Source of funds means where the money you deposit into a casino app actually comes from, such as your salary, savings or the sale of a house. UK-licensed operators sometimes ask for proof, usually bank statements, to meet anti-money laundering duties and to check you aren't gambling money you can't afford to lose.
Source of funds is about where your gambling money comes from, not who you are.
Operators ask for two reasons: anti-money laundering and safer gambling.
Bank statements are the usual evidence, and checks can run through a third party.
A withdrawal shouldn't trigger requests that could reasonably have been made earlier.
Only send documents through the app's or operator's official upload route.
Means
Where your deposited money comes from
Usual evidence
Bank statements
Reasons
Anti-money laundering and safer gambling
Who can ask
Any UK-licensed operator
Related rule
LCCP 17.1.1 (identity verification)
What source of funds means in a casino app
In plain terms, a source of funds question asks: how did this money reach your account? It's separate from KYC, which confirms your name, address and date of birth. An operator can know exactly who you are and still need to understand whether your deposits fit your income.
You'll meet the phrase in emails, in-app messages or a verification banner on your account. Our casino app glossary groups it with the other account and money terms you're likely to see in a UK app.
Being asked about your source of funds doesn't mean you're suspected of wrongdoing. It's a routine part of how licensed operators meet their legal duties.
That the money is legitimate and not the proceeds of crime
The wider public and the financial system
Social responsibility
Signs that you may be gambling money you don't have
You, the customer
The second reason links source of funds to the wider safer-gambling rules on customer interaction, which require operators to spot and act on signs of harm, including how much you spend.
Source of funds documents an app may request
The Commission lists the kinds of information a business may ask for. Bank statements are the most common. You might also be asked about irregular income, for example money expected from a pending house sale.
Recent bank statements showing salary or other income going in.
An explanation of a one-off sum, such as an inheritance or a property sale.
Information an operator gathers itself, such as income estimates built from open-source data and Office for National Statistics publications.
The Commission says checks may be made directly by the operator or through a third party. Our list of documents casino apps ask for covers the identity side, which is a different request.
When a source of funds check tends to happen
The Commission's consumer guidance doesn't name a fixed pound amount that triggers these questions. What the rules do set is timing for identity: under licence condition 17.1.1 (opens in a new tab), operators must verify who you are before you gamble, and tell you before you deposit what information they may need and when.
There's also a protection at withdrawal. A withdrawal request mustn't trigger requests for information that could reasonably have been asked for earlier, unless another legal obligation requires it at that point. If your payout is held up, our guide to a casino app withdrawal pending explains the usual causes.
Higher spenders meet these checks more often. Since 31 October 2020, operators must hold up-to-date ID, occupation and source of funds evidence before treating someone as a VIP or high-value customer.
How to respond to a source of funds request
Read the request in full and note exactly which documents and date range are wanted.
Confirm the message is genuine by opening the operator's app or website yourself rather than following a link.
Download statements from your banking app as PDFs instead of photographing a screen.
Upload through the operator's official route; PlayOJO's help pages, for example, ask for documents through its upload tool rather than email.
Keep a note of when you sent everything, and contact support if you don't hear back.
Source of funds vs affordability and vulnerability checks
Several money checks get mixed up. This table sets out how they differ.
Money-related checks in UK casino apps
Check
What it looks at
Status (October 2026)
Source of funds
Where your deposits come from, usually via bank statements
Used by operators case by case
Financial vulnerability check
Public records such as bankruptcy or CCJs once net deposits pass £150 in 30 days
Weak source of funds checks have featured in several Gambling Commission cases. In February 2020, Mr Green Limited agreed to pay £3 million after the Commission found ineffective procedures to prevent harm and money laundering, including weak source of funds checks.
In 2020, Betway Limited agreed an £11.6 million package over failings involving high-spending VIP customers, including no source of funds checks on a customer who deposited more than £8 million. You can read more about how the regulator works in our guide to how casino apps are licensed in the UK.
Source of funds and the apps we cover
Source of funds questions apply at every UK-licensed app, including the three below, so they aren't a reason to pick one app over another. The welcome offers shown here are small slot offers built around a £10 stake, which is well below the spending levels where these checks usually come up. All are 18+ and terms apply.
Coral: new players who deposit and bet £10 or more on slots get 100 free spins on selected games, worth 10p each, with 48 hours to accept and 7 days to use them. There's no wagering on free spin winnings. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't qualify, and the offer runs from 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027.
Ladbrokes: new customers who deposit and spend £10 or more on slots get 50 free spins a day for the first 10 days, up to 500 in total. Each spin is worth 10p on selected games, must be claimed before 23:59 each day and lasts 7 days, with no wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits are excluded.
PlayOJO: new UK customers outside Northern Ireland get 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, worth 10p each, with a first deposit of at least £10. Winnings are paid in cash with no wagering; the offer can't be combined with others and is only available through the designated offer link.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited, so you may not be able to open new accounts at both. Each brand's verification page, such as Coral's verification guide, explains its own checks.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does source of funds mean at an online casino?
It means the origin of the money you deposit, such as wages, savings or a one-off payment. A UK-licensed casino may ask you to show this, usually with bank statements, to confirm the money is legitimate and that your gambling fits your means. It sits alongside identity checks rather than replacing them. Our KYC entry explains the identity side, which every UK app must complete before you can play.
Why is a casino app asking for my bank statements?
Usually because it needs to understand your source of funds. The Gambling Commission says businesses ask about finances for anti-money laundering reasons and to spot signs that someone may be gambling money they don't have. Statements show income going into your account. Send them only through the operator's official upload route, and see what documents casino apps ask for for the other requests you might meet.
Is a source of funds check the same as an affordability check?
No, they're different things. A source of funds check looks at where your deposits come from, and operators use it case by case. "Affordability check" is a popular label that the Gambling Commission calls inaccurate, and it has no plans for such checks. The live rule is a public-record financial vulnerability check at £150 net deposits in 30 days. Our affordability check entry explains the confusion.
Can a casino app hold my withdrawal for source of funds checks?
It can ask for information at withdrawal only in limited circumstances. Commission guidance says a withdrawal request mustn't trigger requests for information that could reasonably have been asked for earlier, unless another legal obligation requires it at that point, and anti-money laundering law can be one of those. If you think a delay is unfair, raise it with the operator first, then follow the steps in how to complain about a casino app.
What happens if I don't provide source of funds documents?
The Commission's consumer page doesn't say what happens if you decline, so check the operator's terms and ask support directly. In practice, an operator that can't complete checks it needs for legal reasons may restrict what you can do on the account. If you'd rather stop playing altogether, our guide on how to close a casino account explains the process.
Do casino apps share my bank statements with anyone?
The Commission says checks can be done by the operator directly or through a third party, so your information may be handled by a specialist provider working for the operator. How your data is used should be set out in the operator's privacy policy and the app's privacy label. Our guide on how casino apps use your data explains what to look for before you upload anything.
Does a source of funds request mean I've done something wrong?
No, a request on its own isn't an accusation. Licensed operators have to understand where larger sums come from, and they're also required to look out for signs of financial harm. It can feel intrusive, but it's part of what separates a regulated app from an unlicensed one. Our guide to are casino apps safe covers the other protections UK licensing gives you.
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