Pay by Mobile Casino Fees & Surcharges: Complete UK Guide (2025)

Pay by mobile casino fees can be charged when making a deposit. Depositing at a UK online casino by charging the payment to your phone bill is fast and card-free, but it isn’t always fee-free.
This article drills into why fees exist, how large they typically are, which casinos (and payment providers) tend to charge them, and – crucially – how to avoid unnecessary surcharges without ditching the convenience of Pay by Mobile.
Why do fees appear on Pay-by-Phone deposits?
When you confirm a £10 pay by mobile casino deposit via Boku, Payforit or Fonix, the mobile network is effectively extending you a micro-loan and handling settlement with the casino on your behalf. For that service, carriers bill the casino (or its payment gateway) a commission that can reach 10–15 % of the transaction value. Operators face three options:
- Absorb the fee as a cost of doing business (most player-friendly choice).
- Apply a flat surcharge (e.g., “£1 processing fee” on every phone deposit).
- Credit less than you authorised (e.g., you pay £10 but only £8.50 reaches your wallet).
A minority of UK casinos choose option 2 or 3 – creating the “phone bill casino fee” complaints you’ll see on forums.
Will you be charged a fee for using pay by phone bill at a casino online?
Most UK online casinos do not charge any fees for deposits made via pay-by-phone bill, making it one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to fund your account.
However, some mobile network providers may apply a small service charge on these transactions, so always verify with your operator before you deposit.
Key points on pay by phone fees
- Casinos: Generally no extra fees for pay-by-phone deposits.
- Mobile Networks: May add small service fees—these vary by provider.
- Deposit Limits: Typically low (£10–£30 per transaction) due to fee structures
and responsible gambling policies. - Check First: Review both the casino’s banking terms and your mobile network’s
policies to confirm any charges.
Recommendation for pay by phone bill fees
Before making a pay-by-phone bill deposit, contact your mobile network provider to confirm whether any fees apply and read the casino’s terms & conditions for pay-by-mobile transactions. This simple check helps you avoid unexpected charges and ensures a smooth deposit experience.
Table showing typical pay by phone bill casino fee structures in 2025
Fee Model | How It Looks in the Cashier | Real-World Example |
---|---|---|
Zero-fee (casino absorbs cost) | “£10 deposit ➜ £10 credited” | MrQ, Hyper Casino |
Flat surcharge | “£10 deposit + £1 processing fee” | Monster Casino (15 % flat) |
Net credit reduction | “£10 deposit ➜ £8.50 credited” | Select White-label Curacao sites |
Table showing a provider-by-provider pay by phone bill cost snapshot
Billing Provider | Typical Merchant Commission | How Casinos Handle It |
---|---|---|
Boku | ≈ 12 % | Majority absorb; a few deduct 15 % to cover VAT overhead. |
Fonix (Pay by Mobile) | ≈ 10 % | Similar to Boku; often fee-free due to slightly lower base rate. |
Siru Mobile | ≈ 15 % | Higher cut means casinos frequently pass on a flat £1 fee. |
PayviaPhone | ≈ 13 % | Usually billed as a 15 % deduction or bonus-ineligible deposit. |
Figures are industry averages sourced from Payment Service Provider (PSP) rate cards and operator disclosures 2024–2025.
4 tips on how to spot a pay by phone bill casino surcharge
- Open the casino Cashier → select Pay by Mobile → check the amount gamblingauthority.co.uk/li>
- Scan the Banking FAQ section for a line like “A 15 % carrier-billing fee applies.”
- Look for bonus fine print; “Deposits made via Pay by Mobile are excluded from this promotion” is a soft fee in disguise.
- After deposit, cross-reference your phone bill: pay-monthly users will see the gross amount (£10), even if the net credit was less – proof a deduction occurred at casino level.
Six ways to minimise Pay by Mobile Casino Fees
- Stick to fee-free brands: our Top 5 Pay by Mobile Casinos list tracks fee status monthly.
- Use phone bill for small trial deposits (e.g. £10) to test a casino, then switch to debit or Apple Pay for larger amounts.
- Leverage network promotions: EE and O2 occasionally subsidise Boku fees for partner sites during marketing pushes.
- Time deposits near billing cycle reset so any percentage haircut occurs just before your monthly budget refreshes.
- Hunt for cashback loyalty: some casinos offset carrier costs with 10 % weekly loss cashback (effectively cancelling the fee).
- Compare Siru vs Boku: if one provider deducts a flat £1 and the other takes 15 %, Siru is cheaper below £6.66, Boku cheaper above.
Key Takeaways
- Carrier fees average 10 – 15 %; whether you see them depends on the casino.
- Boku and Fonix deposits are usually fee-free; Siru and PayviaPhone more often deduct.
- Avoid hidden costs by reading cashier previews, bonus terms, and our regularly updated fee tracker.
- If a deduction wasn’t disclosed, escalate through the PSA – the regulator is on the player’s side.
Summary table of pay by phone bill fees and charges
Aspect | Pay-by-Mobile Casino Fees (UK) |
---|---|
Why fees exist | Carriers charge casinos ≈ 10 – 15 % commission for fronting the deposit; operators either absorb, add a flat surcharge, or credit you less. |
How often you pay | Most UK casinos absorb the fee (player sees £0). A minority add £1 flat or deduct ~15 % from the credited amount. |
Typical fee models |
|
Provider cost snapshot |
|
Key warning signs |
|
How to minimise fees |
|
Key takeaways | Carrier fees average 10–15 %; Boku & Fonix deposits are usually fee-free, Siru and PayviaPhone often aren’t. Always read cashier previews and bonus terms to avoid surprise deductions. |
Pay by Phone Casino Fees and Surcharges FAQs

Chris Vaughan is a Senior Writer and Editor at GamblingAuthority. He has more than 18 years of experience in the iGaming industry and has great knowledge of game developers, trending games and casino research.
Read more about the author