The online casino sector has grown rapidly since the launch of the smartphone and the convenience of mobile gaming has inspired casino operators to come up with new ways to make the casino gaming experience better for customers.
One of the most interesting of these developments is the evolution of the pay-by-mobile payment method. This enables casino gamers to use their mobile devices to deposit funds to their casino account, either by using mobile phone credits or by adding deposits to their mobile bill. To provide you with more information about this new form of casino play, we’ve put together a short guide to your pay-by-mobile options and how to find the best pay-by-mobile casinos.
All about pay-by-mobile casinos
Mobile payments are increasingly accepted at UK casinos, and the majority of telecommunications companies allow customers to use their mobile devices to fund online casino gaming, including Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three, so whatever your mobile operator, you should be able to use this form of payment to make deposits at online casinos.
It is important to note that you are not able to make withdrawals from casinos using this payment method. Quite simply, this is because there is no technology that currently enables you to transfer money from your mobile device bill back to your original banking account, although this may change as technology and demand develop over the next few years.
Advantages of mobile deposits
There are some obvious advantages of using your mobile device to make a casino deposit. The most significant are that this method provides considerable convenience and security. Here are the main advantages of using a pay-by-mobile casino:
Speed and convenience: Setting up a pay-by-mobile deposit is one of the fastest ways to fund a casino account and can be set up with just a few clicks and a confirmation SMS.
Security: This type of deposit system is one of the most secure you can use to fund your casino account, as every stage is protected by sophisticated encryption.
Flexibility: There are many different forms of mobile contract, ranging from varieties of pay-as-you-go to lengthy contracts, and most of these support pay-by-mobile casino deposits.
Accessibility: Even if you don’t have access to standard bank account options, pay-by-mobile is a viable alternative to make deposits at an online casino site, although if your account options are restricted due to financial problems, casino gaming may not be a responsible activity.
Disadvantages of mobile deposits
As with any form of payment, there are also disadvantages to the use of mobile payments to fund a casino account, and these need to be considered fully, including:
Higher deposits: Although this is not a blanket rule, casinos often require a higher minimum deposit in the case of mobile payments.
Contract issues: While most mobile operating companies will allow you to make casino deposits and add these to your phone bill, there may be exceptions. It is important to check this out with your own operator before you make any deposits.
Withdrawals: We mentioned this above, but it is worth reiterating, as for many people it is the most significant disadvantage of the pay-by-mobile system. If you get lucky and score a win at a casino, you will need to find a different method to withdraw your winnings.
How pay-by-mobile casinos work
Using a pay-by-mobile casino is relatively straightforward and although the methods may vary slightly, you can usually get started by following these simple steps:
- Log onto or register with your preferred online casino site.
- Find the payment section of the site, which will include the pay-by-mobile option.
- Choose the relevant pay-by-mobile option from the available list.
- Enter the details of your mobile account as requested.
- Choose the amount of money you wish to deposit.
- Confirm your deposit with the casino.
- When the deposit is approved, the money will be charged to your phone bill or deducted from your pay-as-you go balance, depending on which method you use.
- Start playing your preferred casino games.
Identifying the best pay-by-mobile casinos
Most online casinos will give you the option of making deposits with your mobile device, but some casinos will be more suited to your needs than others. Here are some of the key factors to consider when you are choosing a pay-by-mobile casino:
Game choice
Perhaps the most important aspect of any casino is the range of games that are available. While sites with the largest collection of games are not always the best options, generally you want to be able to choose from a wide selection of games, across all the main categories.
This means you should favour sites that offer games from multiple game developers rather than just one or two. You should also look for sites that cover all the gaming options, ranging from the latest in video slots through to traditional table games, video poker, live casino and alternative games such as bingo, keno, craps and game show titles.
Licensing and reputation
It is essential that you choose a casino site that is fully licensed by the relevant gambling authority, which in the case of the UK, would be the UKGC. Never gamble at unlicensed sites. It is also a good idea to do some research on the reputation of a casino site. You can often find out a great deal about a site based on what other players are saying about it. As long as you read reviews and opinions with a clear and objective approach, this is a useful way of identifying the best sites.
Mobile compatibility
For pay-by-mobile players, it is important to be able to rely on a site’s ability to handle mobile gaming. While most casino sites will state that they are mobile compatible, this can vary widely. Some sites provide mobile platforms that give a restricted or limited service, or that are tricky to navigate on a small screen. Look out for sites that score highly for their mobile gaming service.
Ongoing promotions
Modern casino sites often go to great lengths to attract new players by offering eye-catching welcome bonuses, but this doesn’t tell you very much about how the site treats regular customers. If you want to find out more about how player-friendly a site is, you can often do so by taking a look at what sort of promotions and bonuses it offers to regular players, including its reward and VIP programs.
Pay-by-mobile casinos summary
Financial technology is evolving rapidly and new forms of payment are constantly being developed, challenging businesses to adapt. Modern casinos have been adding different payment options for some time and opting to make deposits using your mobile device is now a realistic scenario for casino customers, across many different mobile networks.
It is important to remember, however, that casino gaming is a leisure activity and should be viewed as a form of diversion, not a get-rich-quick scheme. Whatever form of payment you use, you should never gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose and always gamble responsibly within strict limits to ensure that you remain safe.
