KYC stands for "know your customer": it is the set of checks with which an operator verifies players' identity, age, residence and ownership of their payment methods. It is not a Sportaza choice but an anti-money-laundering obligation that Anjouan licences also provide for, requiring operators to have procedures for identification and transaction monitoring. What varies from one operator to another is the moment the verification is triggered and how rigorous it is.
Sportaza does not publish its procedure on an accessible page. What follows is based on standard industry practice, on user reports on review platforms and on information from independent listings; the details must be confirmed in the documents section of your account.
When Sportaza asks for verification
- At the first withdrawal: this is the standard moment. Without completed verification the withdrawal is not approved.
- After large or frequent deposits: anti-money-laundering checks may require documents even from people who have not yet withdrawn.
- After a change of details: a new address, a new payment method or a change of email.
- In the case of significant wins: often accompanied by a request for proof of the source of funds.
The documents
| Verification | Documents normally accepted | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and age | ID card (including the electronic one), passport, driving licence | Valid; front and back; all four corners visible |
| Residence | Electricity, gas, water or landline telephone bill; bank statement; certificate of residence | Issued in the last three months; name and address identical to the profile |
| Payment card | Photo of the front of the card | Name, first six and last four digits visible; middle digits and CVV code covered |
| E-wallet | Screenshot of the wallet profile | Name, email or account ID visible |
| Bank account | Account statement or certificate of ownership | IBAN and account holder legible |
| Cryptocurrencies | Sometimes a screenshot of the originating wallet or exchange | Address and transaction traceable to you |
| Source of funds | Payslips, tax return, bank statements | Only if requested; consistent with the amounts deposited |
The health card is not enough
The tax code is not a photo identity document: for identity verification you need an ID card, passport or driving licence. The health insurance card (tessera sanitaria) should not be sent unless it is expressly requested.
How to photograph the documents
Place the document on a dark, uniform surface
The contrast helps the automatic reading systems and the operator who checks.
Use diffused light, without flash
Glare on the plastic covers exactly the details that are needed: it is the most frequent cause of rejection.
Frame the whole document
All four corners must be visible. Do not crop, do not rotate at an angle, do not use filters.
Check legibility before sending
Zoom in on the photo: name, date of birth, number and expiry date must be readable without effort. If the file is blurred, retake it.
Upload only from the official section of the account
Do not send documents via chat or to email addresses other than the operator's official ones.
Why a document is rejected
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Expired document | Use another valid document (passport or driving licence) |
| Blurred photo or one with glare | Retake the photo in diffused light and without flash |
| Bill older than three months | Download the latest bill from the supplier's customer area |
| Bill in a relative's name | Use a bank statement or a certificate of residence in your own name |
| Address different from the one on the profile | Ask support to update the profile, attaching proof |
| Different name (middle name, accents, maiden name) | Ask for the profile to be corrected, with the document attached |
| Card in another person's name | Cannot be resolved: you need a method in the account holder's name |
| Card digits covered too much | Leave the first six and last four digits and the name visible |
How long verification takes
Sportaza does not state verification times on a public page. Among the reviews collected by AskGamblers there is a description of a "very long verification process" and a specific complaint about KYC; on Trustpilot, repeated requests for documents are a recurring theme. Two measures reduce the time: upload all the documents at once and, after 48 hours without a result, ask in the chat whether anything is missing, so as not to wait for a rejection by email.
Source-of-funds verification
For large deposits or wins the operator may ask you to prove where the money comes from ("source of funds") or, more rarely, your overall financial position ("source of wealth"). This is a standard anti-money-laundering check. Typical requests are your latest payslips, your tax return or bank statements showing income consistent with the deposits. You may cover unrelated transactions, but you must not alter the documents: a modified document leads to the account being closed.
If the request seems disproportionate to the amounts involved, ask in writing which threshold triggered it and which alternative documents are accepted.
Privacy of your documents
Uploaded documents stay with the operator, a company based in Costa Rica. The GDPR applies to non-EU companies that offer services to people located in the Union, but rights (access, erasure, restriction) are exercised against the operator and, in the event of a dispute, are harder to enforce than with a European operator. Anti-money-laundering obligations also require documents to be kept for years even after the account is closed. Weigh this aspect before sending copies of your documents. A broader overview is on the page Is Sportaza Safe?.
If verification does not get unblocked
If after several submissions the verification stays pending with no precise indication, write to support@sportaza.com listing the documents already sent with their dates and asking in writing what is missing. Keep the replies: in a formal complaint they are proof that you cooperated. The full route, up to the mediation centres, is in the guide withdrawal pending or rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents are needed to verify a Sportaza account?
As a rule a photo identity document (ID card, passport or driving licence), proof of residence from the last three months and proof of ownership of the payment method. For large amounts the source of funds may be requested.
Can I play without verifying the account?
You can usually deposit and play, but not withdraw. The operator may nonetheless ask for verification at any time and restrict the account until it is completed.
Why is Sportaza asking for my documents again?
Because the previous file was not legible or complete, because the details do not match the profile, or because a new deposit or payment method triggered a check. Ask in writing which document and which requirement is missing.
Do I have to show all the card digits?
No. Leave the name and the first six and last four digits visible and cover the middle digits. On the back, cover the CVV code.
Sources consulted and verification method
The sources were consulted on 8 October 2026. Data from the official website takes priority; secondary sources are used for comparison and are identified as such in the text. The full method is described on the page how we produce our analyses.