How to verify your identity at sweepstakes casinos

Subconsciously, verifying one’s identity at a sweepstakes casino might make some people a little uncomfortable. Maybe because they know by doing so they are leaving a personal track record on the big, wide, sometimes scary web. Or perhaps because they don’t know why the operator is asking for it in the first place.

Whatever the reason might be – this guide is for all you concerned players. Let me take you by the hand and explain why and how to go through this process.

So when is verification time?

There are three typical situations in which a platform will ask you to verify your account at a sweepstakes casino:

• Before your first withdrawal (which most casinos do).
• Immediately after you complete your registration.
• If they think you are acting “suspiciously” (whatever that may look like).

In many cases, the platform will also remind you with pop-up messages on the site itself or via email or text message that say something like: “Please verify your identity before proceeding.”

The documents you need to have ready

1. Proof of your identity

A clear photo or scan of a government-issued ID. This can be:

• Driver’s License
• Passport
• National Identity Card

💡 Tip: If your ID is unreadable, no sweeps casino will accept it. So, if you don’t have a scanner at home, which means you have to take a picture of your document using your phone, make sure your ID is flat on the table and has good lighting (avoid shadows).

2. Proof of your address

In order to confirm your place of residence, you will need to upload one of the following documents:

• Utility bill (electricity, internet, etc.)
• Bank statement
• Insurance letter

‼️ Important: Any document you choose must show your full name, correct address, and be dated within the last 3 months.

3. Proof of payment method (if required)

This step may become relevant if you redeemed or purchased coins using a card or other sweeps banking method. You could be asked to do the following:

• Upload a screenshot of your card (showing only the last 4 digits)
• Submit a digital verification of your wallet from PayPal, Skrill, etc.

📤 How to upload your documents

So how does the actual process of verifying your persona work? Let’s take a look.

1. Log in to your sweepstakes casino account: Go to your profile or account settings, where you’ll find the “Verification” tab in 99% of all cases.
   
   
2. Search for Verify or KYC section: Screen the page for a button or section labeled “Verify Now”, “KYC”, or “Identity Check”.
   
   
3. Upload your photo ID: Now it is time to upload the first “proof”, which is usually the government-issued documents discussed above (driver’s license, passport, or national ID card). Again, make sure the image is completely clear, go for colour instead of black and white, and try to capture all the corners of your document.
   
   
4. Provide proof of address: Next is your proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, insurance letter). Make sure it is no more than 3 months old, and that it shows your full name and address exactly as you entered them when you registered your account.
   
   
5. Take a selfie (upon request): Only about 30% of sweepstakes casinos have added this extra layer of security to their verification process, which requires you to take a selfie or “live photo” with your ID next to your face. Make sure you are not sitting in some dark chamber and avoid shadows on your face.
   
   
6. Double-check your uploads: Before hitting the submit button, make sure everything is perfectly readable and matches the information in your account. Again: Blurry or incomplete files will delay the entire process, so you  might as well get it right now instead of doing everything again later.
   
   
7. Send and wait for feedback/confirmation: Once the upload is complete, the wait begins. That said, regularly check

🧠 4 smart tips to speed up verification process

You already know what documents you need and how to upload them – but if you really want to avoid hiccups, missed messages, or being stuck in review limbo for three days, here are a few less obvious but highly effective tips:

🔄 1. Use the same name and format in all documents

A small inconsistency – such as “Jon” vs. “Jonathan” or forgetting your middle initial – can trigger a flag. Your name, date of birth, and address should match on your ID, account registration, and proof of address.

📌 Pro tip: If you’ve recently moved, don’t use a document with your old address.

🌍 2. Turn on location services (Yes, really)

Quite a few sweepstakes casinos use geolocation software to verify that you’re playing from a qualifying U.S. state. If you have location services turned off – or are using a sneaky VPN – your verification may be automatically blocked.

📌 Pro tips:

• If you are visiting a sweepstakes casino via mobile, head to your device settings and enable location access for your browser or casino app.
• If you’re using the good old desktop, don’t forget to allow the browser location when asked.

🛠 3. Clearly (re)name your files before uploading

This is easy to overlook – but can be a huge help, especially for manually reviewed reviews. Give your documents names so that support staff can quickly identify which file is which.

✅ Instead of: IMG20240315_9494.jpg

✅ Use: Jane_Doe_ID.jpg, Jane_Doe_UtilityBill_March2025.pdf

📌 Pro tip: Use PDF for multi-page documents like bank statements. It keeps everything organized and in one file.

