1.1 Compliance Statement
WoT N.V. (the Company), being established in and governed by the laws of Curaçao, is committed to implementing robust policies to prevent money laundering (ML), terrorism financing (TF), and proliferation financing (PF). In light thereof, the Company has developed a comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorism Financing and Counter Proliferation Financing (AML/CTF/CPF) policy. Adherence to this Policy is obligatory and vital for guaranteeing that the Company remains in full compliance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to AML/CTF/CPF. As a responsible gaming enterprise operating in Curaçao, we acknowledge the paramount importance of upholding the integrity of our financial systems and preventing the exploitation of our operations for unlawful activities. Our commitment to compliance transcends mere legal requirements; it is a core component of our corporate responsibility and ethical principles.
1.2 Applicable Legislation
The local authorities in charge of the supervision of AML/CFT/CFP matters for the gaming sector are the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) and the Curaçao Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The following laws and regulations, as well as any additional regulations issued pursuant to the NOIS, NORUT, the Sanction National Ordinance and the Kingdom Sanction Law, are applicable to the Company:
The Company’s operations are guided by collaboration with international regulatory bodies, including the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), strengthening our compliance with global standards.
1.3 Document Maintenance and Review
This AML/CTF/CPF policy is designed to meet the legal requirements as outlined by the Gaming Control Board of Curaçao and to foster a culture of compliance within our organization.
Regular reviews and updates will be conducted to adapt to evolving regulations and business needs. The maintenance and review of this document will take place six (6) months after its initial release, as noted in the effective date. Following that, reviews will occur on annually.
1.4 Definition of Money Laundering
Money laundering (ML) is the process of concealing the true origins of illegally obtained funds, making them appear to originate from legitimate sources. Money laundering encompasses a broad range of activities, including attempts to turn criminally obtained money into 'clean' money, transferring the benefits of crimes like theft or fraud, and facilitating the laundering of criminal or terrorist property. This process typically occurs in three stages:
1.5 Definition of Financing of Terrorism
Terrorism Financing (TF) refers to the provision of funds or financial support for terrorist acts, individuals, or organizations, and is characterized by the intent to intimidate populations or compel governments and international bodies to act or refrain from acting. Unlike money laundering, which always involves proceeds from illegal activities, terrorist financing may not necessarily derive from illicit sources; instead, it often utilizes legitimate funds from charitable donations, business profits, or foreign government sponsorships. While both terrorism financing and money laundering may employ similar methods – such as cash smuggling, structuring, wire transfers, and the use of debit and credit cards – the primary concern of TF is to obscure the intended use or end recipient of the funds rather than their origin. Additionally, funding for terrorist activities does not always require large sums of money, as it can accumulate over time through simple transactions.
The gaming sector, especially online platforms, can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist groups looking to launder money or transfer funds discreetly, due to its inherent anonymity and high transaction volumes. Ultimately, the goal of terrorism financing is to facilitate the planning, preparation, and execution of acts that threaten both national and international security.
1.6 Definition of Financing of Proliferation of Weapons
Financing of proliferation (FP) is the provision of funds for the manufacture, acquisition, possession, development, export, trans-shipment, brokering, transport, transfer, stockpiling or use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery and related materials.
1.7 Targeted Financial Sanctions
We are committed to complying with targeted financial sanctions, which require the freezing of funds and assets of individuals and entities identified by the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) as being involved in terrorism or proliferation activities. Mechanisms are established to ensure compliance with these sanctions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
In the instance that a true match is discovered, the Company shall immediately proceed with freezing the funds of the particular customer, in accordance with the Sanctions Ordinance, and shall immediately file a report with the FIU. Once the true match is confirmed by the supervisory authority, the Company shall terminate services and keep the frozen assets until further instruction from the supervisory authority.
2.1 Explanation of the Risk-Based Approach
The Company adopts a risk-based approach in our AML compliance program, as recommended by FATF guidelines. This approach is essential for identifying and mitigating ML/TF risks specific to the online gaming industry. When developing its AML compliance program, the Company assesses risks in such a way that higher risks necessitate more robust measures to mitigate them. Conversely, for lower-risk scenarios, the Company may employ simplified measures.
To effectively apply the risk-based approach, the Company conducts a preliminary assessment of the risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing within the organization, and based thereon develops and implements suitable policies, procedures, and controls to manage and mitigate these identified risks, including the present Policy.
The Company shall continuously monitor and enhance the effectiveness of these policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring that it maintains thorough documentation of its risk assessments, detailing all actions taken and the rationale behind them. The Company shall also assess and manage risks associated with emerging technologies and new gaming products that may facilitate ML/TF/PF activities.
