KYC and Verification

At Shikaka, ensuring a safe, secure, and responsible gaming environment for all our players is paramount. Identity verification is a critical component of this commitment. It allows us to confirm that you are who you claim to be, safeguarding your account from unauthorised access and preventing fraudulent activities. This process also enables us to comply with stringent regulatory requirements set by our licensing authority, which are designed to protect both players and the integrity of the online gambling industry.

By verifying your identity, we can effectively prevent underage gambling, combat money laundering, and promote responsible gaming practices. This dedication to verification helps maintain a trustworthy platform where you can enjoy your gaming experience with peace of mind.

KYC, or "Know Your Customer," refers to the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of our customers. This is a standard procedure across regulated financial services and online gambling sectors worldwide. For Shikaka, KYC involves collecting and scrutinising specific documentation from you to confirm your identity, age, and residential address. It is a fundamental part of our anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations.

The information gathered during the KYC process is treated with the utmost confidentiality and is used solely for verification purposes, as outlined in our Privacy Policy. This process ensures that Shikaka operates transparently and adheres to all relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.

Verification is an ongoing process that may be triggered at various stages of your relationship with Shikaka. Typically, identity verification is required:

• Upon registration of a new account.
• Before you make your first withdrawal, regardless of the amount.
• When your cumulative deposits or withdrawals reach a certain threshold, as mandated by our licensing authority.
• If there are changes to your personal information, such as your address or name.
• If our internal monitoring systems detect unusual or suspicious activity on your account.
• Periodically, as part of our ongoing due diligence, even if you have previously been verified.
• If we suspect that you are under the legal gambling age.

We reserve the right to request verification at any time we deem necessary to comply with our legal obligations or to protect the security of our platform and players.

To complete the verification process, you may be asked to provide several types of documents. These requests are made in accordance with regulatory requirements and are designed to confirm various aspects of your identity and financial standing. The specific documents requested will depend on the nature of the verification needed.

It is important that all documents submitted are clear, legible, and valid, showing all relevant details without obstruction. We recommend having digital copies of these documents readily available to expedite the process.

To verify your identity, we typically require a government-issued photographic identification document. This document must clearly show your full name, date of birth, a photograph, and an expiry date. Accepted forms of proof of identity include:

• Passport: A full, unexpired passport, showing the photo page.
• National Identity Card: A valid national ID card, showing both the front and back.
• Driving Licence: A current, full driving licence, showing both the front and back.

The document must be in date and not expired. We may also require a "selfie" of you holding the identification document for enhanced verification, particularly in cases where there are discrepancies or concerns about the authenticity of the submitted documents.

To confirm your residential address, we require a document issued within the last three months that clearly displays your full name and current residential address. The document must not be older than three months from the date of submission. Accepted forms of proof of address include:

• Utility bill (e.g., electricity, gas, water, internet, landline phone bill)
• Bank statement or credit card statement
• Government-issued tax notification or letter
• Council tax bill

Mobile phone bills, medical bills, or insurance statements are generally not accepted as proof of address. The document must be clearly legible, showing the issuer's logo, your name, address, and the issue date.

To prevent financial fraud and ensure that funds are being deposited and withdrawn by the legitimate account holder, we require verification of your payment methods. The specific requirements vary depending on the payment method used:

• Credit/Debit Cards: We may request a copy of the front of the card, showing the first six and the last four digits of the card number, your name, and the expiry date. The middle eight digits and the CVV/CVC code on the back should be obscured for security.
• E-Wallets (e.g., Skrill, Neteller, PayPal): We may require a screenshot from your e-wallet account dashboard, clearly showing your name, email address, and account ID.
• Bank Transfers: A copy of a bank statement showing your name, account number, and the bank's logo may be requested. Transaction details can be redacted.

All payment methods used on Shikaka must be registered in your name. Using a payment method belonging to another individual is strictly prohibited and will result in account suspension and potential forfeiture of winnings.

In certain circumstances, particularly for larger transactions or if our risk assessment tools indicate a higher risk profile, Shikaka may be required to request information regarding your source of funds (SOF) or source of wealth (SOW). This is a regulatory requirement under anti-money laundering (AML) legislation.

This process, known as Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), involves providing documentation that demonstrates the legitimate origin of the funds used for gambling activities. Examples of documents that may be requested include:

• Payslips or employment contracts
• Bank statements showing regular income
• Proof of inheritance or gift
• Sale of property documentation
• Business accounts or financial statements

Any request for SOF/SOW documentation will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. We understand that these requests are sensitive, and we aim to make the process as straightforward as possible while fulfilling our legal obligations.

Once you submit your documents through our secure portal, our dedicated verification team will review them. We strive to process all verification requests as quickly as possible. Typically, initial document reviews are completed within 24-48 hours. However, during peak periods or if additional information is required, this timeframe may be extended.

You will be notified via email or through your Shikaka account messages regarding the status of your verification. If any documents are unclear, invalid, or additional information is needed, we will contact you with specific instructions.

It is crucial to respond promptly to any requests for further information to avoid delays in withdrawals or potential account restrictions. Your cooperation ensures a swift and efficient verification process.

Shikaka employs robust security measures to protect your personal and financial information, including all submitted verification documents. We use advanced encryption technologies and secure servers to store your data, ensuring it is safeguarded against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Access to your documents is strictly limited to authorised personnel involved in the verification process, who are bound by confidentiality agreements. We comply with all relevant data protection laws, including GDPR, to ensure your privacy is maintained. Your documents are retained only for as long as legally required to fulfil our regulatory obligations, after which they are securely disposed of.

As a regulated online gambling operator, Shikaka is legally obligated to comply with strict anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws. Our KYC and verification procedures are integral to these compliance efforts. We are committed to preventing our platform from being used for illegal activities, including money laundering.

This commitment means we monitor transactions, report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities, and implement stringent verification protocols. By adhering to these regulations, Shikaka helps to maintain the integrity of the financial system and the online gaming industry as a whole.

Gambling by individuals under the legal age is strictly prohibited. Shikaka is dedicated to preventing underage gambling and protecting minors from its potential harms. Our age verification procedures are a critical part of this commitment.

During registration and throughout your time with Shikaka, we implement checks to confirm that you are at least 18 years old, or the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction, whichever is higher. If we suspect that an account holder is underage, the account will be immediately suspended, and all funds, including any winnings, may be frozen or forfeited. We may also report such instances to the relevant authorities.

We encourage parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling websites.

While we strive for prompt verification, delays can occur if the submitted documents are unclear, incomplete, or do not meet our requirements. If your verification is delayed, please check your email and your Shikaka account messages for requests for additional information or clarification.

If verification is ultimately unsuccessful, it may lead to limitations on your account, such as inability to deposit or withdraw, or even account closure. Common reasons for unsuccessful verification include:

• Submission of expired or invalid documents.
• Documents not matching the registered account details.
• Failure to provide requested documents within the specified timeframe.
• Suspected fraudulent activity or identity theft.

Should your verification be unsuccessful, we will communicate the reasons to you where legally permissible. We are committed to transparency in this process.

If you have any questions about the KYC process, require assistance with submitting your documents, or encounter any issues during verification, our customer support team is available to help.

You can reach our support team via:

• Live Chat: Available 24/7 on our website.
• Email: [email protected]

Please provide your account username and clearly describe your query so that we can assist you efficiently. Our team is trained to guide you through each step of the verification process and address any concerns you may have regarding your Shikaka account.