Identity Checks

Ontario Casino checks every player before any money moves, and continues to monitor accounts for unusual activity afterwards. Below we set out what is checked, the documents we might ask for and the steps taken if verification cannot be finished.

A. Why we verify

Verification keeps your account secure, stops underage play and blocks financial crime.

Only people in jurisdictions where gambling is legal may play, and our operations follow Canadian rules on identity checks, age verification and money laundering prevention. Verifying who you are means nobody but you can deposit, play or withdraw on your account. It also proves you are 19+, protects other players from fraud and stops criminals from using casino accounts to hide the origin of money. These checks apply to every account before play, including Ontario Rewards members and VIP players.

B. Ongoing monitoring

Verification continues after registration, and we keep watching account activity for the whole time the account remains open.

Our systems and trained staff look for activity that does not match a normal playing pattern. Examples include:

large or frequent deposits followed by withdrawals with very little play;
deposits made with payment methods owned by someone who is not the account holder;
sudden changes in spending that do not fit the account history;
multiple accounts connected to one individual, one device or a single payment method;
attempts to play from a location where we do not accept players.

If anything looks unusual, we may ask for extra information or documents before processing further deposits, bets or withdrawals. Monitoring also helps our safer play work, since unusual spending can point to gambling harm as well as to financial risk.

C. Identity and age checks

Your first deposit can go through only once your age, identity and location have been verified.

At registration you give us your complete name, home address, birth date and contact details. In most cases these are confirmed by secure electronic checks against trusted data sources, so many players never have to upload any document. Before each deposit, a geolocation check also verifies that play is allowed at your location.

If electronic checks cannot confirm your details, we will request documents. These may include:

Identity: a valid government-issued photo document: a passport, a photo card from your province and a provincial driver's licence are all accepted.
Address: an official letter from a government body, an up-to-date bank statement or a utility bill, with your name and home address both shown.
Payment ownership: proof that every card, e-wallet or bank account connected to your account is yours, for instance a statement or a screenshot from your MuchBetter or online banking account. Card images should show only the first six digits and the last four digits.

Every document must be in colour, legible, uncropped and unedited. We may also ask for a selfie of you holding your identity document to check that it is yours.

D. Record keeping and reporting duties

We store verification records securely and report suspicious activity as Canadian law requires.

Canadian anti-money laundering rules require us to hold your identity papers, check results and payment history for the full retention period they set, and this continues after your account closes. Only team members whose compliance duties require it can open these files. See our Personal Data Policy for details on how we store and secure this information.

When Canadian law requires, we file reports on suspicious transactions, and on some large transactions, with the relevant Canadian authorities. Legal rules may stop us from letting a player know whether a report has been made, and we do not discuss reporting decisions with account holders.

E. When verification cannot be completed

Where verification cannot be completed, the account remains restricted until the issue is settled.

We will place a restriction on your account when the documents we ask for never arrive, cannot be read or contradict your account information. While restricted, you may be unable to deposit, play or withdraw until the issue is settled with you by email. We close the account when verification cannot be completed, or when we find forged documents, someone else using the account or a player under 19. Bets that breach our Terms of Use may be voided, and any bonuses credited under our Bonus Terms may be taken back. Where the law allows, verified deposit balances are sent back to your original payment method.

F. Source of funds

If your activity increases, we may request details on where your money comes from.

If your deposits rise or your activity changes significantly, we may need to understand how you fund your play. This helps us meet our legal duties and confirm that your spending is affordable. Helpful evidence can include tax documents, bank statements, recent payslips or records showing an inheritance or a property sale. This information is treated carefully and confidentially, and deposit limits may apply while the check is ongoing.

G. Screening for politically exposed persons, plus sanctions lists

All accounts are screened for politically exposed status and against sanctions lists.

Every account is screened at opening and continuously afterwards. Canadian rules define a politically exposed person as an individual who currently holds, or previously held, an important public office, and the definition can include family members and close associates. Players with this status can still play, but their accounts receive enhanced checks, including questions on where their money comes from. Anyone named on a Canadian or international sanctions list is not accepted; any match is blocked and dealt with under Canadian law.

H. Contact

Questions about verification? Our team will guide you through it by email.

Need help with your documents or an update on your verification status? Email help@ontariocasino.app and make sure the message comes from your account's sign-up address. Send document images only to this address. Our Terms of Use list more requirements that apply to your account.