2.2 Business and Customer Risk Assessments
2.2.1 Business Risk Assessment
The Business Risk Assessment (BRA) framework is an essential element of the Company’s AML/CFT/CFP compliance program. It offers a systematic risk-based approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing within the Company’s operations.
The Company conducts comprehensive BRAs and evaluates potential risk factors related to customers, products, services, geographic locations, and delivery channels. Each identified risk factor is assessed based on its likelihood and potential impact, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data. Appropriate controls and measures are then implemented to address the identified risks, tailored to the specific level and nature of the threat. All findings, evaluations, and mitigation strategies are documented and reported to senior management and relevant regulatory authorities.
BRAs are conducted regularly to ensure that the Company’s risk profile stays current and accurate, with a comprehensive assessment performed annually. Additional assessments may be prompted by significant events, such as the launch of new products, changes in regulations, or substantial shifts in the business landscape.
2.2.2 Customer Risk Assessment
The Customer Risk Assessment will assess the particular risks the casino will be exposed to when providing its services or products to customers. The information collected to draw up the CRA will formulate the customer’s risk profile. On the basis of the CRA, the proper level of CDD can then be applied.
3.1 Customer Acceptance
3.1.1 Risk Indicators
The customer risk rating is first assigned when new customers applies for an account. This rating helps decide how often the customer will be reviewed in the future: higher risk means more frequent reviews.
The customer risk rating plays a crucial role in the entire CDD process. It helps determine how thorough the verification process will be and what extra documents or information are needed to manage the identified risks. Additionally, it guides the monitoring of the customer, as the risk level dictates how often monitoring and reviews occur.
The risk assessment process takes into account the following factors:
3.1.1.1 Customer Risk
This involves assessing the customer’s background, occupation, and transaction patterns. High-risk customers, such as politically exposed persons (PEPs) and those from high-risk jurisdictions, receive particular scrutiny. Categories of customers whose activities indicate a higher risk include:
3.1.1.2 Product/Service Risk
This factor evaluates the risks associated with the products and services offered. The following products and services are considered to be at higher risk of criminal exploitation. This includes gaming products or services where customers can influence game outcomes, either on their own or in collaboration with others. Additionally, certain payment methods used by customers and accepted by casinos are seen as riskier for ML and TF. The following is a non-exhaustive list of high-risk factors:
As it is strict Company policy not to accept cash as means of payment, the Company’s AML Policy is conducive the curtailment of AML risk.
3.1.1.3 Geographic Risk
This assessment considers the geographic location of the customer and the transaction, with countries that have weak AML/CFT regulations or high levels of corruption being deemed higher risk. The nationality, residence and place of birth of the player have to be taken into account as these might be indicative of a heightened geographical risk. The Company takes into account the following sources of information produced by the FATF and other well-known non-governmental bodies (not limited):
The Company shall consistently monitor for any updates to the lists above and adjust its CDD process to reflect any changes. For an overview of the high risk countries, please see Annex II.
3.1.1.4 Delivery Channel Risk
This factor looks at the risks associated with the methods used to establish a business relationship or through which transactions are carried out. The Company considers the increased risk of ML/TF of the use of channels that favor anonymity and interactions on a non-face-to-face basis and, to the extent possible, shall take all reasonable measures to address and mitigate said risks.
3.1.2 Prohibited Accounts
The Company’s customer acceptance policy is formulated in accordance with legal requirements and aligns with the Company’s risk appetite as well as the BRA. Therefore, certain categories of individuals are prohibited from being accepted as customers, either by preventing them from registering or by blocking their access to our site, as necessary:
3.2 CDD Measures
The Company has the obligation to undertake CDD measures when:
The CDD measures to be taken are as follows:
The Company’s KYC procedures require prospective customers to create a full profile at point of registration. Mandatory information required at registration stage includes:
To complete the required customer identification and verification process, the Company asks its customers to upload a copy of valid identification documents. This request is sent to the customer's registered email address. If needed, the customer may also receive a phone call to help with the verification process. If the documents are in a different language, the Company will take necessary steps to ensure that the documents adequately prove the customer’s identity, such as obtaining a translation of the relevant parts. This may involve asking the customer to submit documents with a certified true translation.
Only documents issued by government agencies that include a photograph are deemed reliable for verifying the customer’s identity. Documents issued by the government that lack a photograph can be used to confirm the customer’s current address, provided the address is included on the document.
If a document submitted by a potential customer does not meet the verification standards, the compliance officer or designated staff member must immediately flag it for further examination. The initial review should be thorough to pinpoint the specific reasons for non-compliance.
Once a non-compliant document is identified, the customer must be informed without delay. If the customer cannot provide compliant documents within 30 days from the moment the Naf. 4,000 threshold is reached, the Company shall terminate the relationship with the customer and report the transaction to the FIU.
