The invention of mobile gambling has led to a super-competitive industry, where new innovations and solutions are always being launched. However, one of the best mobile gaming inventions is often overlooked – SMS deposits.
SMS casinos have become more and more popular recently, as players are finally catching on to the many benefits they offer. If you're still in the dark, however, don't worry.
On this page, you can learn everything you need to know about SMS casinos, including:
- How SMS deposits work at online and mobile casinos
- The advantages of using the method
- The restrictions of using the method
- What kinds of games you can enjoy as an SMS depositor
What is an SMS Deposit at an Online Casino?
An SMS casino, as the name suggests, is a casino which allows players to deposit funds via SMS text message. Usually, such sites are mobile casinos however a lot of them are available to desktop and tablet players too.
SMS casinos offer all the same great things you've come to expect from online casinos (great games, slots, bonuses and promotions), yet allow you to fund your account in a way which is super easy. As such, they're some of the most convenient casinos around.
How to Make an SMS Deposit
No matter if you are already a pro at spinning those reels or are a total beginner, completing a payment is super easy. You don't even need any extra accounts to enjoy SMS games, as all that's required to make a deposit is a mobile telephone number.
Do note, to make a deposit, you're mobile provider needs to accept the method. If you're having difficulty, contact them to make sure you have the ability to do so.
- Log in to your casino of choice and go to the depositing page
- Select the SMS depositing option from the list of payment methods (may be called Boku, SIRU, Pay by Mobile)
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit to the casino
- Enter your mobile phone number (this must be a UK phone number and remember, this is the number to which the deposit will be charged)
- Confirm the payment by responding to the verification SMS message (you may need to reply to the text message, or you may need to enter a security code at the casino, which will be included in the verification SMS message)
Once these steps are complete, your funds should be in your casino account immediately. We told you it was super straight-forward and simple.
The best casinos with SMS Bill Deposits
- Massive selection of games
- VIP Spinner!
- Tuesday competitions
Highlights
- Massive selection of games
- VIP Spinner!
- Tuesday competitions
Facts
- Launched2016
- UK License
- Min. Deposit£10
- Amount of Games1,000+
- Support
- Withdrawal time1-3 Days
Welcome Bonus
- Welcome Bonus£200
- Deposit percentage100%
- Free spins200
- Turnover40x
- BonusesGiveaways
Website
- Websitespinit.com
- Terms & conditionsT&C applies
- ReviewRead review
- Heaven for Slot lovers
- One of the best apps
- 24/7 Live Chat
Highlights
- Heaven for Slot lovers
- One of the best apps
- 24/7 Live Chat
Facts
- Launched2013
- UK License
- Min. Deposit£10
- Amount of Games+200
- Support
- Withdrawal time1-7 days
Welcome Bonus
- Welcome Bonus£100
- Deposit percentage100%
- Free spins200
- Turnover40x
- BonusesGiveaways
Website
- Websiteslotsheaven.com
- Terms & conditionsT&C applies
- ReviewRead review
- Mobile Compatible
- Irish Theme
- Regular Promotions
Highlights
- Mobile Compatible
- Irish Theme
- Regular Promotions
Facts
- Launched2016
- UK License
- Min. Deposit£10
- Amount of Games200+
- Support
- Withdrawal timeUp to 5 Days
Welcome Bonus
- Welcome Bonus£100
- Deposit percentage100%
- Free spins100
- Turnover30x
- BonusesGiveaways
Website
- Websitepotsofluck.com
- Terms & conditionsT&C applies
- ReviewRead review
SMS Billing Casino Methods
SMS deposits work by charging the deposit to your monthly phone bill or by subtracting it from your existing phone credit. This means that you needn't share your bank or card details with the casino, which can be a worry for some players.
Instead, the SMS depositing service works in partnership with your mobile network. This means you can play right now and simply pay for the deposits when your monthly phone bill comes through. SMS deposits can be made via most of the UK's major phone networks, including Orange, Three, EE, Tesco Mobile and 02.
