What is Politically Exposed Person (PEP)?

A politically exposed person (PEP) is someone who holds, or recently held, a prominent public function such as a minister, senior judge, central bank official, high-ranking military officer or executive of a state-owned company, plus their close family and known associates. Anti-money-laundering rules treat PEPs as a higher-risk category because the position could be misused for bribery or corrupt funds, not because any wrongdoing is assumed. Gambling operators screen new and existing customers against commercial PEP and sanctions databases during KYC. A match does not automatically block the account; it usually triggers enhanced due diligence, senior sign-off before onboarding, tighter transaction monitoring and more frequent requests for source of wealth evidence. PEP status generally continues for a period after the person leaves office.