Find a Pay by SMS Casino in the UK That is the Best for You

By Marisha

Date published: 2025/10/01

Last updated: 2025/10/01

10 minutes

On the other hand, if you can pay by SMS you don’t even have to put your phone away. In this article we will review the best pay by SMS casinos in the UK, take a look at how this process works, and share some tips on how to make the best out of this option. But before we dive deeper, we encourage you to take a look at some casinos featured on our website that offer a pay by SMS service.

What is a Pay by SMS Casino?

Pay by SMS is a payment option that is charged to your phone bill. On various gambling platforms it may appear under different names, for example, “pay by mobile,” “SMS deposit,” “SMS bill,” or “pay via phone”. Strictly speaking, “pay by phone” is a broader concept that includes any deposit operation made via your phone, but most of the time it will include paying by SMS.

If you are using this option, you can send a text message with the request to top up your deposit at the online casino. The payment will be carried out by the gambling platform and either charged to your phone bill or deducted from your credit if you use a prepaid plan.

Top 5 Casinos in the UK That Accept Payment by SMS

As payment by SMS becomes an increasingly popular method, more casinos try to implement it into their systems. To give you a bit of a sneak peak into some of our favourites, check out a short review on our top 5 picks.

Licensing	UKGC	UKGC	UKGC, MGA	UKGC	UKGC
Mobile optimisation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minimum deposit	£10	£10	£10	£10	£10
Customer support	Email, FAQ	Contact form, email, chat 24/7	Email, chat 24/7	Chat 24/7, email, FAQ	Chat 24/7, emai

How to Choose a Pay by SMS Casino

Paying by SMS is a convenient option that doesn’t involve using your bank card or any other financial information. However, there are still certain aspects you should verify before playing at a casino that offers this payment option to make sure you have a pleasant and safe experience.

• Licensing and regulations. Whichever payment method you are using, when you are playing at an online casino, real money is at stake. Also, you have to provide your personal information when creating a new account. That’s why safety should be your top priority. Check that the online casino has a license issued by a trustworthy regulatory authority and has been found in compliance with security and other standards.
• Customer support quality. You might need technical or other assistance when depositing money via SMS or at any other point during playing. Customer support service should have several contact channels, with at least one or two of them working 24/7. The staff should also be competent and quick to respond.
• Bonuses and promotions. Make sure that you are eligible for a welcome bonus if you are making your first deposit via a text message. Though many casinos provide equal bonuses to all newcomers if they fulfill certain requirements, it is still worth reading terms and conditions so that you don’t miss any important details.
• Variety of mobile operators. The majority of large UK mobile operators provide this service to their customers. However, you should check that the casino of your choice accepts payments by SMS from various operators. If at any point you decide to switch your service provider, you should be able to continue using payment by SMS.
• Mobile optimisation and user friendly interface. Since you opt to deposit money to your account via your mobile phone, it is safe to assume you play on your mobile device too. If that is the case, you should always check how well the casino is optimised for this purpose. The interface should be built to correspond to mobile ratios, be easy to understand and navigate, and have all the functionalities of the desktop game.

How Payment by SMS Work

The best part of the pay by SMS method is that you don’t even have to put your phone down and go look for your card. In fact, you can do it in five simple steps:

1. In the “Cashier” section (the name may vary per casino) select the “Pay by SMS” option.
2. Add your mobile number in the designated field.
3. Select an amount you wish to deposit from a list or enter a custom amount (a lower and upper limits may apply).
4. You will receive a text message with a confirmation code on your number.
5. Enter the code in the designated field on the casino platform.

After that, the specified amount will immediately be deposited to your account and you can start playing.

When you are making a deposit via a text message, some limits may apply. The lower limit will vary per casino, but is usually around £10, though some may go lower. However, the upper threshold can be pretty limiting as it typically ranges between £30 and £40 per day. So if you are playing high stakes games, this can be an obstacle. Moreover, some casino platforms impose a monthly limit for SMS deposits, which usually equals to about £240 per month.

As to the charges on your deposit, as a rule neither casinos, nor mobile service providers charge this service, however it is always best to check with both the casino customer service and your operator’s terms and conditions for any possible charges.

Pros and Cons of Pay by SMS

When it comes to playing in an online casino, pay by SMS method seems to be a very convenient and safe option. However, it can have its downsides which you should be aware of before making a decision about your payment methods. Below you will find the most prominent advantages and disadvantages payment by SMS can have.

Tips for Playing at Pay by SMS Casinos

There are a couple of things you can do to enhance your playing experience at a pay by SMS casino. All these steps are fairly easy, yet will ensure you have a safer and more enjoyable gameplay.

• Check license and regulations. Payments via text message provide a certain level of security where you don’t have to disclose your bank details, but it doesn’t mean you should completely ignore safety measures. Every time you sign up for a new casino, check their license and verify that it was issued by a well established regulatory authority.
• Responsible gambling. Playing at an online casino is a form of entertainment, and you should treat it as such. Establish financial and time limits, never chase losses, and stake your money only when you know the game.
• Have a withdrawal method. While you can top up your deposit via SMS, this method doesn’t work for withdrawals. Have a withdrawal method at the ready to avoid unnecessary hassle when you will decide to take out your winnings.
• Know when to stop. Deposits via SMS have certain daily and monthly limits imposed by mobile operators, so you will have an in-built responsible gambling mechanism. However, you should also know when it is time to stop. Finish playing when you are winning so that you don’t feel the urge to chase losses when a losing streak comes. Never play when you are stressed, and make sure gambling doesn’t damage your daily life and interfere with responsibilities.

List of Mobile Operators in the UK That Allow Payment by SMS

If an online casino lists pay by SMS as one of its payment methods, they will usually accept payments through all major UK mobile operators. This will include:

• EE
• O2
• Vodafone
• Three

When it comes to smaller operators, such as GiffGaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, or Virgin Mobile, their availability may vary per gambling platform. The best course of action for you is to check the Terms and Conditions or contact the customer support individually when you want to sign up at a new online casino.

Enjoy the Game

If you prefer to play online casino games on your mobile device, payment by SMS is a very convenient method to top up your deposit. It is as fast and easy as sending a common text message, doesn’t require additional waiting time, and provides additional safety as you don’t need to share your bank details.

Always remember that responsible gambling must be your first priority. Select a pay by SMS casino carefully, stay within your budget and time limits, and always treat gambling as a form of entertainment, not means for fast financial gain.