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 – 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 — 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. Let’s 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 you’re on a contract).
Deducted from your PAYG (Pay As You Go) balance if you’re a prepaid user.
This method is fast, convenient, and private — there’s no need to enter card details or share bank information.
UK Casinos That Accept SMS Payments (Boku/Payforit):
Casino rating
94%
Bonuses and promotions
90 %
Security
94 %
User support
92 %
Game offer
98 %
Deposits and withdrawals
98 %
The best welcome bonus
100% up to £200 with fair conditions
+ 11 Wager-free spins on Starburst slot
11 FS – New players only. Min. deposit £10. Account ballance is withdrawable at any time. Upon withdrawal, any remaining bonus spins are forfeited. 7 days to activate the spins. Bonus spins will expire 24 hours after activation. Full T&C Apply.
£200 deposit bonus – New players only. Min. deposit £10. 30 days to activate & 60 days to use deposit bonus after activation. Wager req.: 35x on eligble games. Max. Bonus £200. Bonus balance is paid with 10% Increments to account balance. Bonus balance is not payable. Max. bet is £20 or up to value 50% of the bonus amount – whichever is lowest. Account ballance is withdrawable at any time. Upon withdrawal, any remaining deposit bonus is forfeited. Full T&C Apply, play responsibly.
Casino rating
91%
Bonuses and promotions
94 %
Security
96 %
User support
92 %
Game offer
84 %
Deposits and withdrawals
90 %
The best welcome bonus
Up to £200 as a first deposit bonus
+ 50 Free spins on Big Bonanza slot
New players only, £10 min fund, £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 £250), full T&C’s 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 £10 or less per transaction. A few allow £30, but that’s the legal max per transaction in the UK.
Withdrawals: You cannot withdraw via SMS — you’ll 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.
⚠️ 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., “Pay with Boku” or “Payforit”).
Enter Your Phone Number
Type in your mobile number and the amount you want to deposit.
Confirm by SMS
You’ll 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 – What’s the Difference?
Feature
Boku
Payforit
Supported Networks
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
Max Deposit per Transaction
£30
£30
Requires App
No
No
Works via SMS
✅
✅
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 – no banking details shared
No withdrawals – you need a bank account or e-wallet to cash out
Lower deposit limits (usually £10-£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 can’t withdraw via SMS, you’ll need to set up an alternative withdrawal method — 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 — SMS payments are hard to beat.
Use the bonus spins offer at PlayOJO to get 50 FS on the Big Bass Bonanza slot. The minimum required deposit to activate the bonus is £10 and your spins can be played at the £0.1 chip size. Note that the bonus is not available for players from N.I. Irregular play may lead to the removal of rewards. All the OJO Rewards and Game Play policies apply.
Warning: Play and gamble responsibly | Gambling may be addictive 18+ | Underage gambling is an offence | When the fun stops, stop.
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