All actions taken in response to non-compliant documents must be carefully recorded. This includes the initial identification of the issue, communications with the customer, any escalations, and the final outcome. Comprehensive records should be maintained in the customer's file to ensure a complete audit trail.
3.3 Enhanced Due Diligence
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) will be implemented for customers identified as higher risk, consistent with the risks identified. In particular, they should increase the degree and nature of monitoring of the business relationship, in order to determine whether those transactions or activities appear unusual. Enhanced Due Diligence has to be conducted where the risks of money laundering or terrorist financing are higher. In any case, the following scenarios are subject to EDD:
The applied measures must be consistent with the risks identified. They should increase the degree and nature of monitoring of the business relationship, in order to determine whether those transactions or activities appear unusual or suspicious. Examples of EDD measures include but are not limited to:
3.4 Simplified Due Diligence
In low-risk scenarios, where the risks of ML/TF/PF are lower, simplified due diligence measures may be applicable, balancing the need for compliance with operational efficiency. Such measures include but are not limited to:
Simplified CDD measures are not acceptable whenever there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing, or where specific higher-risk scenarios apply, or when the customer reaches the threshold prescribed above of Naf. 4,000.
3.5 Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
A PEP is an individual who is entrusted with prominent public functions, other than middle ranking or more junior officials, including the following individuals:
The following individuals are also regarded as PEPs by virtue of their relationship or association with the individuals listed above:
To identify if a client should be regarded as PEP the Company uses a variety of methods containing sufficient resources. The Company, on an ongoing basis, verifies whether its customers may be considered as PEPs by utilizing open sources and public databases. Should a player who had not been identified as a PEP at on- boarding stage result to have become one, the casino is required to implement the measures described below in 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 within 30 days or terminate the relationship.
The requirements for the CDD of PEPs, as listed below in 3.5.1 and 3.5.2, shall apply also to relatives and close associates of PEPs, as defined in this Policy.
3.5.1 Foreign PEPs
With respect to customers that have been confirmed as foreign PEPs, the Company shall:
3.5.2 Domestic PEPs
The Company shall take reasonable measures to determine whether a customer is a domestic PEP or a person who is or has been entrusted with a prominent function by an international organization. In cases of a higher risk business relationship with such persons, casinos are required to apply the measures referred to in items b, c and d above. In accordance with the risk-based approach that the Company employs measures are tailored to the risk of the PEP, where the following is taken into consideration:
3.6 Ongoing Monitoring
3.6.1 Ongoing Customer Profile Monitoring
During the periodic review of a customer, the Company verifies and confirms that the CDD information about the client, nature and purpose of the business relationship, and SOF is still accurate and up to date, evaluate if there are external signals (bad press/adverse news, incidents) that could give rise to a change in the business risk profile of the customer and ensure to perform screening against sanctions lists and PEP lists. The periodic review also includes an overall review of the transaction behavior of the client to determine if unusual activities have taken place, for instance in case of transactions which normally would not be expected.
The periodical review of the customer is based on the risk profile of the customer:
- For high risk customers – once per year;
- For medium risk customers – once every 2 years;
- For low risk customers – once every 3 years.
3.6.2 Ongoing Transaction Monitoring
The Company shall perform both real time monitoring of transactions, as well as post-event monitoring, to ensure that such transactions and activity are consistent with the Company’s knowledge of the client and their expected activity. More attention is paid to high amounts, high-risk clients and high-risk jurisdictions.
4.1 Reporting Obligations
All unusual activities and transactions, including attempted transactions, are initially reported internally. The officers responsible for transaction monitoring must immediately report any unusual activities to the Compliance Officer upon identification, providing a brief description of the specific mitigating measures taken.
All employees who engage with customers or have access to customer information receive anti-money laundering training. This training prepares them to identify actions by customers that may reasonably raise suspicions of money laundering or terrorism financing. Staff members are expected to recognize and understand any gaming or transaction behaviors that might indicate customer involvement in money laundering or terrorism financing. If they know, suspect, or have reasonable grounds to believe they are dealing with the proceeds of crime, they must submit an internal report to the Compliance Officer (CO) in accordance with the Reporting Procedure. This ensures that the employee’s legal obligation to report is fulfilled.
Employees are required to report any unusual activity to the Compliance Officer immediately using an internal reporting form. The Compliance Officer will conduct a preliminary review of the reported activity within 24 hours to assess whether it requires further investigation.
If a more in-depth investigation is necessary, the Compliance Officer will complete this within five (5) business days. During this time, the Compliance Officer may request additional information from relevant departments.
If the Compliance Officer concludes that the activity is unusual, an initial report must be submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit Curaçao regarding any unusual or unusual monetary operations or transactions.
