KYC and Verification

At Colba, safeguarding our players and maintaining the integrity of our platform are paramount. We are legally obligated to verify the identity of our customers. This process, known as Know Your Customer (KYC), is a fundamental requirement imposed by our licensing authority and international anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Identity verification protects you from fraud, prevents underage gambling, and ensures a secure and compliant gaming environment for everyone.

By verifying your identity, we can confirm that you are who you claim to be, that you are of legal age to gamble, and that the funds used for playing are legitimate. This commitment to security and regulatory compliance is central to Colba's operations.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, refers to the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of our clients. It involves collecting and assessing specific documentation to confirm your personal details. This process is not unique to online gambling, it is a standard practice across regulated financial industries worldwide. For Colba, KYC is crucial for:

• Preventing fraud and identity theft.
• Combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Ensuring compliance with age restrictions.
• Promoting responsible gambling.
• Protecting the financial security of our platform and players.

Our KYC procedures are designed to be efficient while adhering strictly to regulatory standards.

Verification is an ongoing process that may be triggered at several points during your relationship with Colba. Typically, you will be asked to complete verification:

• Upon registration, before you can make your first deposit or play.
• When you request your first withdrawal, or subsequent withdrawals exceeding a certain threshold.
• If there are significant changes to your account activity, such as large deposits or withdrawals.
• If our internal monitoring systems flag any unusual or suspicious transactions.
• Periodically, as part of our ongoing due diligence, to ensure the information we hold remains current and accurate.
• If we have reason to believe that the information provided during registration was incomplete or inaccurate.

We aim to make this process as smooth as possible, and early completion of verification can prevent delays in future transactions.

To complete the KYC process, Colba may request various documents. The specific documents required depend on the nature of the verification, but generally fall into categories such as proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of payment method. All documents must be valid, legible, and current. We will always clearly specify which documents are needed.

To confirm your identity, we typically require a clear, colour copy of one of the following government-issued identification documents:

• Passport: The full photo page, showing your photograph, name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, signature, issue date, and expiry date.
• National Identity Card: Both the front and back of the card, displaying all relevant details.
• Driver's Licence: Both the front and back of the licence, ensuring your photograph, name, date of birth, and signature are clearly visible.

The document must be valid and not expired. All four corners of the document must be visible in the image, and the text must be fully readable. We cannot accept blurred, cropped, or otherwise unreadable documents.

To verify your residential address, we require a document issued within the last three months that clearly displays your full name and current residential address. Acceptable documents include:

• Utility bill (electricity, water, gas, internet, landline telephone, but not mobile phone bills).
• Bank statement or credit card statement (physical or electronic, provided it is an official document).
• Government-issued tax statement or official letter.

The document must be dated within the last 90 days. Screenshots of online portals are generally not accepted unless they are official PDF statements. Ensure all four corners of the document are visible, and all text is legible. The address on the document must match the address registered on your Colba account.

To ensure the security of your transactions and prevent fraud, we may also require verification of the payment methods used on your Colba account. This helps confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the funds.

• Credit/Debit Cards: A clear photo of the front of the card, showing your name, the first six and last four digits of the card number (the middle eight digits should be covered for security), and the expiry date. The CVV/CVC code on the back must always be covered.
• E-wallets (e.g., Skrill, Neteller): A screenshot of your e-wallet account profile page, clearly showing your name and the associated email address or account ID.
• Bank Transfers: A copy of a recent bank statement (dated within the last three months) showing your name, bank logo, and account number. Transaction details can be redacted.

Only use payment methods registered in your own name. Third-party payments are strictly prohibited and will result in funds being frozen and account closure.

In certain circumstances, particularly for high-value transactions or if regulatory requirements dictate, Colba may be required to conduct enhanced due diligence (EDD) and request proof of your source of funds (SOF) or source of wealth (SOW). This is a legal obligation to prevent money laundering and ensure funds are legitimately obtained. Examples of SOF/SOW documents include:

• Bank statements showing accumulated wealth.
• Payslips or employment contracts.
• Tax returns.
• Inheritance documents.
• Documents related to property sales or business income.

Any request for SOF/SOW will be accompanied by a clear explanation of why it is needed and how to provide the necessary documentation. Your privacy will be respected throughout this process, and all information handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Once you submit your documents, our dedicated verification team reviews them. We strive to process all verification requests efficiently. Our standard processing time is typically within 24 to 48 hours, although this may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the verification. You will be notified via email or through your Colba account regarding the status of your verification.

To expedite the process, please ensure that all submitted documents are:

• Clear, legible, and in full colour.
• Valid and not expired.
• Complete, showing all required information and all four corners of the document.
• Uploaded in an accepted format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, PDF).

If additional documents are required or if there are issues with your submission, we will contact you with specific instructions.

Colba takes the security and privacy of your personal data very seriously. All documents and personal information submitted for verification are handled with the utmost care and stored securely in accordance with our strict data protection protocols and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Your documents are encrypted and accessible only to authorised personnel involved in the verification process. We implement robust technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. We will never share your documents with third parties unless legally required to do so by our licensing authority or other relevant regulatory bodies.

Colba operates under a strict anti-money laundering (AML) policy, which is an integral part of our licensing requirements. Our KYC procedures are designed to comply with international AML regulations, helping to prevent our platform from being used for illicit activities. We continuously monitor transactions and account activities for any signs of suspicious behaviour. If we detect any activity that raises AML concerns, we are legally obliged to report it to the relevant authorities, and we may be required to suspend or terminate your account and freeze funds.

Our commitment to AML compliance protects all our players and contributes to a safer online gaming environment.

Underage gambling is strictly prohibited at Colba. Our age verification procedures are a critical component of our responsible gambling policy. During the registration and verification process, we confirm that all our players are at least 18 years of age or the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction, whichever is higher.

If we suspect that an account holder is underage, or if age verification fails, the account will be immediately suspended, and any funds or winnings will be frozen and potentially forfeited. We encourage parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling sites.

While we strive for quick verification, delays can occur if the submitted documents are unclear, incomplete, or if additional information is required. If your verification is delayed, please check your registered email for communication from Colba. We will always inform you if there's an issue.

If verification is unsuccessful after multiple attempts or if we cannot confirm your identity, we may be unable to continue providing our services to you. This could result in account suspension or closure, and any pending withdrawals may be delayed or cancelled. We will always communicate the reasons for such decisions, where legally permissible.

If you have any questions about the KYC process, need assistance with uploading documents, or encounter any issues during verification, our customer support team is available to help. You can reach us via:

• Live Chat: Available directly on the Colba website during operational hours.
• Email: Send your queries to [email protected].

Please provide your account username and a clear description of your query so we can assist you efficiently. Our team is trained to guide you through each step of the verification process and address any concerns you may have.