Opening an account with an online bookmaker, depositing and betting is quite easy and straightforward process, but things get a bit more complex when it’s time to withdraw your winnings. The identity verification process, which is required by virtually all online bookmakers, is often something beginner bettors are unfamiliar with and it may be rather unexpected. After all, how many people read through the insanely long Terms&Conditions page before signing up with a bookmaker? This is also one of the reasons why so many people are worried when they try to make their first withdrawal with a bookmaker and an email comes asking for documents before it can be processed.
Many bettors ask themselves right away, should I be worried? The short answer is – no. Unlike the traditional bookmakers, where the bettor will give the attendant the money and get the slip, the online bookmakers work on the credit and honor system, therefore they must verify the player’s identity before issuing a withdrawal. After all, you could be an identity thief or part of a criminal syndicate. That’s why the identity verification process is a requirement at all online bookmakers.
Luckily for you, this process is undergone only once, the first time you request a withdrawal. Once the bookmaker has confirmed that you are who you say you are, the rest of your withdrawals will be paid smoothly and without hiccups, granted you are playing at one of the top bookmakers.
So what is this identity verification process and what documents you need? The process involves submitting certain documents which the bookmaker in turn uses to verify your identity. You can get ahead of this process, which could take up to two days to complete, by getting your documents ready before or right after you request your first payout from the bookie. You can be certain that you will have to undergo this process and a list of required documents could be found at the website of your specific bookmaker. In most cases the list of documents will include photocopies of one or more of the following:
- ID card or Drivers Licence
- Utility bill showing your address
- Passport
- Copy of credit card(s) used to deposit
As noted, you can check with your bookmaker beforehand for the exact documents that would work for the verification process and make the copies needed. After you submit your first withdrawal request, the bookmaker will send you an email asking for copies of those documents, which you can attach and email back. The faster you do this, the faster you will get your money, so it literally pays to be prepared.