In addition to working in partnership with mobile networks, different casinos may use different SMS depositing services. They all work more or less in the same way, yet there are subtle differences in each. In the UK, the most popular SMS payment services include:
Boku
Boku is the payment intermediary you’re most likely to come across at SMS casinos. It’s incredibly popular, with over 1.35 million active users, and this is due to the fact it’s easy to use, reliable and quick.
Boku works in partnership with leading phone networks across the world. In the UK, these include Three, EE, O2, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone. It’s also completely free to use and all deposits via the method are processed immediately.
- Fees: 15% may apply on some casinos
- Max Deposits: £30 daily
Fonix
Fonix is arguably one of the least well-known SMS casino methods, yet that isn’t to say it’s no good. Although the method launched all the way back in 2009, it has only recently started being adopted by mobile casinos. In fact, there are only a handful of sites where you can use Fonix to make mobile deposits.
We expect Fonix to grow in popularity, as it’s efficient and convenient. The service works a little differently to other pay by phone bill methods, in that it allows deposits to be made via mobile, tablet and desktop. This means that it's perfect for users who want to play on their computer, without having to reach for their phone when they want to make a payment.
Fonix is free at the point of use and any payments made through the system are credited to your casino account immediately.
- Fees: No fees
- Max Deposits: £30 daily
Payforit
Payforit is another popular SMS casino method, which is owned jointly by 3, EE, 02 and Vodaphone. As such, its one of the easiest ways to pay by phone bill, as the system has been designed to work flawlessly across all mobile devices.
Payforit is a UK payment intermediary and can be used by anyone who has a Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go Phone.
It’s available to use with all UK mobile networks, as well as some virtual operators such as Lebara and Virgin. Payforit is always free to use, and transactions are instant.
- Fees: No fees
- Max Deposits: £30 Daily
SIRU Mobile
SIRU Mobile is one of our favourite payment methods. Whilst it may not be as popular as Boku or Payforit, it’s available to use at some of the best UK online casinos. Like the others, SIRU Mobile payments and fast, simple and secure, which is why it stands out as an excellent choice for all different types of players.
SIRU Mobile currently works in the UK, Sweden and Finland. The company have plans to expand to more countries in the future, and they’ve also recently launched an e-wallet service too. SIRU Mobile payments are completely free and transactions are processed instantly, meaning you needn’t wait round to start playing.
- Fees: Fees may apply on some casinos
- Max Deposit: £25
The Advantages of SMS Deposits
One of the main reasons why players may choose an SMS slot site over one which only offers traditional payment methods
isbecause it makes your whole life easier. They're completely convenient and, therefore, you can start playing the casino games you love as soon as possible.
Aside from being a real time-saver, however, there are many other benefits to using this type of casino:
- SMS deposits are completely secure, as you don't need to share your bank details with the casino
- LSMS deposits don't require you to sign up to a new payment service, which saves you from having to remember a new set of login details
- These types of deposits are perfect for mobile players, as everything can be managed from the same device
- SMS casinos offer a wide variety of games, including mobile slots, table games and more
- SMS depositing casinos also offer a wide array of rewards and promotions, including no deposit bonuses and free spins
- SMS deposits are at some casinos free, but not every casino have that, at some casinos there are a small transaction fee
Are There Any Drawbacks to SMS Services?
The main drawback to using an SMS service is that your deposits will be limited to £30 per day. This is the case at all SMS casinos and via all SMS depositing services. This limit is put in place to make sure that no one player can rack up hundreds of pounds worth of debts, which they cannot afford to pay off when their phone bill comes through. It's a logical limit which serves to protect players, yet this can be a real disadvantage to high-roller players.
Secondly, players cannot withdraw via SMS services. This makes sense too, as the casino doesn't have any information about where to send your funds and you wouldn't want your winnings to be stuck in your mobile account, would you?
Whilst this is slightly inconvenient, the good news is that most good SMS slot sites make it easy for depositors to use an alternative payment method when it comes to cashing out. This means that whilst withdrawing as an SMS player isn't as easy as it is for e-wallet users, it isn't the end of the world.
Finally, some SMS casino sites do not allow players who deposit via the service to pick up bonuses and promotions. This is entirely unfair and we'd recommend that you simply avoid these sites. That being said, it does mean that it's imperative that you read the casino's terms and conditions carefully before signing up as an SMS player.