What KYC is, briefly
KYC is "Know Your Customer". The platform is required by Indian law to verify the identity of every player who deposits or withdraws money. The verification is a one-time process, and the documents are stored securely by the platform.
KYC is the floor of the platform-reader relationship. Without KYC, the reader cannot deposit (on most platforms) and cannot withdraw (on any platform). With KYC, the reader can deposit, play, and withdraw, subject to the platform's terms.
The three documents
Most platforms require three documents for KYC:
- PAN card. The Permanent Account Number card, issued by the Income Tax Department. The PAN is the tax identifier, and the platform uses it to report winnings above the TDS threshold.
- Address proof. A recent utility bill (electricity, water, gas), a bank statement, or an Aadhaar card. The address proof must be in the reader's name, and the address must match the address on the PAN or the Aadhaar.
- Bank account proof. A cancelled cheque, a bank statement, or a passbook front page. The bank account must be in the reader's name, and the IFSC must match the bank's records.
The penny drop, in detail
The penny drop is a one-rupee credit to the bank account, sent by the platform. The credit confirms that the account is in the reader's name and can receive funds. The penny drop is the final step of KYC, and the credit is refunded (or absorbed by the platform's processing fee) within 24 hours.
The penny drop is a real check, not a formality. A bank account that fails the penny drop is a bank account that cannot receive withdrawals, and the platform will not approve KYC for that account.
The upload, in detail
The upload is the first step of KYC. The reader uploads the PAN, the address proof, and the bank account proof to the platform, either as photos (taken with the phone's camera) or as PDFs (scanned from a computer).
A useful rule: take the photos in good light, with the document flat on a dark surface. A photo that is blurry, or that has glare, will be rejected by the platform's KYC queue, and the reader will have to upload again.
The review, in detail
The review is the second step. The platform's KYC team checks the documents against the platform's records, and the penny drop is initiated. The review is usually completed within 24 hours, but it can take up to 48 hours on weekends or during high-volume periods.
The review is also where the platform checks the name on the PAN against the name on the bank account. A name mismatch is the most common reason for a KYC rejection, and the reader will have to either update the bank account or contact support.
The approval, in detail
The approval is the third step. The platform sends a notification (in-app, SMS, or email) confirming that KYC is complete, and the reader can deposit and withdraw. The approval is a one-time event, and the reader does not have to re-verify unless the platform requests it.
A useful rule: do not deposit a large amount before KYC is complete. A platform that requires KYC before withdrawal will hold the deposit until KYC is approved, and the reader cannot withdraw the deposit until the approval comes through.
What slows KYC down
The most common reasons for a slow KYC are: a blurry photo, a name mismatch, a holiday or weekend, and a high-volume period (e.g. the IPL season, the Diwali week). Each of these can add 24 to 48 hours to the review time.
The least common reason is a platform-side delay. A platform that delays KYC for more than 72 hours is a platform to leave.
What to do when KYC is slow
The first thing to do is to check the KYC status in the cashier. Most platforms show the KYC status ("pending", "in review", "approved", "rejected") in the cashier, and the status is updated in real time. The second thing to do is to check the documents: a blurry photo or a name mismatch will be visible in the rejection reason. The third thing to do is to contact support.
A useful rule: a KYC that is slow inside 48 hours is a KYC that is in the platform's queue. A KYC that is slow past 72 hours is a KYC that needs support intervention.
KYC and the first deposit
Most platforms allow the first deposit before KYC is complete, but the platform will hold the deposit until KYC is approved. The held deposit is visible in the cashier, and the deposit is released to the playable balance once KYC is complete.
A useful rule: complete KYC before the first deposit, not after. The reader who completes KYC first is the reader who can withdraw without delay.
KYC and the first withdrawal
The first withdrawal on a new account is usually slower than subsequent withdrawals, because the platform runs an additional verification check. The check is the penny drop, and the check is real. The first withdrawal can take 24 to 48 hours, even on UPI.
A useful rule: plan the first withdrawal at least 48 hours before the funds are needed. The reader who plans ahead is the reader who is not surprised by a slow first withdrawal.
The shelf, in three lines
The shelf is the same three measures for every platform: lobby and table finding, cashier and verification, and responsible-play controls. The KYC is part of the cashier and verification measure, and the times above are the honest averages across the platforms we have used.
