KYC and Verification

At Shikaka, the integrity of our platform and the security of our players are paramount. We are committed to providing a safe, fair, and responsible gaming environment. Verifying your identity is a fundamental step in achieving this commitment. This process helps us prevent fraud, combat money laundering, ensure responsible gambling practices, and comply with the legal and regulatory obligations imposed by our licensing authority. By confirming your identity, we protect both you and our operations from potential misuse.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, refers to the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of our customers. It is a critical component of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations that Shikaka, like all regulated gambling operators, must adhere to. The KYC process involves collecting and assessing specific documentation and information from you to confirm who you are, where you live, and that the funds you use are legitimate. This diligence helps maintain the security and trustworthiness of our services.

Verification is an ongoing process that may be triggered at several stages of your relationship with Shikaka. Typically, initial verification is required upon registration or before your first withdrawal. However, we may request further verification at any time, especially if:

• Your cumulative deposits or withdrawals reach certain thresholds.
• There are changes to your personal information.
• We detect unusual or suspicious activity on your account.
• There are changes in regulatory requirements.
• We need to perform periodic reviews to ensure our records are current.

Failing to complete verification when requested may result in restrictions being placed on your account, including the inability to deposit, play, or withdraw funds.

To complete our KYC procedures, we typically require documentation to verify your identity, address, and ownership of payment methods. The specific documents requested will depend on your jurisdiction, the information we already hold, and the nature of the verification trigger. All documents must be valid, current, and clearly legible. 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., bank statement, screenshot of e-wallet).
• Source of Funds/Wealth documentation in certain circumstances.

For proof of identity, we require a clear, colour copy of a valid government-issued identification document. This document must show your full name, date of birth, photograph, signature, and expiry date. Accepted forms of identification include:

• A valid passport (photo page).
• A valid national identification card (both front and back).
• A valid driving licence (both front and back).

The document must not be expired, and all four corners of the document must be visible in the image. We may also request a "selfie" holding your ID for enhanced verification purposes.

To verify your residential address, we require a document that clearly displays your full name, current residential address, and a date of issue within the last three months. The document must be issued by an independent third party. Accepted forms of proof of address include:

• A utility bill (electricity, gas, water, internet, landline telephone, but not mobile phone bills).
• A bank statement or credit card statement.
• A government-issued letter or tax statement.

All four corners of the document must be visible, and it must be a full page document, not a cropped section. PO Box addresses are not acceptable as proof of residence.

To ensure the security of your transactions and to prevent fraud, we also require verification of the payment methods used on your Shikaka account. The specific documentation needed depends on the payment method:

• Credit/Debit Cards: A copy of the front and back of the card. For security, please obscure the middle eight digits of the card number on the front and the CVV/CVC code on the back. Your name, the first six and last four digits of the card number, and the expiry date must be clearly visible.
• Bank Transfers: A copy of a recent bank statement showing your name, account number, and the bank's logo.
• E-wallets (e.g., Neteller, Skrill): A screenshot of your e-wallet account page clearly showing your name and the email address or account ID associated with the account.

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

In certain situations, particularly for significant transactions or when required by our regulatory obligations, Shikaka may need to understand the source of funds or wealth associated with your account. This is part of our enhanced due diligence procedures to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. We may request documents such as:

• Bank statements showing the origin of large deposits.
• Payslips or employment contracts.
• Tax returns or financial statements.
• Proof of inheritance or sale of assets.

We understand that this information is highly sensitive. All documents provided for source of funds verification are treated with the utmost confidentiality and are used solely for regulatory compliance purposes.

Once you submit your documents, our dedicated verification team will review them. We aim to process all verification requests as quickly as possible. Typically, verification can take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the volume of requests and the clarity of the documents provided. During peak times, or if further information is required, this timeframe may be extended. We will notify you via email or through your account notifications regarding the status of your verification. To expedite the process, please ensure all documents are clear, current, and meet the specified requirements.

Shikaka takes the security and privacy of your personal information and documents very seriously. All documents you submit are stored securely on encrypted servers and are accessible only to authorised personnel involved in the verification process. We adhere strictly to data protection laws, including GDPR, ensuring your data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently. Your documents will never be shared with unauthorised third parties. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

As a licensed and regulated online gambling operator, Shikaka is legally obligated to comply with stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) laws. Our KYC and verification procedures are integral to this compliance. We monitor transactions and account activity for any signs of suspicious behaviour that could indicate money laundering or other illicit activities. By performing these checks, we contribute to the global effort to combat financial crime and maintain the integrity of the financial system.

Shikaka is strictly committed to preventing underage gambling. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 (or the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction, if higher) to open an account or gamble on our platform. Our age verification checks are a critical part of our KYC process. We use the information provided during registration and through document submission to confirm that all our players are of legal gambling age. Any account found to belong to a minor will be immediately closed, and any winnings forfeited. We encourage parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling sites.

If your verification is delayed beyond the typical timeframe, or if it is unsuccessful, we will contact you to explain the reasons. Common reasons for delays or unsuccessful verification include:

• Documents being unclear, expired, or not meeting the specified requirements.
• Discrepancies between the information provided during registration and the documents.
• Further information or different types of documents being required.

We will guide you through the necessary steps to resolve any issues. Please respond promptly to any requests for additional information to avoid further delays or account restrictions. Our goal is to complete your verification successfully and efficiently.

If you have any questions about the KYC process, the documents required, or if you encounter any difficulties during verification, our customer support team is available to assist you. You can contact us via live chat or email, as detailed on our 'Contact Us' page. Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your query, including your Shikaka username, to help us provide a swift and accurate response. We are here to ensure your experience with Shikaka is as smooth and secure as possible.