The Gambling Commission published guidance reiterating that remote gambling operators must verify customer identity before betting begins, in accordance with Licence Condition 17, and not only at the time of withdrawal. The UK regulator also warned of inadequate verification practices in the sector.
Licence Condition 17 requires that verification occur before the customer is authorized to play. The Commission advises that procedures be applied as early as possible, at the appropriate point in the consumer journey, to reduce uncertainties and avoid questions after betting begins.
Complaints at withdrawal
The Commission's Contact Centre continues to receive complaints about verifications requested only when funds are withdrawn. More than a quarter of the complaints received by the Contact Centre are related to identity verification.
Inadequate practices
Among the practices identified as inadequate by the Commission are the use of initials instead of the full name, the acceptance of nicknames, the use of business addresses, and the adoption of middle names instead of the first name. The Commission said it will continue to review operators' progress and that the topic will remain under regulatory attention.
