Free spins have always been a favorite for many players, since this type of incentive offers multiple benefits. You have a great variety of options from many gambling platforms, and they are really easy to claim. Moreover, they allow you to explore new casinos and new slots without the need to use personal funds, but with the possibility of winning real money.
Searching the internet for the best spins bonus, you’ll see that there is even an add card free spins category made for the promotions that require card registration as part of the claiming process.
But you may ask yourself why this is necessary, considering it’s a free bonus, where you don’t have to deposit anything to receive the perks. Well, continue reading to find out everything about the process gambling platforms use and what steps you need to take.
Why does a no deposit offer still ask you to add a card
You may find it counterintuitive to add a card to your casino profile, especially at the beginning, when you’re just grabbing a no deposit offer. If you don’t have to deposit anything, why does the casino want your card details?
The answers to this are pretty simple. You need to know that card registration is often used as a supplementary risk-check or payment verification step in KYC. In case you are still new to the gambling world, know that completing the KYC is mandatory if you want to enjoy the winnings you’re going to get. This is the only way to withdraw the earnings you expect after finishing a bonus.
Additionally, even if you don’t deposit, the casino still needs to know a bank account of yours where to deposit the money you’ve won.
KYC/age verification
As we mentioned earlier, the KYC process is a core step of a gambling experience. It does not just have an important role for the casino, it has for you, too. To take this subject a bit further and explain thoroughly, KYC stands for know your customer and refers to the online verification process casinos require to check and confirm your identity to make sure you are a real player.
The casino not only verifies your identity but also checks your location and funds through your documents. You are not supposed to use a VPN to play from another country where they can’t legally serve, unless you talk with them beforehand and explain the situation. They also want to ensure you are of legal age and you have control over your funds.
To complete the KYC process, you’d have to follow the next steps:
- Make sure you have your documents on hand to speed up the procedure and not waste time searching for them;
- Access the casino’s site and log in to your account, then go to your profile and search for the KYC section;
- Start uploading a proof of identity, such as your ID card, driver’s license or passport;
- Provide proof of address, like a utility bill in your name in the last 3 months and proof of funds if necessary (credit card photo, bank statement or payslips);
- If required, complete any additional steps that could include taking a selfie or a video of yourself for advanced verification;
- Wait for the casino to verify your information. This can usually take up to 24 hours.
Duplicate-account prevention
Making a card registration and completing KYC helps against account duplication. Unfortunately, there are many users who try to create multiple accounts to claim the bonuses they find advantageous several times. This is basically a way of exploiting promotions.
Some of them even resort to identity theft to be able to pass through the KYC process and be able to withdraw the winnings. They not only abuse free offers but also target welcome bonuses and any kind of promotion that would benefit them. Keeping one account per player makes for a fair gambling environment.
No charge taken
If you think that the casino requesting your card details is suspicious, know that there is nothing to worry about. As we specified before, the reasons for providing your card details are legitimate, and the know-your-customer process is one that all regulated casinos apply. It would actually be more suspicious if the gambling site you are on is not requesting anything from you.
Make sure you stay away from offshore gambling sites or ones that, after thorough research, prove to be untrustworthy. Also, note that casinos can’t take money from your card without your permission and won’t charge you anything just because you’ve provided the necessary data.
What to check before card registration
Before you do anything that involves providing personal data, make sure you check everything there is to check, read carefully to avoid missing anything, and check for anything dubious. In addition, you can take into account the following aspects:
- have all the documents on hand: nothing is worse than uploading a document only to realize you can’t find it. Also, ensure they are in good condition, so they will be clearly visible in the photos that you’ll take;
- make sure you cover the CVV: if you don’t need to, simply enter the card details, and if a photo is necessary, make sure you cover the CVV, because that is a detail that should remain confidential;
- ensure the details are correct: the casino uses data like your name, surname, phone number, address and more from what you wrote in the registration process. If you make any mistake there, then they won’t match the real data that you provide during KYC, and you might encounter some issues.
Conclusion
Card registration isn’t something to worry about, as it’s a rule that benefits both parties. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be cautious, especially if you choose to play at offshore casinos, which have less strict rules. Free spins are a common type of promotion, so you’ll be able to claim them from a wide range of casinos.