🌐 4. Never upload files from public Wi-Fi

Without wishing to cause classic paranoia, uploading sensitive ID documents from an airport lounge, coffee shop or hotel Wi-Fi isn’t exactly ideal. Not only is it a security risk, but sometimes public networks can cause interrupted uploads or failed submissions.

📌 Pro tip: Wait until you’ve established a private, stable connection before starting to verify.

Why do sweeps online casinos need to verify you?

Sweepstakes casinos don’t do identity checks simply because they think it is a great thing to do. After all, it is well known that many people are put off by the time it takes and the fact that they have to leave their information behind.

However, casinos are not only required by law in many ways, but it is also in their best interest. And here is why:

1. 🧒 To make sure you’re an adult

Each U.S. state sets its own minimum age for participation in sweepstakes, as long as the requirement is consistent with the legal definition of adulthood.

Many states have gone with a minimum age of 18 or older (e.g. Funzpoints Casino, Pulsz Casino), while some have set it slightly higher at 21 (e.g. BC.Game.us, Stake.us).

So, verifying your identity is a way for the sites to prove that they are not letting minors on board. Failure to do so can result in being shut down completely or getting off with a fine. Asking you for a government-issued ID is pretty much the only way the operators can verify your age.

📌 Example: If a 16-year-old manages to sneak onto a sweepstakes platform and actually wins a prize, the site could be in big legal trouble if it grants any kind of redemption.

2. 🧾 To prevent the misuse of free bonuses

If you are a regular player, you must be familiar with the fact that platforms offer a lot of no deposit sweepstakes bonuses that have real-world value. Verifying your ID will help in making sure that you only have one account per platform.

📌 Example: Imagine this guy named Arnold. He uses fake names, fake email addresses, and a burner phone to create ten Sweeps accounts so he can rake in as many free Daily Sweeps coins as possible. Now, with user verification in place, he’s going to be out of business very quickly.

3. 🔒 To comply with “KYC” (Know Your Customer) regulations

In the United States and internationally, KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements are embedded in anti-money laundering (AML) and financial compliance laws.

Now, you might argue that you are not even betting real money on a sweepstakes site, so what does that have to do with finance laws? Indeed, but your winnings and withdrawals have monetary value. And that is why they are subject to KYC rules – just like banks, crypto platforms, or stock trading apps.

In essence, by implementing these KYC rules, operators help to:

• prevent identity theft
• prevent money laundering
• ensure that everyone who plays is who they say they are

💡 Tip: If you land on a casino site that doesn’t follow KYC rules by not asking you for your ID, that’s the biggest red flag possible. Run.

4. 💸 Because your winnings may (unfortunately) be taxable

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Certain sweepstakes winnings may be considered taxable income in the United States.

If your total winnings exceed a certain threshold (usually $600 or more in a calendar year), the platform is pretty much always obliged to issue you a Form W-2G (the official IRS document for “certain gambling winnings”).

Of course, it is much easier to track and report winnings when they are associated with a verified individual.

📌 Example: Let’s say you win $800 in gift cards in a year after successfully playing at your favorite Amazon Sweeps Casino. Well, you have already exceeded the IRS reporting threshold by $200. Unless the casino first verifies your identity, they cannot file the tax form.

5.  📍 To block players in restricted states

Some U.S states (such as Washington and Idaho) take a hard stance and do not allow sweepstakes casinos at all. They even ban access to platforms where you cannot make deposits, only withdraw winnings (such as a site like Social Tournaments).

And that’s why sweepstakes casinos need to verify where you live to make sure you’re not trying to worm your way in from a restricted location. If they fail to do so and let you play, they could be fined or banned from operating in the US.

💡 Tip: If you’re traveling internationally or between states, your account may be temporarily restricted until you verify your location. This is normal and nothing to worry about – you will regain access when you return home.

My final, parting thoughts

For some, verifying your identity at a sweepstakes casino may feel like an annoying, time-consuming detour, especially when you’re just trying to claim that bonus or collect that little t-shirt prize.

But as you’ve seen throughout this guide, it’s not only a legal requirement – it’s also a protection for you. It keeps fraudsters out of your business, protects your account, and allows you to actually collect your hard-earned rewards.

Sources:

• IDnow. (n.d.). What is KYC? Retrieved April 15, 2025. https://www.idnow.io/what-is-kyc
• Internal Revenue Service. (2024, November 15). Topic No. 419: Gambling income and losses. Retrieved April 15, 2025. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc419
• Investopedia. (n.d.). Know your client (KYC): What it means and compliance requirements. Retrieved April 15, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/knowyourclient.asp