restored,proper bonuses,top rtps
(Red Tiger on 96 %).
Payouts are fast and no questions are ever asked.
There is only one downside, the chance of a casino going rogue and having no comeback if things go tits up, but
I never leave a sizable balance in the Casino although I have never seen a single complaint against them.
I think my playing days are close to the end due to my advancing years but at least I will enjoy what is left of them.
The UKGC have fucked the UK market up totally with players paying the price,there is no reason to play there any more.

I change my credit limit to most of UK casinos to £5pm to avoid playing

 

[shadow123]

what crypto casino do you play at?

BC Game, I dont recommend any Crypto casino but they work well for me

 

[tdbet]

It's a real shame the UKGC keeps heaping on all this regulatory nonsense, driving players away from the UK market. I've had a go with these Crypto casinos, and while they're fun, it feels a bit dodgy. Sad to say, but I've got this nagging feeling that a bunch of them might just do a runner and not payout one day. Sure is frustrating

 

[tdbet]

Hey guys, where would you recommend a newbie living in the UK purchase Crypto?

 

[Cicadasinthetrees78]

Bit of option one, bit of option three. People are in for a shock if they don’t realise crypto sites do KYC. Run a balance up high enough and they’ll start giving grief.

 

[mrbtcgambler]

Hey guys, where would you recommend a newbie living in the UK purchase Crypto?

Coinbase is good, but you will need to KYW and SOW

 

[justdoit]

Coinbase is good, but you will need to KYW and SOW

Coinbase fees are way to expansive, for investment EToro is much better

 

[KasinoKing]

Bit of option one, bit of option three. People are in for a shock if they don’t realise crypto sites do KYC. Run a balance up high enough and they’ll start giving grief.

Same here - but I couldn't vote for both, so I chose option 3.

I basically only play at one UK licenced casino these days.
I would like to play at a few others, but can't face all that SOW bollox at any other places.
RIZK casino was the final straw - I sent them my tax return and bank statement - and they STILL closed my account after I had been playing there for at least 4 years

Of course, I also play at unregulated places (have since the early 2000's) and have not had any problems at the reputable ones.

KK

 

[nfehily]

Same here - but I couldn't vote for both, so I chose option 3.

I basically only play at one UK licenced casino these days.
I would like to play at a few others, but can't face all that SOW bollox at any other places.
RIZK casino was the final straw - I sent them my tax return and bank statement - and they STILL closed my account after I had been playing there for at least 4 years

Of course, I also play at unregulated places (have since the early 2000's) and have not had any problems at the reputable ones.

KK

Which ARE the reputable ones, if you don't mind me asking?