Pay by mobile casino troubleshooting guide (UK 2025)
Pay by mobile casino deposits should take 30 seconds, yet “Error 4,” “Payment declined,” or a silent time-out can stop play before it starts. This pay by mobile casino troubleshooting guide will take you through the common errors and fixes. This page groups every common Pay-by-Mobile service, Boku, Fonix, Siru, PayviaPhone and generic Payforit error, explains what it means, and tells you exactly how to fix it. We also include a quick flowchart for network spend-cap issues on EE, O2, Vodafone and Three.
60-second checklist for pay by mobile casino deposit issues
- Switch off Wi-Fi → force mobile data so header-enrichment detects your number.
- Check airtime balance / spend cap → you need the full deposit amount + carrier fee headroom.
- Look for a pending SMS → many “fails” are just unconfirmed PIN or “Y” replies sitting in your inbox.
- Is premium billing barred? → text
UNBARto your network shortcode (EE: 150, O2: 2020, Voda: 97613, Three: 83030). - Try £5 instead of £10 → proves whether the cap, not the rail, is the blocker.
Universal error codes and fixes for pay by mobile casino deposits issues
| Code / Message | What It Means | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Error 4 – “Insufficient balance” | Airtime credit or spend cap is lower than the deposit. | Top-up PAYG, or raise spend cap in My EE/O2/Voda/Three. |
| Error 23 – “Premium service barred” | Your SIM is blocked from Payforit charges (often new contracts). | Text UNBAR to network shortcode or call customer care. |
| “Payment time-out” | The SMS confirmation window (≈10 min) expired. | Restart deposit; reply “Y” or enter PIN promptly. |
| “Token mismatch / invalid session” | You changed browser tab before PIN entry. | Keep the payment tab active; retry deposit. |
Provider-specific fix lists for pay by phone bill casino errors
Boku
- Error 4 – see table above; 95 % of Boku fails.
- Error 32 – “MSISDN blocked” – number previously charged back → contact Boku support to unblock.
- No SMS received – disable Wi-Fi Calling and resend; or text “START” to the Boku shortcode 65065.
Fonix (“Pay by Mobile” button)
- Error 9001 – “Carrier rejection” – spend cap or premium bar active → lift in network app.
- Blank white screen after number entry – ad-blocker kills the redirect → whitelist casino domain.
Siru Mobile
- Immediate hang-up, no credit – call confirmation failed; ensure caller ID is enabled.
- Error 402 – “Too many transactions” – exceeded hourly Siru micro-limit (£15) → wait 60 min.
PayviaPhone
- Error 604 – “Invalid shortcode” – handset SMS centre outdated → reboot phone or resend SMS manually to shortcode 84988.
- PIN loop – browser caching old token; clear cookies or open in incognito.
Why did a Pay by Mobile deposit fail or not go through?
If your deposit didn’t complete, first check that you have enough phone credit or an active contract. Pay by mobile won't work if your balance is too low or your mobile plan doesn’t allow premium charges. Make sure your mobile service is active and that you're using a UK-supported network like EE, O2, Vodafone, or Three.
Why you did not receive an SMS confirmation for my casino deposit
If you don’t get a verification text, it will be due to a blocked premium SMS setting on your device or network. Check your device settings to allow premium texts and confirm the number entered during deposit is correct. If needed, contact your network to ensure SMS billing isn’t restricted.
Why were you charged on your phone bill but received no casino credit?
If you did not receive casino credit after making a phone bill deposit, this will be a processing delay. If your phone bill shows the charge but your casino balance hasn't changed, contact the casino’s support team with the payment time and amount. Also contact your mobile network to confirm the charge was sent through and request an investigation if needed.
What are the deposit limits for Pay by Mobile casinos?
Pay by phone bill enforces limits like £10 minimum per deposit and a £240 monthly cap. If your deposit failed, it could be due to hitting one of these limits. Check both the casino’s and your network’s daily or monthly thresholds before trying again.
Could a technical issue be causing the failed payment?
Yes. Browser glitches, app bugs, or outdated software can interrupt transactions. Try refreshing the casino page, restarting your device, or clearing your browser cache. If the problem persists, switch devices or browsers to isolate the issue.
What should I check on my phone when a deposit doesn’t work?
Look for texts from your mobile provider or the payment gateway. Sometimes your network will send alerts if a payment is blocked or if there's a premium SMS issue. Also review your casino account dashboard for any error messages or pending transactions.
Who should I contact if Pay by Mobile doesn’t work?
Start with the casino’s support team. Provide your phone number, the time of the transaction, and the deposit amount. If they don’t see the payment, contact your mobile network’s billing team with your phone bill details and ask if the charge went through or was blocked.
What if Pay by Mobile keeps failing?
If the problem continues, consider using another payment method like debit cards, PayPal, or e-wallets. These offer more reliable deposit processing and easier refund mechanisms. Also monitor your spend since phone charges can stack up quickly.
How can I keep my Pay by Mobile deposits under control?
Keep track of how much you’ve deposited via your phone bill, especially if using Boku or similar services. Use the casino’s deposit limit settings or consider self-exclusion tools if gambling habits become difficult to manage.
What’s the best way to resolve Pay by Mobile issues quickly?
Act fast by gathering your transaction records, phone bill screenshots, and support ticket IDs. Use both casino and mobile operator channels. If you're getting no resolution, escalate the issue to dispute resolution bodies or the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).
Pay by mobile casino troubleshooting summary table
| Problem | Possible Cause | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit fails | Low credit or exceeded limits | Check balance and limits, retry |
| No SMS confirmation | Blocked premium SMS or typo | Enable premium SMS, verify number |
| Charged but no casino credit | Processing delay or failure | Contact casino and phone provider |
| Technical errors | Browser/device issues | Clear cache, restart, switch browser |
| Unsupported network | Not all networks support pay by mobile | Switch to a supported provider |
| Exceeded deposit cap | Daily/monthly limit reached | Reduce amount or wait to retry |
This guidance is based on verified reports from casino players and current UK mobile billing rules. If none of these steps solve the issue, you may escalate through the casino’s complaints process or file a case with PSA or the Communications Ombudsman.
Network spend-cap flowchart for pay by mobile casino errors and fixes
Below is a flowchart, showing clearly the path to follow for troubleshooting when pay by mobile phone bill payments fail.
When to escalate a pay by phone bill casino deposit error
You should escalate a pay by phone bill casino deposit error after checking the following three points:
- Three consecutive declines with correct balance/spend cap.
- SMS confirms but casino never credits within 5 minutes.
- Charge appears on phone bill but balance not credited.
First contact casino live-chat for a payment reference ID, then raise a ticket with the provider (Boku/Fonix/Siru) quoting that ID. If unresolved after 48 h, escalate to your mobile operator’s premium-services team; final stop is the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).
Need more help? See our Fees & Surcharges guide or Withdrawal FAQ.
Last updated: May 2025.
Pay-by-Mobile Troubleshooting 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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