KYC Policy
This Know Your Customer (KYC) Policy applies to all accounts registered at BetWhale. KYC verification is a legal requirement under our Curacao Gaming License and international anti-money laundering (AML) standards. It exists to confirm the identity of every player on our platform, prevent financial crime, and ensure that our services are not accessed by minors. This page explains what we require, when we require it, how we handle your data, and what happens if verification is not completed.
Why We Conduct KYC
KYC is not optional. Every licensed gaming operator is required to verify the identity of its users before permitting withdrawals and, in certain cases, before continued use of the platform. Our KYC procedures serve four purposes: confirming that you are who you say you are, ensuring you are of legal betting age, preventing fraud and identity theft, and complying with AML and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) obligations under applicable gaming regulations.
We apply these checks consistently and without exception. An unverified account may deposit and play, but withdrawal requests will not be processed until verification is complete. We recommend completing KYC promptly after registration to avoid any delays when you want to withdraw.
When Verification Is Required
KYC checks are triggered at specific points in your account lifecycle. The table below outlines the standard triggers.
| Trigger | What Happens | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| First withdrawal request | Full identity and address verification required before funds are released | Must be completed before withdrawal is processed |
| Account registration | Basic identity information collected — full document verification may be deferred to first withdrawal | At point of registration |
| Cumulative deposit threshold | We may request verification when cumulative deposits reach a defined threshold under AML monitoring | When threshold is reached — you will be notified by email |
| Suspicious activity flag | Additional verification or enhanced due diligence may be required if unusual activity is detected on your account | At our discretion — you will be notified promptly |
| Periodic review | We conduct scheduled reviews of existing accounts to ensure compliance with current regulatory requirements | At intervals determined by our compliance team |
| Change of personal details | If you update your name, address, or payment method, re-verification of affected details may be required | At the time of the change request |
Documents We Accept
All documents submitted for KYC must be valid, legible, unaltered, and issued by an official authority. We accept the following.
Proof of Identity
One of the following is required to confirm your full name and date of birth. The document must be current — expired documents are not accepted.
| Document Type | Requirements | Accepted Format |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Full data page visible · Not expired · Name must match account registration | Clear photo or scan — all four corners visible |
| Government-issued photo ID | National ID card · Both front and back required · Not expired | Clear photo or scan of both sides |
| Driver’s licence | Must include photo, full name, and date of birth · Not expired | Clear photo or scan — front required, back if name/DOB appears there |
Proof of Address
One of the following is required to confirm your current residential address. The document must be dated within the last three months and must show your full name and address.
| Document Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Utility bill | Gas, electricity, water, or internet · Dated within 3 months · Full name and address visible |
| Bank statement | Issued by your bank or financial institution · Dated within 3 months · Full name and address visible |
| Official government correspondence | Tax notice, benefit letter, or similar · Dated within 3 months · Full name and address visible |
Payment Method Verification
In some cases we may request confirmation that the payment method used to deposit belongs to you. For cards, this typically means a photo of the card showing the last four digits and name — the middle digits and CVV must be obscured. For e-wallets or crypto, a screenshot confirming account ownership may be requested. This step protects you against unauthorised use of your payment methods.
Verification Process
Once you submit your documents, the following sequence applies.
Data Protection and Storage
All documents and personal data submitted for KYC purposes are handled in accordance with our GDPR Policy and applicable data protection law. We apply the following safeguards without exception.
| Safeguard | How We Apply It |
|---|---|
| Encryption | All documents are transmitted and stored using advanced encryption. Data in transit is protected by SSL/TLS. Data at rest is encrypted on secure servers. |
| Access controls | KYC documents are accessible only to authorised compliance personnel. Access is logged and audited. |
| Third-party processors | Where third-party KYC providers are engaged, they are selected on the basis of their regulatory compliance, data protection standards, and industry reputation. Data sharing is governed by written agreements. |
| Retention period | KYC data is retained for the period required under our gaming license and applicable regulations. On account closure or expiry of the mandatory retention period, data is securely deleted. |
| No commercial use | KYC documents are used solely for identity verification and regulatory compliance. They are never used for marketing purposes or shared with third parties outside of our compliance obligations. |
Consequences of Non-Compliance
We apply a consistent approach to accounts that do not complete KYC when required. The following measures may be applied depending on the circumstances.
| Measure | When Applied | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawal hold | Verification not completed at point of first withdrawal request | Withdrawal is queued but not released until verification is approved. Your balance is not at risk — it remains in your account. |
| Account restriction | KYC request not responded to within a reasonable timeframe, or documents repeatedly submitted in an unusable state | Account may be restricted to deposit and play only until verification is completed. |
| Account suspension | Continued non-compliance after repeated requests, or where risk indicators are present | Account suspended pending compliance review. Support will contact you to resolve. |
| Funds frozen | Significant compliance concern or regulatory obligation to hold funds pending investigation | Balance frozen temporarily. Funds are released on successful verification unless a legal obligation requires otherwise. |
| Regulatory reporting | Suspected fraud, money laundering, or other financial crime | We are legally obligated to report such activity to the relevant regulatory authority. Account closure and referral to law enforcement may follow. |
Your Responsibilities
By registering an account with us, you agree to the following obligations in relation to KYC.
You must provide accurate, complete, and truthful information at registration and throughout your account lifetime. You must submit documents that are valid, current, legible, and unaltered. You must respond to KYC requests promptly — delays caused by late submission are not grounds for a withdrawal extension. You must notify us of any changes to your registered personal details, including name, address, or payment method, as soon as they occur. You are responsible for maintaining only one account — multiple accounts are prohibited, and any accounts identified as duplicates will be closed.
Age Verification
We do not permit users under the age of 18 to register or play on our platform. Age verification is a mandatory component of our KYC process. Where there is any uncertainty about a user’s age, we will request identity documents before allowing continued access. Accounts found to be held by minors will be immediately closed and any deposits returned. We cooperate fully with any regulatory authority conducting age verification compliance reviews.
Contact
If you have questions about your verification status, need to submit documents, or want to understand what is required for your account, contact our support team directly. Live chat is available 24/7 for the fastest response. For document submission, email [email protected] with your account username in the subject line. Full contact details are on our Contact Us page.
This policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated to reflect regulatory changes or improvements to our compliance procedures. Users will be notified of material changes through platform notifications or email.
