KYC and Verification

At Shikaka, the security and integrity of our platform are paramount. We are legally obligated to verify the identity of our players. This process, known as Know Your Customer or KYC, is a fundamental requirement imposed by our licensing authority and international anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Identity verification protects you, our other players, and Shikaka from fraud, underage gambling, and financial crime. By confirming your identity, we ensure that funds are handled legitimately and that our services are used responsibly.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, refers to the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of our customers. This involves collecting and reviewing specific documentation to confirm that you are who you claim to be. For Shikaka, KYC is not merely a procedural step, it is a crucial component of our commitment to maintaining a safe, transparent, and compliant online gambling environment. It helps us prevent identity theft, detect suspicious activity, and adhere to legal and regulatory standards.

Verification is an ongoing process that may be triggered at several stages of your interaction with Shikaka. Typically, initial verification is required upon registration or before your first withdrawal. However, we may request further verification at any time during your account's lifecycle. This could occur if there are changes to your personal details, if your cumulative deposits or withdrawals reach certain thresholds, if your account activity exhibits unusual patterns, or if mandated by our regulatory obligations. We aim to make this process as unintrusive as possible while ensuring full compliance.

To complete our verification checks, we typically require specific documents. These documents help us confirm your identity, address, and ownership of payment methods. The exact documents requested may vary depending on your jurisdiction, the information we already hold, and the nature of the verification trigger. All documents must be clear, legible, and current. We will inform you precisely what is needed when a verification request is made.

To verify your identity, we generally require a copy of a valid, government-issued photographic identification document. This document must clearly show your full name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. Acceptable forms of proof of identity include:

• A valid passport (showing the photo page).
• A valid national identity card (front and back).
• A valid driving licence (front and back).

The document must not be expired. We may ask for a 'selfie' holding the document for additional security checks to confirm it belongs to you.

To confirm your residential address, we require a document that clearly displays your full name and current address, issued within the last three months. The document must be from an independent and reliable source. Acceptable forms of proof of address include:

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

The document must be dated within the last three months and clearly show the issuing authority's name and logo.

To ensure the integrity of financial transactions, we may ask you to verify the payment methods you use to deposit or withdraw funds from your Shikaka account. This helps prevent unauthorized use of payment instruments. The specific requirements depend on the payment method:

• Credit/Debit Cards: We may request a copy of the front and sometimes the back of the card. For security purposes, 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 the last four digits of the card number must be visible, along with the expiry date.
• E-wallets (e.g., Skrill, Neteller, PayPal): We may require a screenshot of your e-wallet account page, clearly showing your name and email address associated with the account.
• Bank Transfers: A copy of a bank statement showing your full name, bank account number, and the bank's logo.

Ensure that all sensitive information, other than what is explicitly required, is redacted for your protection.

In certain circumstances, particularly when large transactions are involved or unusual activity is detected, Shikaka may be legally required to request information regarding your source of funds (SOF) or source of wealth (SOW). This is part of our enhanced due diligence (EDD) obligations under anti-money laundering regulations. This process helps us understand the origin of the funds used on our platform. Examples of documents that may be requested include:

• Payslips or employment contracts.
• Bank statements showing accumulated savings.
• Proof of inheritance, sale of property, or other significant financial events.

Such requests are not routine and are only made when legally necessary to ensure compliance and maintain the security of our platform. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these instances.

Once you submit your documents, our dedicated compliance team will review them. We strive to process all verification requests as quickly as possible. Typically, verification is completed within 24 to 72 hours, though this can vary depending on the volume of requests and the clarity of the documents provided. If any documents are unclear or additional information is needed, we will contact you via your registered email address. To avoid delays, please ensure your submitted documents meet all stated requirements and are legible.

Shikaka employs robust security measures to protect your personal information and documents. All data is transmitted and stored using advanced encryption technologies in accordance with GDPR and other relevant data protection laws. Your documents are only accessible by authorized personnel for the purpose of identity verification and compliance. We do not share your information with third parties except where legally required by our licensing authority or law enforcement agencies. Your privacy and data security are of utmost importance to us.

Shikaka is committed to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Our KYC and verification procedures are a cornerstone of our anti-money laundering (AML) framework. We operate in strict adherence to international AML guidelines and the regulations set forth by our licensing authority. This involves monitoring transactions, reporting suspicious activities, and ensuring that all funds processed through our platform originate from legitimate sources. By participating in our verification process, you help us maintain a secure and compliant environment for all players.

Underage gambling is strictly prohibited. As part of our commitment to responsible gaming and legal compliance, Shikaka conducts rigorous age verification checks. We only permit individuals who are 18 years of age or older (or the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction, if higher) to register and play on our platform. Our verification process confirms your date of birth, helping us prevent minors from accessing our services. Any account found to belong to a minor will be immediately closed, and any winnings forfeited.

While we aim for swift verification, delays can occur if documents are unclear, incomplete, or if further information is required. If your verification is delayed beyond the typical timeframe, please check your registered email for any communication from our compliance team. If verification is unsuccessful, it may be due to discrepancies in the provided information or an inability to confirm your identity. In such cases, we will inform you of the reasons where permissible and advise on the next steps. Failure to complete verification successfully may result in restrictions on your account, including the inability to deposit, withdraw, or play, and in some cases, account closure.

If you have any questions about the KYC process, require assistance with submitting your documents, or need clarification on a verification request, our customer support team is available to help. You can reach us via live chat or email. Please provide your username and details of your query so we can assist you efficiently. Our team at Shikaka is here to guide you through every step of the verification process.