Source of funds & affordability checks — why casinos ask, and what to do
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Gamblerfy editorial team
You're mid-session, or trying to withdraw, and the casino suddenly asks for a bank statement, a payslip, or "proof of source of funds". It feels intrusive — but at a licensed operator it's a legal requirement, not a personal judgement, and knowing how it works gets your account unlocked fast.
Two different checks
- Source of funds (SoF). Proves the money you're gambling with is legitimate — not proceeds of crime. This is an anti-money-laundering obligation the operator can't skip.
- Affordability. Assesses whether your gambling is sustainable for your income — part of safer-gambling duties. It's about protecting you from harm, not judging you.
The two overlap in practice, and a bigger deposit or loss run can trigger either or both.
What usually triggers a check
- Deposits or losses passing a threshold over a period.
- A sudden jump in spend, or rapid repeated deposits.
- Patterns the operator's monitoring flags as potential harm.
- Regulator-driven rules in your market — checks are strictest in mature markets like the UK.
What they may ask for
- Source of funds: recent bank statements, and sometimes evidence of where a large amount came from (a sale, inheritance, savings).
- Income / affordability: payslips, proof of employment, or in some cases source-of-wealth details.
- These are separate from the standard ID verification (KYC) done at sign-up or first withdrawal.
How to handle it fast
- Respond promptly with clear, current documents — legible, in date, matching your account name. Delays are usually on the customer's side.
- Send only what's asked, through the operator's secure upload — never by unsolicited email links (that's a phishing risk).
- Expect a hold until it clears. A licensed site must pause play or withdrawals rather than continue without the check.
- You can decline — but the account will typically be restricted and funds held until the check is met.
If an affordability check makes you pause, that's worth listening to. Set a deposit limit before you play, and if gambling stops feeling in control, take a break or self-exclude. Get help & set limits.
A site that never runs these checks isn't being generous — in regulated markets it may not be properly licensed. Verify it on the official register: see how to check a licence and regulators by country. Unfamiliar term? Our glossary explains them all.