KYC and Verification

At Shikaka, maintaining a secure and trustworthy environment for all our players is paramount. Verifying your identity is a critical step in achieving this. It allows us to comply with stringent regulatory requirements set by our licensing authority, preventing fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling. By confirming who you are, we protect both your account and the integrity of our platform, ensuring a fair and safe gaming experience for everyone.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, is a regulatory process that financial institutions and online gambling operators like Shikaka must follow. It involves collecting and verifying personal information about our customers. This process helps us understand who our players are, assess potential risks, and fulfill our legal obligations. KYC is not just a formality, it is a fundamental pillar of responsible gaming and financial security, designed to protect you and the wider financial system.

Verification is an ongoing process at Shikaka, not a one-time event. You may be asked to provide documentation at several stages:

• Upon Registration: We may conduct initial checks when you first create an account.
• Before Your First Withdrawal: To comply with anti-money laundering regulations, we often require full verification before processing your first withdrawal request.
• When Reaching Certain Deposit or Withdrawal Thresholds: Our licensing obligations require us to conduct further checks if your cumulative transactions reach specific monetary limits.
• Changes in Account Activity: If there are unusual patterns or significant changes in your gaming or transaction behaviour, we may request updated information.
• Periodic Reviews: We conduct regular reviews of player accounts to ensure the information we hold is current and accurate.
• Regulatory Requests: On occasion, our licensing authority may require us to perform additional verification checks on specific accounts.

To complete our verification procedures, Shikaka may request various documents. These are typically categorised as proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of payment method. All documents must be valid, legible, and show all relevant details. We may ask for digital copies, such as clear photographs or scans, of these documents.

To confirm your identity, we generally require one of the following official, government-issued documents:

• Passport: A full colour copy of the photo page, ensuring all four corners are visible and the machine-readable zone is clear.
• National ID Card: A full colour copy of both the front and back of your national identification card.
• Driving Licence: A full colour copy of both the front and back of your driving licence.

The document must be current and not expired. The name on the document must match the name registered on your Shikaka account.

To verify your residential address, we require a document issued within the last three months, clearly showing your name, address, and the issue date. Acceptable documents include:

• Utility Bill: Such as electricity, gas, water, or internet bill. Mobile phone bills are generally not accepted.
• Bank Statement: A statement from a recognised financial institution.
• Credit Card Statement: A statement showing your residential address.
• Government-Issued Correspondence: Such as a tax statement or official letter from a government agency.

The name and address on this document must match the details registered on your Shikaka account. We cannot accept documents that are more than three months old.

To ensure the security of your transactions and prevent unauthorised use of payment instruments, we may ask for verification of your deposit and withdrawal methods. The specific requirements depend on the method used:

• Credit/Debit Cards: We may request a copy of the front of your card, showing the first six and last four digits of the card number, your name, and the expiry date. For security, please obscure the middle eight digits and the CVV/CVC code on the back.
• E-Wallets (e.g., Skrill, Neteller, PayPal): A screenshot of your e-wallet account page, clearly showing your name, email address, and account ID.
• Bank Transfers: A copy of a bank statement or a screenshot from your online banking portal showing your name, account number, and bank logo.

The name on the payment method must match the name registered on your Shikaka account.

In certain circumstances, particularly when transactions involve larger amounts, Shikaka is legally obligated to understand the source of your funds. This process is known as Source of Funds (SoF) verification. We may request documentation to confirm the origin of the money you use to gamble. This could include, but is not limited to, payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, proof of inheritance, or sale of assets. This is part of our Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) procedures, designed to combat financial crime and protect our players. We handle all such information with the utmost confidentiality.

Once you submit your documents, our dedicated compliance team will review them. We aim to process all verification requests as quickly as possible. Typically, this takes between 24 and 72 hours, though it may take longer during peak times or if further information is required. You will be notified via email or through your Shikaka account when your verification is complete or if we need additional details. Please ensure all submitted documents are clear, complete, and meet our requirements to avoid delays.

At Shikaka, we take your privacy and data security very seriously. All documents and personal information you provide are stored securely in encrypted databases, protected by advanced security measures. We adhere strictly to data protection regulations, including GDPR, ensuring your data is handled confidentially and only accessed by authorised personnel for verification purposes. We will never share your personal information with third parties unless legally required to do so by our licensing authority or other relevant legal bodies.

Shikaka operates under strict anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Our KYC procedures are a fundamental part of our AML framework. We are committed to preventing our platform from being used for illegal activities, including money laundering and terrorist financing. By verifying your identity and monitoring transactions, we fulfil our legal obligations to detect and report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. This commitment helps maintain the integrity of the financial system and protects all our players.

Gambling is strictly prohibited for individuals under the legal age of 18 (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher). Our age verification procedures are in place to prevent underage gambling, which is a serious offence. During the verification process, we confirm your age using official identification documents. Any account found to belong to a minor will be immediately closed, and any winnings forfeited. We are dedicated to promoting responsible gaming and protecting vulnerable individuals.

If your verification is delayed, it usually means we require further clarification or additional documents. We will contact you with specific instructions. If verification is unsuccessful after multiple attempts, or if we cannot verify your identity to our satisfaction, we may be unable to continue offering our services. This could result in account restrictions, suspension, or closure, and any pending withdrawals may be delayed or cancelled until verification is complete. We will always communicate the reasons for such decisions and guide you on any possible next steps.

We understand that the verification process can sometimes be complex. If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with submitting your documents, our customer support team is here to help. You can contact us via live chat or email, and our trained agents will guide you through the process, answer your queries, and ensure a smooth experience. We are committed to making your journey with Shikaka as straightforward as possible.