Pay by Mobile Fees & Surcharges: Complete UK Guide (2025)
Pay by mobile 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?
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.
Typical Pay by Phone Bill Fee Structures
| 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 |
Provider-by-Provider Pay by Phone 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.
How to Spot a Pay by Phone Bill 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
- 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 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 |
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| Provider cost snapshot |
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| Key warning signs |
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| How to minimise fees |
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| 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.
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