- Purpose and legal basis
Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford operates under the regulatory framework established by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). As a condition of holding a licence to offer gambling services in Great Britain, the company is required to verify the identity of every customer before permitting any gambling activity. This obligation is set out in UKGC Licence Condition 17.1.1 (Customer Identity Verification), which forms part of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
Identity verification at Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford serves three distinct regulatory purposes: confirming that a customer is at least 18 years of age, checking that the customer is not subject to a self-exclusion arrangement, and establishing that the customer is who they claim to be. These checks also support obligations under anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) legislation, including the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Money Laundering Regulations applicable in the United Kingdom.
- When verification is required
Verification must be completed before a customer is permitted to gamble. This applies to all account holders regardless of the amount they intend to deposit or wager. The service does not permit access to real-money gambling activity, including any product that shares a platform with real-money services, until the required identity checks have been completed and confirmed.
Customers must be informed, prior to any deposit being accepted, of the types of documents or information that may be requested, the circumstances in which they may be requested, and how they should be provided. This document serves as that notification.
Customers who have submitted a withdrawal request will not be asked to provide identity documents that could reasonably have been requested at an earlier stage of the account relationship. However, where separate legal obligations apply, such as AML requirements or enhanced due diligence triggered by account activity, additional information may still be required at any point.
- Minimum information required
As a minimum, the following information must be obtained and verified for every customer:
- Full legal name
- Residential address
- Date of birth
This information is collected at the point of account registration and must be verified before gambling is permitted. A combination of electronic verification methods and document-based checks is used to confirm this information. Electronic checks may include queries against credit reference agency data, electoral roll records, and other authoritative national databases.
- Accepted identity documents
Where electronic verification alone is insufficient to confirm a customer’s identity, or where a risk assessment requires additional confirmation, one or more of the following documents may be requested.
Primary identity documents
- Valid passport (any nationality)
- UK driving licence (full or provisional, photocard)
- EU or EEA national identity card
- HM Armed Forces identity card
Proof of address documents
A proof of address document must typically be dated within the last three months. Accepted documents include:
- Utility bill (gas, electricity, water, broadband)
- Bank or building society statement
- Council tax bill or demand
- Mortgage statement
- Official government correspondence addressed to the customer
Proof of payment method
Where required, customers may be asked to confirm ownership of the payment method used to fund their account. This may include:
- A photograph of a debit card with the middle digits obscured
- A bank statement showing relevant transactions
- A screenshot of an e-wallet or payment account in the customer’s name
- Photographic and biometric confirmation
In certain circumstances, a photograph of the customer holding their identity document may be requested, sometimes accompanied by a handwritten note containing the date and a reference provided by the company. Where photographic evidence is submitted, the customer’s appearance will be compared to the photograph on the document as part of the verification process.
- Electronic verification standards
Where identity is verified electronically, the process must confirm both that the individual exists as a record and that the customer is genuinely that person. The standard applied is consistent with UKGC guidance on electronic verification, which generally requires a match on full name, date of birth, and current address across at least two independent data sources. This is commonly referred to as a two-plus-two confirmation standard.
Alternative methods may be used where appropriate, including confirmation that a first deposit originates from a bank account held in the customer’s name at a regulated credit institution.
- Enhanced due diligence
Where a customer’s account activity, deposit levels, or risk profile indicate a higher level of risk, enhanced due diligence measures may be applied. This may involve requesting additional documentation, including evidence of source of funds or source of wealth. The specific triggers for enhanced due diligence are determined by internal risk assessment procedures in line with UKGC AML guidance and are not disclosed in full for compliance reasons.
- Accuracy of identity information
Reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the identity information held about customers remains accurate over time. Customers are responsible for notifying the company of any changes to their registered name, address, or other identity details. Updated documentation may be requested periodically to maintain the accuracy of records.
- Account status during verification
Where a customer has deposited funds but has not yet completed identity verification, those funds will not be removed from the customer’s deposit balance solely on the basis that verification is outstanding. However, if a customer account remains unverified for a period of 12 months, the company reserves the right to apply a reasonable periodic account maintenance charge in accordance with UKGC guidance.
Gambling activity will remain suspended until verification is complete. Withdrawal of funds may also be withheld until identity has been confirmed, where this is required by legal or regulatory obligations.
- Data handling
Identity documents and personal information submitted for verification purposes are processed in accordance with the applicable Privacy Policy and UK data protection legislation. Documents are retained only for as long as required by law or regulation. Customers have the right to request information about how their data is used by contacting the company through the channels set out in the Privacy Policy.
- Contact and queries
For questions about the identity verification process, the status of verification, or the documents required in specific circumstances, customers should contact the customer support team using the contact details available on the Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford website. Verification-related queries will be answered as promptly as reasonably practicable, with clear guidance on any outstanding requirements.