Source of funds explained
Source of funds is evidence of where the money you deposit into a casino app comes from, such as wages, savings, a pension or an inheritance. UK operators ask for it to meet anti-money-laundering and social responsibility duties, usually when deposits rise or don’t fit what they know about you. Payslips and recent bank statements are the most common proof.
By the Best Casino Apps UK team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Source of funds shows where your deposits come from; it is a legal check, not an accusation.
- Requests usually follow higher or unusual spending rather than appearing at random.
- Payslips, bank statements and savings or pension statements are the usual evidence.
- Withdrawals and deposits may be paused until the request is resolved.
- Meaning
- Evidence of where deposited money comes from
- Why asked
- Anti-money laundering and social responsibility duties
- Common proof
- Payslips, bank statements, P60, savings statements
- Related check
- Source of wealth (your overall financial position)
- How sent
- Upload in the app or via a secure link
What source of funds means in a casino app
A source of funds request asks a simple question: where did the money you are gambling with come from? The operator wants to see that deposits come from legitimate income or savings that belong to you. It is part of a casino’s AML duties and also supports its responsibility to spot customers who may be gambling more than they can afford.
On a phone, the request usually arrives as an in-app message, an email or a banner on the account page, often linked to a documents section where you can upload files. It typically comes after KYC has been completed, because identity has already been confirmed and the operator now needs to understand the money.
Source of funds vs source of wealth
| Source of funds | Source of wealth | |
|---|---|---|
| Question asked | Where did this particular money come from? | How did you build your overall financial position? |
| Typical scope | Specific deposits or a recent period | Income, assets and savings over time |
| Usual evidence | Payslips, recent bank statements | Property, investments, business ownership, inheritance documents |
| When you may see it | Higher deposits, unusual patterns | Very high spending or high-risk profiles |
Most casino app customers who receive a request only need to deal with source of funds. Source of wealth is generally reserved for much larger sums. An affordability check overlaps with both but focuses on harm rather than the origin of money.
Why a casino app asks for source of funds
Money-laundering law requires casinos to understand their customers’ transactions, and the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions expect operators to check that spending is consistent with what they know. In practice, requests tend to follow one of a few patterns: deposits that rise sharply, a large single deposit, a run of deposits over a short period, or activity that doesn’t match details such as age or stated occupation.
Operators set their own triggers and don’t publish them, partly so they can’t be gamed. Two people depositing the same amount may therefore be treated differently. The source of funds checks guide explains the process in more depth, including what operators say about timescales.
Documents that usually satisfy a source of funds request
- Employment income: recent payslips, or bank statements showing salary payments.
- Self-employment: a recent tax return or HMRC tax calculation, or business bank statements.
- Annual earnings: a P60 from your employer.
- Savings: savings account statements showing the balance the deposits came from.
- Pension: a pension statement or payment letter.
- One-off sums: an inheritance letter from a solicitor, a property sale completion statement or a redundancy letter.
Bank statements usually need to show your name, account details and the relevant period, and some operators ask for statements covering the account your deposits came from. Requirements vary, so read the request carefully and ask support if anything is unclear.
Sending source of funds documents from your phone
- Open the request in the app inbox or email and note exactly what is asked for and the period it covers.
- Download statements as PDFs from your banking app; most UK banks let you save or share a statement from the account screen.
- Save the files to the Files app on iPhone or the Downloads folder on Android so you can find them easily.
- In the casino app, go to Account, then Documents or Verification, and upload each file, or use the secure link in the operator’s email.
- Check the upload status, then confirm with support that everything has been received.
What happens while a source of funds check runs
Operators may pause deposits, play or withdrawals until a request is resolved, and they can restrict or close an account if the evidence isn’t provided. Any balance remains yours, although it may not be withdrawable until the review ends. A withdrawal caught up in a review shows as pending longer than usual; the pending period entry explains why.
If the request makes you stop and think about how much you have been spending, that is useful information too. Deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion are available in every UK-licensed app, and the National Gambling Helpline is free on 0808 8020 133. The gambling support services page lists more help.
Related glossary terms
- KYC: the identity checks that come first.
- AML: the legal framework behind source of funds requests.
- Affordability check: checks focused on financial harm.
- Deposit limit: a tool to keep spending at a level you choose.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does source of funds mean at a casino?
It means evidence showing where the money you deposit comes from, such as your salary, savings, pension or a one-off payment like an inheritance. UK casinos ask for it to meet anti-money-laundering law and Gambling Commission requirements, usually when your deposits rise or don’t fit the information they hold. Typical evidence includes payslips and recent bank statements. It is a routine check, not an accusation. The source of funds checks guide explains what to expect at each stage.
Why is a casino app asking for my payslips?
Payslips are one of the simplest ways to show that deposits come from legitimate earnings. A casino may ask for them after higher-than-usual deposits, a large single deposit or activity that doesn’t match what it knows about you. The request comes from legal duties under money-laundering rules and the operator’s licence conditions. Send them through the official app or the operator’s secure link only. If you are self-employed, a tax return or HMRC calculation usually works instead. The casino app asking for documents page lists other requests.
Do I have to provide source of funds documents?
You don’t have to, but the operator can restrict or close your account if you don’t, because it can’t meet its legal obligations without them. Deposits, play or withdrawals may be paused until the request is resolved, though any balance remains yours. If you would rather not share financial documents, you can ask how to close the account and have the balance returned. Speak to support first so you understand the options. The how to close a casino app account guide shows the steps.
How long does a source of funds check take?
It depends on the operator and how quickly the right documents arrive. There is no standard timescale: each operator sets its own, and a review can take longer if it needs extra information. Sending complete, clear documents covering the exact period asked for is the best way to avoid delays. Ask support for an expected timescale and note when you uploaded everything. If the delay becomes unreasonable, you can complain, and then use the operator’s ADR service. See how to complain about a casino app for the process.
Is source of funds the same as an affordability check?
They overlap but aren’t the same. A source of funds request asks where specific money came from, mainly for anti-money-laundering reasons. An affordability or financial risk check looks at whether your gambling may be causing harm relative to your means. Both may use bank statements or payslips, and one request can serve both purposes. Neither is a judgement on you; both are legal duties for the operator. The affordability checks guide explains how those checks work on casino apps.
Will a source of funds check affect my credit rating?
Providing documents to a casino doesn’t itself affect your credit rating, because it isn’t a credit application. Some operators use credit reference agency data as part of wider checks, which is normally a soft search that lenders can’t see. Gambling transactions on your bank statements are a separate matter that lenders may look at when you apply for credit or a mortgage. The casino apps and mortgage applications guide covers that side in detail.