1. Purpose and Scope
This policy sets out the identity verification requirements applicable to all players at Starlight Casino Edmonton. Identity verification, also referred to as Know Your Customer (KYC), is a mandatory compliance process required under Canadian federal anti-money laundering legislation and applicable provincial gaming regulations. All persons seeking to open an account, conduct transactions, or request withdrawals are subject to the procedures described in this policy.
The requirements in this policy apply regardless of the amount deposited or the frequency of play. Starlight Casino Edmonton is obligated to verify the identity of players in accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the relevant provincial gaming authority. Failure to complete identity verification will result in restricted account access and the inability to process withdrawals.
2. Legal Basis
Starlight Casino Edmonton operates as a reporting entity under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. Under this framework, the casino is required to verify the identity of any person from whom it receives CAD 10,000 or more in cash within a single transaction, as well as in other circumstances prescribed by FINTRAC guidance. These obligations exist independently of any internal risk thresholds that may be applied.
Provincial gaming regulations in Alberta, administered by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), impose additional licensing conditions that include age verification and ongoing customer due diligence. Starlight Casino Edmonton maintains audit records of all KYC checks conducted and retains these records for the periods required by applicable law and regulatory direction.
3. Age Verification
All players must be of legal gambling age as determined by provincial law. In Alberta, the minimum legal age for gambling is 18 years. No account will be activated, and no transactions will be processed, until age has been confirmed through a valid government-issued identity document. Age verification is conducted at registration and may be repeated at the point of withdrawal or when account activity triggers a review.
4. Required Documentation
Players are required to submit the following categories of documentation as part of the identity verification process.
4.1 Proof of Identity
A valid, government-issued photo identification document must be provided. Acceptable documents include:
- Canadian passport
- Provincial driver’s licence
- Other government-issued photo ID card
The document must meet all of the following conditions:
- It must not be expired at the time of submission.
- The full legal name on the document must match the name registered on the casino account.
- It must display a clear photograph of the holder.
- All signatures on the document must be visible.
- Damaged, altered, or partially obscured documents will not be accepted.
4.2 Proof of Address
A document confirming the player’s current residential address must be submitted. Acceptable documents include:
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Similar official document
The document must have been issued within the 90 days preceding the date of submission and must display both the player’s full name and current address. In cases where utility accounts are not held in the player’s name, alternative documentation such as a rental agreement or a notice from the Canada Revenue Agency may be accepted at the discretion of the verification team.
4.3 Payment Method Verification
Players may be required to provide evidence of ownership of the payment method used to fund the account. This may include:
- A photograph of the front and back of a credit or debit card
- A screenshot from a bank account
- A screenshot from an electronic payment service confirming the account holder’s name
When submitting card images, players must mask any digits not required for verification purposes while keeping the cardholder name and relevant identifying details visible.
4.4 Source of Funds
In cases involving large deposits or where account activity indicates elevated risk, Starlight Casino Edmonton may request documentation confirming the source of funds. Acceptable documents include:
- Recent payslips
- Tax assessment notices
- Other official records demonstrating the origin of the funds being deposited
This requirement is applied in accordance with FINTRAC guidance and internal risk management procedures.
5. Verification Process
The identity verification process follows a defined sequence of steps.
Step one requires the player to provide accurate personal information at the time of account registration, including full legal name, date of birth, residential address, email address, and telephone number.
Step two requires the player to upload the required documents through the secure verification section of the account portal. Starlight Casino Edmonton does not recommend submitting identity documents via standard email. Players are directed to use the designated upload function within the account interface to protect the security and privacy of their personal data.
Step three involves review of the submitted documents by the verification team. This review may be conducted through automated document recognition systems, manual assessment, or a combination of both. Players will be notified of the outcome of the review.
Step four may involve a liveness check, requiring the player to submit a selfie or complete a short video verification to confirm that the person submitting the documents is the same individual depicted in the identity document. This step is applied where required by the casino’s risk assessment procedures.
6. Processing Timeframes
Document review is typically completed within two business days of submission. Processing times may be extended where documents are unclear, where additional information is required, or where the volume of pending reviews is elevated. Players are advised to submit all required documents before initiating large transactions or withdrawal requests to avoid delays in processing.
7. Document Quality Standards
All submitted documents must be clear, well-lit, and in full colour. Photographs or scans must show the complete document without cropping, glare, or obstruction. Documents that do not meet these quality standards will be returned for resubmission, which will extend the overall processing time.
8. Player Obligations
Players are responsible for ensuring that all information provided at registration is accurate and consistent with the identity documents submitted. Any discrepancy between account information and submitted documents will result in a hold on the account pending resolution. Players must notify Starlight Casino Edmonton promptly if their personal details change after verification has been completed.
Players are also responsible for retaining records of their verification submissions, including confirmation messages, transaction references, and any correspondence with the support team, in the event that a dispute arises regarding the verification process.
9. Data Handling
Personal data and identity documents collected during the verification process are processed in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy legislation. Documents are stored securely and accessed only by authorised personnel for the purposes of compliance, fraud prevention, and regulatory reporting. Data is retained for the periods required by FINTRAC and provincial regulatory obligations.
10. Account Restrictions
Accounts for which identity verification has not been completed are subject to restrictions on withdrawals and may be subject to restrictions on deposits and gameplay. Starlight Casino Edmonton reserves the right to suspend or close an account where a player fails to provide required documentation within a reasonable timeframe or where submitted documents cannot be verified as authentic.