- Purpose and Scope
This document sets out the identity verification requirements that apply to all customers of Casino Crown Sydney. These requirements apply because Casino Crown Sydney operates as a reporting entity under Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act) and is supervised by AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre). Compliance with customer identification obligations is a legal condition of providing gambling services.
This policy applies to all individuals seeking to open an account, access designated gambling services, or conduct transactions with Casino Crown Sydney. It applies regardless of how services are accessed and regardless of the value of any individual transaction.
- Legal Basis
Casino Crown Sydney identity verification procedures are governed by the following regulatory framework:
- The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth)
- AUSTRAC Customer Identification Rules and associated regulatory guidance
- The National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering (NCPF)
- Applicable state and territory gambling licensing conditions
From 29 September 2024, AUSTRAC strengthened customer identification requirements apply to online gambling service providers in Australia. Under these requirements, Casino Crown Sydney must complete the Applicable Customer Identification Procedure (ACIP) before creating an account or providing any designated gambling service to a customer. No designated service will be made available until identity verification is complete and the operator is reasonably satisfied that the customer is who they claim to be.
- When Verification Is Required
Identity verification is required at the following points:
- Before an account is created
- Before any designated gambling service is accessed
- Before any transaction is processed on an account
- When enhanced due diligence is triggered by account activity or risk indicators
- When a customer requests a payout of $10,000 AUD or more, in accordance with AUSTRAC guidance
Account use, including placing bets or accessing gambling services, is not permitted prior to the completion of identity verification. This applies to all new accounts opened from 29 September 2024 onwards.
- Information Collected
To complete identity verification, Casino Crown Sydney collects the following minimum information from each customer:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address (not a PO Box)
This information is collected at the point of account registration and must be accurate and current. Providing false or misleading information is a breach of this policy and may result in account suspension or closure.
5. Acceptable Identity Documents
Casino Crown Sydney verifies customer identity using government-issued documents. The following categories apply.
Primary Photographic Documents
One of the following is accepted as a primary photographic document:
- Australian passport
- Australian driver’s licence
- Proof of age card issued by an Australian state or territory government
- Foreign passport valid for international travel
Primary Non-Photographic Documents
Where a primary photographic document is not available, one of the following may be accepted:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Medicare card (limited use, as permitted under AUSTRAC rules)
Secondary Documents (Proof of Address)
In addition to a primary document, Casino Crown Sydney may request one of the following to confirm residential address:
- Utility bill issued within the last three months
- Bank statement issued within the last three months
- Other government-issued correspondence confirming current address
The combination of documents required will depend on the verification method used and the level of information confirmed through electronic checks.
- Electronic Verification
Casino Crown Sydney uses commercially available electronic identity verification services to match customer-provided information against reliable and independent data sources, including credit bureau records and government databases. This process is conducted in accordance with the AML/CTF Rules, which permit electronic verification as an alternative or supplement to document-based identification.
Where electronic verification alone does not produce a satisfactory result, Casino Crown Sydney will request physical documents as described in Section 5.
Biometric checks, including face verification and liveness detection, may be required as part of the verification process where the level of risk or the verification method requires it. These checks are used to confirm that the person submitting documents is the same individual whose identity is being verified.
- Document Submission Requirements
When submitting identity documents, customers must ensure the following:
- Documents are current and have not expired
- Images or scans are clear, fully legible, and unobstructed
- All four corners of the document are visible in the image
- Accepted file formats are JPG, PNG, or PDF
- File size meets the upload requirements specified within the account interface
Casino Crown Sydney reserves the right to request additional documents or a higher-quality submission if the initial submission does not meet these standards.
- Age Verification
All customers must be at least 18 years of age to hold an account or access any gambling service with Casino Crown Sydney. Age is verified as part of the standard identity verification process. Where age cannot be confirmed through electronic means, documentary evidence of date of birth will be required.
Casino Crown Sydney will not provide gambling services to any individual who cannot be confirmed as 18 years of age or older. This requirement is consistent with obligations under the NCPF and applicable state and territory gambling legislation.
- Enhanced Due Diligence
Casino Crown Sydney applies enhanced due diligence procedures in circumstances where a higher level of risk is identified. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Customers who cannot be verified through standard procedures
- Accounts with unusual transaction patterns
- Requests for large payouts
- Circumstances where the source of funds requires clarification
In these cases, Casino Crown Sydney may request additional documentation, including evidence of source of funds or source of wealth. Customers are required to cooperate with these requests. Failure to provide requested information may result in account restrictions or closure.
- Data Handling
Personal information and identity documents collected during the verification process are handled in accordance with the Casino Crown Sydney Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Information is used solely for the purposes of identity verification, AML/CTF compliance, and related regulatory obligations. Documents are stored securely and retained for the period required by law.
Casino Crown Sydney does not sell or share customer identity information with third parties except where required by law or where necessary to complete the verification process through an authorised identity verification service provider.
- Account Restrictions and Refusal
Casino Crown Sydney may restrict, suspend, or close an account in the following circumstances:
- Identity verification cannot be completed within the required timeframe
- A customer provides false, misleading, or fraudulent documentation
- A customer refuses to provide information required for enhanced due diligence
- Verification reveals that the customer does not meet eligibility requirements, including the minimum age requirement
Where an account is closed due to a failure to complete verification, any funds held in the account will be returned to the customer in accordance with applicable legal requirements, subject to any obligations under AML/CTF law.
- Self-Exclusion and Verification
Identity verification is also applied in connection with self-exclusion arrangements. Casino Crown Sydney uses verified identity information to enforce self-exclusion requests and to help ensure that excluded individuals cannot access gambling services under a different name or account. Customers seeking to register a self-exclusion must complete identity verification as part of that process.
- Contact and Queries
Customers with questions about the identity verification process or who require assistance with document submission should contact Casino Crown Sydney through the support channels listed on the Contact page of this website. Queries relating to account status during the verification process will be handled by the compliance team.