What Players Need to Know About Age Verification in the UK

The UK’s Stricter Approach to Age Verification

UKGC-licensed casino operators must obtain and verify information before customers can deposit, play demo games, or gamble. Typically, this means providing the basics, like name, address, and date of birth. If the casino requires more information for withdrawals, it must request this promptly and mustn’t use verification procedures to delay withdrawals.

In the past, you might not have had to verify your details until you tried to make a withdrawal. This sometimes caused delays and complications in payments and, more worryingly, could allow underage players to gamble.

These regulations came into effect in 2019, with recent enforcement prompting operators to tighten up their processes. In September 2025, Maple International Ventures Limited paid a £360,000 fine for breaching licence conditions. It was found that customers had evaded automatic checks, unverified players made transactions beyond due diligence thresholds, and measures were insufficient to identify players experiencing problem gambling.

Penalties for these breaches are typically directed toward socially responsible purposes. Stricter verification and operator penalties are ultimately about protection and safeguarding. We need only look at recent statistics to see why.

The UKGC’s 2024 Young People and Gambling report found a “significant increase” in underage gambling online compared to 2023. 6% of young people gambled online on their parents’ or guardians’ accounts, and the percentage of young people experiencing problem gambling doubled. Reports like these highlight the need for verification to protect vulnerable people and keep regulated gambling safe and enjoyable for legitimate players.

With the UKGC widely seen as the regulatory ‘gold standard’, these changes may influence other authorities. Another well-regarded licensing body, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), requires operators to implement policies preventing young people from gambling, but doesn’t currently have a set procedure for age verification.

Age verification can slow down registration, but since players must verify eventually, early checks are a reasonable trade-off for safer platforms.

Different Stages of Age Verification

Verifying your age at a licensed casino in the UK isn’t difficult, but there are a few stages involved. Here’s an overview of what you need to do:

Stage 1: Registration

Joining a reputable casino starts with filling out your basic details: name, address, and date of birth. Once you click the registration button, a string of electronic checks happens almost instantly. The casino compares your details to information on numerous databases, including the electoral roll and credit reference agencies, in the blink of an eye.

If this is successful, you’ll see confirmation right away. For most UK players, verification is completed automatically at this stage. If not, you’ll be asked to provide documentation.

Stage 2: Before Your First Deposit

If your account wasn’t authenticated via electronic checks, you’ll need to provide documentation. Upload clear pictures of the photo page of your passport, or the front and back of your driving licence. Make sure your ID is in date or it won’t be accepted.

Manual reviews typically take 24 to 48 hours, so you’re unlikely to play on the day you sign up. You can’t deposit or gamble until this is all cleared, including free-to-play games, demo games, or using bonus funds.

Stage 3: Before Your First Withdrawal

Online casinos mustn’t leave verification until your first withdrawal request. However, you’ll sometimes need to provide a few more documents for legal compliance before the casino releases your money.

Additional documents cover proof of address, payment method verification and income patterns, according to social responsibility and money laundering policies.

Stage 4: Ongoing Verification Triggers

Verification isn’t a one-time process. Operators are legally required to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date. If the casino’s monitoring systems spot a change of address, large transactions, or other unusual activity on your account, this should trigger a re-verification process.

When it comes to large transactions, you’ll need to prove Source of Funds (SoF). For other issues, uploading a selfie or video (to confirm that the person on your ID is the same one controlling the account) may be sufficient.

There’s no hard and fast rule on how often these checks occur. Triggers depend on your activity, account changes, and the casino’s terms and conditions.

Why You Might Face Additional Checks

If a casino requests further verification, don’t panic! There are plenty of reasons why your account might prompt extra checks. Most are easy to resolve. These are some common issues:

• The information you provided doesn’t match the databases or shows inconsistencies.
• You’ve recently changed address, name, or job.
• It’s your first time gambling online and there’s no record of your activity.
• You’ve deposited higher amounts than usual and triggered enhanced due diligence. Other changes in your payment behaviour can also trigger this, for example, multiple or more frequent deposits.
• You’re using a payment method that requires additional verification, such as e-wallets, or you’ve reached the casino’s due diligence threshold for transactions.

A request for additional checks doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your account. It’s like shopping with your contactless bank card: occasionally, you have to enter your PIN as a security precaution.

Red Flags to Look Out For: Legitimate Requests vs Scams

To help keep your account safe, look out for unusual practices:

Normal UK Casino Verification:

• Documents are requested through a secure account portal that matches the casino’s web address
• The casino asks for standard ID documents: driving licence, passport, recent utility bills
• You are given clear explanations for the additional verification and the specific documents requested
• The casino clearly displays a valid UKGC licence number and the UKGC’s official site matches these details
• Requests are made at appropriate points and the casino responds to you in a reasonable timeframe

Warning Signs:

• Documents are requested via email attachments, through an unusual web link, or from an unrecognised address
• Documents are requested before you’ve registered
• The casino doesn’t display a UKGC licence
• Requests are vague and continue indefinitely
• You can gamble extensively before completing any verification
• The casino doesn’t provide a clear, written policy covering verification requirements
• You are charged fees or have funds seized for incomplete verification, without prior explanation

Pro Tips for Smoother Verification at UK Casinos

To streamline your UK verification process, follow these top tips:

• Fill out your registration details exactly as shown on your ID. Check spelling, title, address (think: house name vs house number).
• Register with your electoral roll address. This reliable, authorised source is the most common database used to match your identity. Make sure the address you use matches your ID.
• Get your documents ready beforehand: usually your passport or driving licence, and a recent utility bill (not your Netflix subscription). These need to be current. That’s to say, within the expiry date for photo ID, and bills dated within three months.
• If using your mobile phone, take pictures using portrait orientation with all four corners in shot. All text should be readable and the image must be free from glare or shadows.
• Keep track of what you’ve submitted. Check your account and emails for any updates and respond promptly.

Bonus tip: Check how many documents you can upload in one go. Don’t upload multiple documents in one file unless you’re asked to, as this may require time-consuming manual checks.

Common Scenarios

“I signed up to a casino and was verified instantly, but my friend signed up and had to complete extra steps. Why did we have different experiences at the same casino?”

If you were verified instantly, this means your details were a clean match with the electronic checks. There are many reasons for additional checks and in most cases extra verification is straightforward. Contact the casino’s customer support if you need clarification.

“The casino asked me for more documents, but now says my uploads don’t match. What should I do?

Go back and look at what you’ve submitted and check for discrepancies. Have you uploaded documents with different addresses, or is your name shown differently? Ask the casino to confirm which documents need updating and what you need to provide to resolve the issue.

“I uploaded my documents two days ago, but I still can’t use my account.”

Manual checks take considerably longer than automated verification. Review the casino’s verification policy for specific timeframes, though this may be longer than general customer support response times. Keep an eye on your emails for any further action.