KYC and Verification

At Shikaka, maintaining a secure and trustworthy environment for all our players is paramount. We are legally obligated to verify the identity of our customers. This process, known as Know Your Customer, or KYC, helps us prevent fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling. By confirming who you are, we protect your account from unauthorised access and ensure that Shikaka remains a safe and fair platform for everyone.

Our commitment to responsible gaming and compliance with regulatory requirements means that identity verification is a fundamental part of your experience with Shikaka. This policy outlines why and how we conduct these checks, ensuring transparency and clarity.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, refers to the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of clients when opening accounts and periodically over time. It is a critical component of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and financial crime prevention. For Shikaka, this means we collect and verify certain personal information and documents from you.

The objective of KYC is to understand our customers better, assess potential risks, and ensure that our services are not used for illegal activities. This includes checking your name, address, date of birth, and sometimes your source of funds. Adhering to KYC standards allows Shikaka to operate legally and responsibly in all jurisdictions where we are licensed.

Verification is a multi-stage process that may be triggered at various points during your interaction with Shikaka. Typically, initial verification occurs upon registration or before your first withdrawal. However, we may request further verification at any time, particularly if:

• Your cumulative deposits or withdrawals reach a certain threshold.
• There are changes to your personal information.
• Our fraud detection systems flag unusual account activity.
• We are required to do so by our licensing authority or other regulatory bodies.
• You request a significant withdrawal amount.

We aim to make this process as unobtrusive as possible, but it is a necessary step to ensure compliance and security for all Shikaka players.

To complete our KYC procedures, we typically require documentation to confirm your identity, address, and sometimes your payment method. All documents submitted must be clear, valid, and show all relevant details. We may ask for:

• Proof of Identity (e.g., passport, national ID card, driving licence).
• Proof of Address (e.g., utility bill, bank statement).
• Proof of Payment Method (e.g., photo of credit card, screenshot of e-wallet).
• Proof of Source of Funds (in specific circumstances).

Please ensure that any documents you provide are not expired and are legible. Failure to provide adequate documentation may result in delays or restrictions on your account.

To verify your identity, we require a clear, colour copy of one of the following official government-issued documents:

• Passport: The photo page, showing your full name, date of birth, photo, signature, and machine-readable zone. It must be valid and not expired.
• National ID Card: Both front and back of the card, displaying your full name, date of birth, photo, and expiry date. It must be valid and not expired.
• Driving Licence: Both front and back of the card, showing your full name, date of birth, photo, and expiry date. It must be valid and not expired.

The document must clearly show your full name, date of birth, and a recognisable photograph. The information on the identity document must match the details registered on your Shikaka account.

To verify your residential address, we require a clear, colour copy of one of the following documents, issued within the last three months:

• Utility Bill: (e.g., electricity, gas, water, internet, landline phone bill). Mobile phone bills are generally not accepted.
• Bank Statement: A statement from your current account, credit card, or savings account.
• Government-Issued Letter: A letter from a government authority (e.g., tax authority, social security).

The document must clearly display your full name, your full residential address, and the date of issue. The name and address on the document must match the details registered on your Shikaka account. We cannot accept documents that are more than three months old.

Depending on the payment method you use, we may require verification to confirm you are the legitimate owner of the funds. This is a crucial step in preventing financial fraud and ensuring the security of your transactions at Shikaka.

• Credit/Debit Cards: We may request a photo of the front of your card, showing the first six and last four digits of the card number, your name, and the expiry date. Please ensure the middle digits and the CVV/CVC code on the back are securely covered.
• 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 of your online banking portal showing your name, account number, and the bank's logo.

Any details provided must correspond to the information registered on your Shikaka account.

In certain situations, particularly for high-value transactions or if there are concerns about the origin of funds, Shikaka is legally obliged to request information regarding your source of funds (SOF) or source of wealth (SOW). This is part of our enhanced due diligence (EDD) process and helps us comply with anti-money laundering regulations.

Documents that may be requested for SOF/SOW verification include, but are not limited to:

• Payslips or employment contracts.
• Bank statements showing regular income.
• Proof of inheritance.
• Proof of sale of property or assets.
• Company accounts or dividend statements.

We understand that this may seem intrusive, but it is a necessary measure to ensure the integrity of our platform and to protect both you and Shikaka from financial crime. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and used solely for compliance purposes.

Once you submit your documents, our dedicated verification team at Shikaka reviews them carefully. Our goal is to complete the verification process as quickly as possible. Typically, documents are reviewed within 24-48 hours of submission during business days.

You will receive email notifications regarding the status of your verification. If additional information or clearer documents are required, we will inform you promptly. To avoid delays, please ensure all submitted documents meet the requirements outlined in this policy and are uploaded through the designated secure portal on our website.

During peak times or if complex issues arise, verification may take slightly longer. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this essential process.

Shikaka employs robust security measures to protect your personal information and submitted documents. All data is transmitted and stored using advanced encryption technologies, in compliance with GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations. Access to your documents is strictly limited to authorised personnel involved in the verification process.

We will never share your personal documents with third parties unless legally required to do so by a regulatory authority or law enforcement. Your privacy and the security of your data are of utmost importance to us at Shikaka.

Shikaka is committed to preventing money laundering and the funding of terrorism. Our KYC and verification procedures are a cornerstone of our comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework. We adhere strictly to the AML regulations set forth by our licensing authority and international standards.

This commitment means we monitor transactions and account activity for suspicious patterns. Any activity deemed suspicious will be reported to the relevant authorities, as required by law. By playing at Shikaka, you agree to cooperate fully with our AML procedures.

Underage gambling is strictly prohibited. As part of our commitment to responsible gaming and legal compliance, Shikaka rigorously verifies the age of all players. Our verification processes are designed to confirm that all account holders are 18 years of age or older, or the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction, whichever is higher.

If we are unable to verify your age, your account may be suspended, and any funds deposited or winnings accrued may be forfeited. We employ various methods, including identity document checks and third-party age verification services, to prevent minors from accessing our platform. Protecting vulnerable individuals is a core principle at Shikaka.

If your verification process is delayed, it usually means that the documents provided were unclear, invalid, or additional information is required. We will contact you via email with specific instructions on what is needed to complete the process.

If verification is ultimately unsuccessful, despite multiple attempts to resolve issues, Shikaka reserves the right to suspend or close your account. This may also result in the forfeiture of any winnings and the return of any remaining deposits, subject to legal and regulatory obligations. Our decisions in such cases are made to ensure compliance and maintain the integrity of our platform.

We understand that the verification process can sometimes be confusing. If you have any questions, require assistance with uploading documents, or need clarification on any aspect of our KYC policy, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Customer Support team.

You can reach us via live chat on the Shikaka website or by sending an email to [[email protected]]. Our team is available [mention hours/days, e.g., 24/7 or Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM] to guide you through the process and address any concerns you may have. Your cooperation helps us maintain a secure and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone at Shikaka.