Source of funds

Source of funds means information and proof about where the money a player transfers to a casino account comes from. A casino may ask for it when deposits are large, when the player's activity suddenly changes or when the amount does not seem to match earlier information. The question is part of the anti-money laundering obligations, not an accusation.

What a source-of-funds check is

In a basic KYC check the casino establishes who you are and, if needed, asks for proof of address. A source-of-funds check goes one step further: the casino wants to understand whether the money being played matches your income or assets. The requirement comes from the EU anti-money laundering directive and in Estonia from the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act, which require gambling operators to apply risk-based due diligence.

Sometimes a distinction is also made with source of wealth: while source of funds concerns a specific deposit, source of wealth asks more broadly how the player has built up their assets. The latter is asked less often and usually for very large amounts.

Which proofs are usually requested

• a payslip for recent months or a bank statement showing salary payments;
• an individual income tax return or other official proof of income;
• a document about the sale of property, a loan or an inheritance, if the money came from that;
• a statement of savings or investments;
• a statement of earlier casino winnings, if the deposits come from them.

Documents must be legible and in your name. Transactions unrelated to the question can usually be hidden on a bank statement, but the name, account number and relevant payments must remain visible. Before uploading, ask customer support whether partial redaction is allowed.

How this affects your withdrawal

While the source-of-funds check is ongoing, the withdrawal may stay in pending status or the casino may temporarily suspend deposits. The faster and more accurately you reply, the sooner the check usually ends. If the check goes unanswered, the casino may reject the withdrawal or close the account in line with its terms.

The check can also happen on the bank's side: with a large incoming payment the bank may itself ask where the money comes from. We write about this situation in the article when money gets stuck at the bank. A general overview of documents is on the page KYC check and withdrawal.

How to prepare

• Make deposits only from your own account and with payment methods in your name.
• Keep your gambling budget, or bankroll, in line with your income.
• If you know you will make a larger deposit, keep the proofs at hand in advance.
• Answer questions briefly and with facts; do not send documents that were not requested.

Once the casino has confirmed your source of funds, you usually do not need to send the same document every time – it is often enough as long as your playing pattern does not change significantly. If your income or circumstances change, the casino may ask for updated proof. Keep copies of all the files you submitted so you can easily refer to them if needed.

Is a source-of-funds request a sign of a problem?

Not necessarily. The check is often automatic and triggered by an amount or pattern, and the same rule applies to all players. Still, it is worth considering whether the amounts you play with are reasonable for you. If the question makes you worry about how much you gamble, you will find help on the responsible gambling page, and general information from the Financial Intelligence Unit is at fiu.ee.