AML & KYC

The request for documents almost always lands at the worst moment, when you want to withdraw a win. At FreshBet we explain why those checks exist and how they work, in plain terms. They are a standard part of how a certified operator runs, not an obstacle invented to slow you down.

Online gambling has always been an attractive channel for anyone wanting to launder money of illicit origin. Certificates require operators to actively obstruct that, rather than hope it does not happen. Under Curaçao Gaming Control Board certificate OGL/2024/1800/1049 these obligations apply fully to us as well.

What KYC means

KYC stands for know your customer, the process by which we confirm you are who you say you are. It is not a judgement on you, but a standard procedure applied to everyone in the same way. It covers document checks, comparisons with databases and sometimes a quick photo verification.

KYC sits alongside AML, the set of anti money laundering measures that monitor the flow of money. The two systems work together and cover different moments in an account’s life. The first verifies identity, the second watches how money moves over time.

The documents we ask for

Verification rests on a limited number of documents:

• A valid identity document: passport, identity card or driving licence
• A recent proof of address: a utility bill, bank statement or similar
• In some cases, proof of the source of the funds used to play

Documents must be legible, intact and valid, or the check is repeated. Most verifications close within a few working days, often sooner. If something is rejected, support explains exactly what to correct.

When the check happens

Verification typically takes place before the first withdrawal, but it can be brought forward based on account activity. An unusually large deposit or an atypical playing pattern may trigger it earlier than expected. It is not a suspicion aimed at you, but a procedure responding to objective parameters.

Some accounts never meet anything beyond the initial check, others receive further requests over time. It depends on the volumes moved and the regularity of the transactions. Responding with the correct documents closes the matter quickly.

The source of funds

Source-of-funds checks are the deepest level and concern a minority of players. They arise when the volumes moved call for confirmation of where the money comes from, as anti money laundering obligations require. In those cases payslips, bank statements or equivalent documentation may be requested.

Refusing to provide what is asked leads to the account being limited until the position is clarified. It is not a punishment, but the only possible response to an obligation that allows no exception. The great majority of players never meet this kind of check.

Ongoing monitoring

Anti money laundering does not end with the initial check, because behaviour changes over time. The systems watch transactions and flag significant departures from established habits. A sudden jump in deposits or withdrawals to different accounts comes under review.

The staff who assess these flags receive specific training on what to look for. This is not distrust of the player, but routine upkeep of a regulated system. A clean account passes through these checks without noticing them.

Why these checks exist

Behind the paperwork sits a simple aim. Verification keeps out fraud, identity theft and accounts opened with false documents, all of which harm honest players as much as the operator. A system that checks everyone protects those with nothing to hide too.

The honest player draws an indirect but real benefit from it. Rigorous checks make it far harder for stolen cards or laundered money to move through the platform. That keeps the environment cleaner for everyone who plays fairly.

Your documents afterwards

The documents you send are stored securely and used only for compliance purposes. Access is limited to staff who need it, and every consultation is logged. None of this information reaches marketing companies or is passed to unauthorised third parties.

You can ask at any time which documents we hold, as set out in the privacy policy. Retention terms flow from anti money laundering obligations and can extend for several years after the account closes. Before that expiry, we cannot delete what we are obliged to keep.