At Wrest Point Casino, identity verification is a mandatory compliance requirement under Australian law. It is not an optional step. Before any account is created or any designated gambling service is provided, the identity of each customer must be confirmed. This obligation arises from the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act) and associated Rules, administered by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
This document explains what identity verification involves, what documents are accepted, how the process operates, and what occurs if verification cannot be completed.
Legal Basis for Identity Verification
Wrest Point Casino operates as a reporting entity under the AML/CTF Act. As a result, the Applicable Customer Identification Procedure (ACIP) must be carried out before creating an account or commencing to provide any designated service.
From 29 September 2024, pre-verification became mandatory for all online gambling service providers in Australia. There is no grace period. An account cannot be activated, and no service can be accessed, until identity verification has been successfully completed.
These requirements are in place to prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, underage gambling, and fraud. They also support the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering and the national self-exclusion register, BetStop.
What Information Is Collected
To complete the identification procedure, the following personal information is collected from each customer:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
This information must match the details provided on the identity documents submitted. Discrepancies between submitted information and document details may delay or prevent verification.
Accepted Identity Documents
Primary Photographic Documents
The following documents are accepted as primary photographic identification:
- Australian passport
- Australian driver’s licence
- Proof-of-age card issued by an Australian state or territory authority
- Foreign passport (where applicable)
A single primary photographic document that clearly shows full name, date of birth, and residential address may be sufficient to complete verification.
Primary Non-Photographic Documents
Where a photographic document is not available, the following may be accepted as primary non-photographic identification:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Medicare card (in limited circumstances, as a supporting document)
Proof of Address Documents
Where address verification is required separately, the following documents are accepted:
- Recent utility bill (electricity, gas, or water) issued within the last three months
- Bank statement issued within the last three months
- Council rates notice
- Rental agreement
- Insurance document showing the residential address
Documents must clearly display full name and current residential address. Redacted or partial documents are not accepted.
Electronic Verification
Where possible, automated electronic identity verification is used. This process matches the personal information provided against reliable, independent data sources, including government databases and credit bureau records, in accordance with AUSTRAC’s AML/CTF Rules.
If automated verification cannot be completed, supporting documents must be uploaded manually. There are limits on the number of verification attempts permitted. If repeated attempts fail, the account will remain inactive and the company will provide further instructions.
Age Verification
All customers must be at least 18 years of age. Age verification is conducted as part of the identity verification process. If verification confirms that a customer is under 18 years of age, the account will be closed immediately and any deposited funds will be returned in full. No exceptions apply.
Withdrawals and Account Access
Winnings cannot be withdrawn until identity verification has been successfully completed. Account access and the ability to transact are conditional on a verified identity. This applies regardless of the amount involved or the payment method used.
Withdrawal requests from unverified accounts are not processed.
Ongoing Verification and Enhanced Due Diligence
Identity verification is not limited to the point of account creation. Ongoing customer due diligence is conducted in accordance with AML/CTF obligations. This may include reverification in the following circumstances:
- A significant change in account activity or transaction patterns
- Transactions involving large sums or cross-border dealings
- Identification of a customer as a politically exposed person (PEP)
- Reasonable grounds to suspect money laundering or terrorism financing
In higher-risk situations, additional documentation may be requested, including evidence of the source of funds or source of wealth. This is a legal requirement, not a discretionary measure.
BetStop and Self-Exclusion
BetStop is Australia’s national self-exclusion register for online wagering. Identity verification underpins the operation of BetStop. When a self-excluded individual attempts to register or access a wagering account, identity and know-your-customer checks are used to identify and block that access. Operators are required to cross-reference customer identity against the BetStop register as part of the onboarding process.
If you are registered with BetStop, you are not permitted to hold an active account with Wrest Point Casino for the duration of your self-exclusion period.
Record Keeping
Records of the identity verification process are retained for a minimum of seven years, in accordance with AUSTRAC requirements. This includes documentation of the verification steps taken and the outcome. Unnecessary copies of identity documents are not retained beyond what is required for compliance purposes.
The handling of personal information collected during identity verification is governed by the Wrest Point Casino Privacy Policy, which sets out how data is stored, used, and protected.
How to Submit Your Documents
If you are required to submit identity documents, you will be directed to a secure verification portal during the account registration process. Documents must be:
- Clear and fully legible
- Unaltered and unredacted
- Current and within any applicable expiry date
Blurred, cropped, or expired documents will not be accepted and will require resubmission.
Questions about the verification process or requests for assistance should be directed to the support team using the details provided on the Wrest Point Casino Contact page.