Using Pay by Phone on a bingo or casino site

Pay by Phone, also referred to as Pay by Mobile, is a relatively unknown method of payment on bingo and casino sites, but it is safe, quick, and easy. It can be used by almost anyone with a UK phone number, so is a widely available method. The most common method is Boku, but there are many other companies that provide this service too. Check out our pick of the best Pay by Phone Bingo Sites.

With so many easy payment methods available, why Pay by Phone?

Why deposit with Pay by Phone? 

Pros

Great for low depositors

While you can deposit thousands with Visa or Mastercard, with Pay by Phone you can only deposit up to £30 a day and £240 a month with your phone number. There is also the option of setting a spending cap directly with your network provider which acts as an additional deposit limit.

Remember, any votes you have cast for reality shows and competitions that charge your phone bill are included in this total spend for the day and month.

Payment notifications

After paying by phone you receive an SMS confirmation for your payment, so you can be comfortable in the knowledge that you will be aware of every payment made. This not only helps you keep track of what you are spending and how often, you will also be able to make sure your bill is not being used by someone else. 

Safe and secure

When paying with your phone bill your private bank details are not shared, so this is a very secure method of payment. The charge is simply added to your next phone bill, or if you have pay as you go (PAYG) it is taken off of your balance. Your carrier will sort out the payment for you, so you will not have to enter any bank details directly on the casinos website. 

All pay by mobile systems are regulated by the Phone-Paid Services Authority (PSA). Just like the UK Gambling Commission, the PSA makes sure that customers are protected from harm by enforcing a code of practice.

Cons

Not all mobile networks support Pay by Phone

While the major networks in the country do support Pay by Phone, if you are with a smaller carrier you may not be able to pay with your phone bill. EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three are all supported by most casino operators, but you will need to check each site to see if your carrier is available.

Exclusion from bonus offers

Some online bingo or casino sites may not offer their welcome bonus to players depositing with their phone bill, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before you deposit to ensure you are eligible for the welcome offer. You can always claim the bonus by depositing via another method and then make future payments via phone bill.

Withdrawals aren’t possible

While you can deposit and play when you pay by phone, you aren’t able to withdraw your winnings to your phone bill. In order to access your winnings you would need to add another payment method. This is why many people will choose to deposit directly with a different payment method.

How to Pay by Phone

The process of paying by phone does vary slightly from site to site but is overall straightforward. You’ll usually find the pay by phone/mobile option on the deposit screen, as with all other payment methods. You enter your mobile number and are then asked to reply with a word or activation code that you receive in an SMS message. 

Your funds are then available for you to play with.

Our favourite Pay by Phone bingo site

MrQ Bingo offers players the chance to pay by phone and receive 10 free spins, all wager-free! Once you have verified your mobile number you can receive an additional 10 free spins to spend on Midas Golden Touch. Your winnings are paid in real cash, so why not see why MrQ is one of the favourite online casinos on the market today. 

Our favourite Pay by Phone casino site

Come and play with PlayOJO, the self-proclaimed ‘fair casino.’ With zero wagering requirements and over 2,000 games to choose from, pay by phone and start the fun faster than ever before! All winnings are uncapped and new players can claim up to 80 free spins.

Alternative payment methods

• Apple Pay offers an easy payment method or iPhone or iPad users with the added security of biometric authentication. However, Apple Pay is not a true eWallet solution as you cannot use it to withdraw. Read our Apple Pay payment guide.

• Paysafecard is a pre-paid voucher payment method that lets you deposit on your favourite sites without ever passing your payment details to a third party. Be aware that there are a few frustrating restrictions when withdrawing. Read our Paysafecard payment guide.

• Neteller is an eWallet that works just like PayPal, however it comes with a catch. Neteller transactions, both withdrawals and deposits, all come with a small fee that may be off putting to many players. Read our Neteller payment guide.

• PayPal is the most well known and trusted eWallet solutions in the world. With fast, secure payments and nearly 20 years of brand recognition, PayPal is supported at a large number of casinos. Read our PayPal payment guide.

• Skrill's eWallet solution is fast, easy to use and secure. However, convenience comes at a cost as withdrawals to a bank account come with a fee of up to 7.5%! Read our Skrill payment guide.

• Boku is one of the most well known Pay by Phone payment methods. Quick and secure, it is a popular choice, though you can't withdraw using Boku. Read our Boku payment guide.