Antimoney Laundering (AML) Standards for Casinos and Responsible Gaming Practices: A Worldwide Handbook (2025)

In 2025, the global landscape for online casinos and betting platforms is characterised by stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, with regional variations but generally aligned with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and specific local regulations.

Across the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU), operators are required to use advanced iGaming KYC software, enforce bonus limits, conduct ongoing affordability reviews, and adhere to full Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements. Countries like Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands have strict AML regulations that mandate customer due diligence, risk-based controls, and suspicious transaction reporting.

In the United States, legal online betting is permitted in about 38 states and D.C., each with unique tax rules, advertising/bonus constraints, and expensive regulatory compliance. KYC/AML practices vary by state but are trending towards stricter controls.

Emerging markets such as Brazil and Peru present challenges due to slow, fragmented licensing and diverse regional AML/KYC rules. Asia, including the rapidly growing esports betting market, demands robust platforms for compliance due to its high-risk nature.

Crypto-focused platforms may still advertise "No KYC" options, but these are increasingly facing regulatory scrutiny and are often limited or illegal in regulated markets. Ongoing updates to AML/KYC policies are common due to evolving regulatory landscapes, and operators must stay audit-ready.

Casinos must continuously assess player risk profiles and perform Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk users. Operators must implement behavioural monitoring systems to proactively identify indicators of gambling-related harm or risky behaviour. All players must be verified at onboarding, including real identity, age, and address checks using government-issued IDs, biometric verification, and screening against adverse media.

Regional gambling sectors are governed by specific acts. For example, Gibraltar's gambling sector is subject to the Gambling Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Code of Practice. All remote gambling operators must conduct thorough Anti-Money Laundering checks and adhere to stringent reporting, customer due diligence, and transaction reporting obligations.

In Costa Rica, AML and Know Your Customer controls exist, but are minimal, and responsible gambling obligations are very limited. In contrast, Curacao's gambling operators must obtain a license directly from the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) under the new National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). Operators must undergo integrity and financial checks, pay updated application and annual fees, and comply with strict AML/CFT and responsible gaming requirements.

Casinos in the USA are regulated at the state level, with each state having its own regulator. FinCEN supervises AML compliance for casinos as "financial institutions" under the Bank Secrecy Act. In the European Union, each member state is responsible for the regulation of both land-based and remote gambling. The 4th, 5th, and 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directives (AMLD) set minimum AML requirements for all obliged entities across the EU, including gambling operators.

Operators must ensure that appropriate safeguards, education, and support mechanisms are in place to protect minors, people with gambling problems, those with disabilities, and other at-risk groups from exposure to gambling. This includes providing at least the basic suite of player protection tools, such as deposit and loss limits, session time limits, time-out and self-exclusion features, and reality checks.

In conclusion, 2025 sees online casinos and betting operators globally required to implement comprehensive KYC and AML compliance programs that involve identity verification, continuous risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting. This ensures the prevention of financial crimes and supports responsible gambling practices.

Operators in the United Kingdom and European Union must use advanced software for customer due diligence, enforce bonus limits, and adhere to strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, implementing robust platforms for compliance. (responsible-gambling, casino-and-gambling)

In the United States, operators must perform thorough AML checks, adhere to unique tax rules, and implement player protection tools for responsible gambling under state regulations. (responsible-gambling, casino-and-gambling)

Antimoney Laundering (AML) Standards for Casinos and Responsible Gaming Practices: A Worldwide Handbook (2025)