It’s impossible to imagine gambling without money. Although you can play most games without it, it’s probably not the right thing to do. Of course, you don’t have to top up right away and you can play for sign-up bonuses, but if you’re not lucky enough, you’ll probably use them up over time and end up having to fund your account. In our article today, we’ll show you how you can top up your account via SMS at some casinos.
SMS Payment Casinos β How to Pay by Phone Bill in the UK
Paying by SMS is one of the easiest ways to deposit at UK online casinos. With this method, you can deposit funds directly from your mobile phone β either added to your monthly phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.
In the UK, Boku and Payforit are the two most popular services offering Pay by Phone options at licensed casinos. Letβs look at how they work and why players love them.
What is SMS Payment?
SMS Payment, also known as Pay by Phone Bill, allows players to fund their casino account using their mobile number. After confirming the deposit via text message, the amount is either:
Added to your monthly phone bill (if youβre on a contract).
Deducted from your PAYG (Pay As You Go) balance if youβre a prepaid user.
This method is fast, convenient, and private β thereβs no need to enter card details or share bank information.
UK Casinos That Accept SMS Payments (Boku/Payforit):
18+/ New Players Only / Wager from real balance first. 50X wager the bonus / Contribution varies per game / Selected games only / Wager calculated on bonus bets only / Bonus valid 30 days / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt / Max conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: Β£20 / Limited to 5 brands within the network / Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses / Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits / GambleAware.org. / Full Terms apply
18+.New players only, Β£10 min fund, Β£200 max matchup bonus, free spin wins credited as bonus, 65x wagering requirements, max bonus conversion to real funds equal to lifetime deposits (up to Β£250), full T&C’s apply. BeGambleaware.org.
New players making their first deposits only. Min deposit Β£20. 100% deposit match, max Β£100 cash. 30x wagering on first deposit amount to receive cash. Redeposit allowed to complete wagering. 18+.Full T&Cβs apply. BeGambleaware.org.
18+ | New players only | Minimum deposit of Β£10 required | First deposit is matched 100% |Maximum bonus is Β£200 | Bonus funds must be wagered 10x | Table casino games and progressive jackpots won’t contribute towards wagering requirements | There’s a maximum conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to Β£250 | Gambleaware.org. | Terms & Conditions apply.
18+ | New players only | Minimum deposit of Β£10 required | Spin the Mega Reel to win a random prize | Winnings from bonus spins must be wagered 65x | Table casino games and progressive jackpots won’t contribute towards wagering requirements | There’s a maximum conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to Β£250 | Gambleaware.org. | Terms & Conditions apply.
18+ | New players only | Verify your debit card to claim the no deposit bonus spins | The no deposit spins have a max win of Β£8 | After making a first deposit of Β£10 you can play the Genie Lamp to win a random prize| Winning isn’t guaranteed and any bonus spins are available on selected games | Amazon vouchers will be emailed within 7 days | Winnings from bonus spins must be wagered 10x | There’s a maximum conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to Β£250 | BeGambleaware.org. | Terms & Conditions apply.
18+ | New players only | Minimum deposit of Β£10 required | Initial deposit is matched 100% | Maximum bonus is Β£200 | Bonus funds must be wagered 10x | Table casino games and progressive jackpots won’t contribute towards wagering requirements | There’s a maximum conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to Β£250 | Gambleaware.org. | Terms & Conditions apply.
Warning: Play and gamble responsibly | Gambling may be addictive 18+ | Underage gambling is an offence | When the fun stops, stop.
Important Notes
Deposit Limits: Most casinos have low limits for SMS payments, typically around Β£10 or less per transaction. A few allow Β£30, but thatβs the legal max per transaction in the UK.
Withdrawals: You cannot withdraw via SMS β youβll need to set up a bank account, PayPal, or another withdrawal method.
Bonuses: Some casinos exclude Pay by Phone deposits from their welcome bonuses. Always check the bonus terms before depositing.
β οΈ Casinos change their payment options sometimes!Not every site consistently offers Pay by Phone year-round!
How to Use Boku or Payforit at UK Casinos
Choose a Casino
Find a licensed UK casino that supports Boku or Payforit in the cashier section.
Select ‘Pay by Phone’
Choose Pay by Phone as your payment method. Some casinos show the specific provider (e.g., βPay with Bokuβ or βPayforitβ).
Enter Your Phone Number
Type in your mobile number and the amount you want to deposit.
Confirm by SMS
Youβll receive a confirmation text. Reply or follow the link to approve the payment.
Start Playing!
The funds arrive instantly, and you can start playing your favourite games.
Boku vs Payforit β Whatβs the Difference?
Feature
Boku
Payforit
Supported Networks
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
Max Deposit per Transaction
Β£30
Β£30
Requires App
No
No
Works via SMS
β
β
Fee for Players
None
None
Used at Casinos
Very common
Common
Both methods are safe, quick, and convenient, but Boku tends to be supported by more casinos than Payforit.
What are other ways to deposit money into an online casino or sportsbook?
Money is inherent to gambling. Without it, the game would be dull and, for most of us, uninteresting. That’s why online casinos and bookmakers give you several ways to deposit money into your account. Some have several options available to you, while others are limited to a basic account-to-account transfer. The most common options are:
This list is not uniform for all providers, so it is a good idea to check first whether the method is supported at your chosen online casino. You can find out directly on the provider’s website or in our reviews. In these reviews you will not only find information about the possible payment methods, but also useful tips or a complete overview of the bonuses.
Pros and Cons of SMS Payments at UK Casinos
No need for a bank card
Fast and easy deposits
Works with all major UK networks
Extra privacy β no banking details shared
No withdrawals β you need a bank account or e-wallet to cash out
Lower deposit limits (usually Β£10-Β£30 per transaction)
Not always eligible for bonuses
Are SMS Payments Safe at UK Casinos?
Yes! Both Boku and Payforit are fully regulated and work only with licensed UK online casinos. They use secure SMS verification to ensure that only the phone owner can approve payments.
However, since you canβt withdraw via SMS, youβll need to set up an alternative withdrawal method β like a bank transfer or PayPal.
Final Verdict
If you want quick and simple deposits without sharing banking details, Pay by Phone Bill is a fantastic option for UK players. Both Boku and Payforit make it fast and secure to fund your account using just your mobile number.
However, keep in mind the low deposit limits and the need to withdraw via another method. For small, casual deposits β SMS payments are hard to beat.
Welcome bonus for a new players only | 18+ | Offer valid for 7 days from registration | Maximum bonus is 100% up to Β£ 100 | Min. deposit is Β£20 | No max cashout | Wagering is 50x bonus | Maximum bet while playing with a bonus is 10 pennies per spin | Eligibility is restricted for a suspected abuse | Debit Card deposits only (excludingβ―Revolut, Infinite, Yorkshire Bank, Contis Financial Services, Dzing Finance LTD, BNEXT, PJSC JSB UKRGASBANK, Fidobank, Prepaid Financial Services, AB Citadele Bankas, Visa Sweden Association, 439627,β―First Ukrainian International Bank, Verse Payments Lithuania UAB, 465830, Payrnet.)β―No other payment method will qualify. Gambleaware.org
Warning: Play and gamble responsibly | Gambling may be addictive 18+ | Underage gambling is an offence | When the fun stops, stop.
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