4.2 Recognition of Unusual Transactions
Staff will be trained to recognize unusual transactions based on customer profiles and specific indicators. Reporting procedures to the compliance officer will be established.
According to NORUT, the Company is observing both objective and subjective indicators to assess whether a customer’s transaction is deemed unusual. All such transactions must be reported to the compliance officer in a format approved by management. Additionally, any supporting documentation, such as copies of identification, cash-out slips, and other relevant records, must also be submitted as supplements.
The Compliance Officer is tasked with maintaining an organized filing system for these records. If the casino fails to report internally identified transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the rationale for this decision must be thoroughly documented and signed by the compliance officer and/or management. In accordance with the FATF Recommendations, the Company and its employees pays particular attention to all complex or unusually large transactions, as well as any unusual transaction patterns that lack a clear economic or legitimate purpose.
The following transactions or intended transactions are deemed unusual:
4.3 Prohibition of Disclosure
All reports and investigations must be handled with the highest level of confidentiality in accordance with Article 20 of the NORUT. Unauthorized disclosure of information related to unusual activity reports is strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.
The Company has implemented a system of measures to ensure that employees and representatives who report suspicions of money laundering, terrorist financing, and/or financing of proliferation to the FIU Curaçao are safeguarded from threats or hostile actions by other employees, members of the management body, or customers. Additionally, they are protected from adverse or discriminatory employment actions.
4.4 Record Keeping
The casino will retain all necessary records of transactions, both domestic and international, for a minimum of five (5) years to ensure compliance with information requests from regulatory authorities. These records must be detailed enough to allow for the reconstruction of individual transactions, including the amounts and types of currency involved, if applicable, to provide evidence for potential criminal prosecutions.
All records gathered through CDD measures, such as copies of official identification documents, account files, and business correspondence, will be stored for at least five (5) years after the business relationship has ended or after the date of an occasional transaction.
Records shall be stored in a manner that ensures their integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility. Electronic records shall be stored in secure, encrypted databases with access controls to prevent unauthorized access. Physical records shall be stored in locked, fireproof cabinets within secure areas of the office. Access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Regular backups of electronic records shall be conducted and stored in a separate, secure location to prevent data loss.
After the retention period, records shall be disposed of securely to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure. Electronic records must be permanently deleted using secure deletion software that ensures data cannot be recovered. Physical records must be shredded using cross-cut shredders or incinerated to ensure complete destruction.
5.1 Appointment of a Compliance Officer
A senior compliance officer will be designated, responsible for overseeing the AML program and ensuring compliance with regulations.
5.1.1 Duties of the Compliance Officer
The compliance officer shall be assigned at least the following responsibilities:
5.2 Employee Screening and Training Programs
5.2.1 Employee Due Diligence
Employee due diligence is a process employed to screen employees with the objective of identifying and reducing the Company’s exposure to the risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing. These procedures apply not only to the Company’s contractual employees, but also to its contractors and subcontractors. The employee due diligence process is informed by the Company’s risk assessment and the specific roles within the organization. Any employee whose position may enable them to facilitate money laundering or terrorism financing must undergo screening. This requirement applies to:
To screen both current and potential employees, the Company should:
The Company will consider the knowledge and qualifications required for the responsibilities and authorities associated with each role.
Positions that may render an employee vulnerable to collusion with or coercion by criminal organizations should undergo more rigorous checks. The Company must evaluate whether the employee:
Regular updates and re-evaluations are essential for maintaining an effective compliance program against money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. This process includes conducting periodic reviews of all employees, with a particular emphasis on those in high-risk roles, to ensure their risk profiles are accurate and current. Additionally, reviews triggered by significant changes in an employee’s job responsibilities, promotions, or external alerts that may influence their risk status are also initiated.
5.2.2 Training
In delivering AML/CTF training to the designated categories of employees, the Company will consider the necessary knowledge and qualifications required for their duties, responsibilities, and authorizations. As part of the training framework, the Company will outline the AML/CTF requirements and provide comprehensive information on the measures and activities that staff are expected to undertake within their roles.
The Company will ensure that documentation of the training provided to staff is maintained, capturing the following information:
The Company will regularly update the training programs to reflect any changes in internal and external regulations, as well as developments in the availability of training programs in the market for external training. Furthermore, extraordinary training in AML/CTF matters will be provided in specific situations, including:
5.3 Independent Audit Function
An independent audit function will be established for the annual evaluation of the AML program, ensuring audit personnel are qualified and findings are documented. The audit must include several key assessments, such as:
The audit shall also evaluate the Company’s responsiveness to previous audit findings. All testing scope and results must be documented, with any deficiencies reported to senior management, along with requests for prompt corrective actions.