Table of Contents
- What is Pay by Phone, and How does it Work?
- Benefits of Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
- Drawbacks of Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
- How to Use Pay by Phone to Deposit at Bingo Sites
- How to Use Pay by Phone to Withdraw at Bingo Sites
- Processing Times, Fees, Limits, and Unique Features at Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
- Summary
- Pay by Phone Bingo Sites FAQ
What is Pay by Phone, and How does it Work?
Pay by Phone is a convenient mobile billing system that allows you to pay through your phone. This payment method charges your deposits to your phone bills, not your bank account. The payment process connects to your phone network provider and gets charged as part of your phone bill. Users are billed for all transactions at the next phone bill cycle. With a PAYG (Pay-as-you-go) package, the amount will simply be deducted from your balance.
Pay by Phone is extremely convenient and fast. You won’t have to worry about a hanging payment as it is very effective. Your phone service provider will manage all transactions. Within the UK, the Pay by Phone payment method is supported by Boku and Payforit. You can pay this way if you’re on any of the UK’s major mobile networks – EE, O2, Vodafone or Three.
Benefits of Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
Simple to Use
There is no account creation needed to use this method. You also don’t enter any long card numbers. If you have a UK phone number, that’s all you need to process a transaction.
Play Now, Pay Later
When using the contract billing method, you’re basically playing on credit. You can enjoy all your favourite games now and pay at the end of the month.
Highly Secure
The payment process is extremely secure and requires no personal information or details besides your phone number. A verification code is used to ensure each transaction is unique and safeguarded.
Fast and Free Transactions
Depositing with this method is very fast. You will be credited right away so you can begin playing your favourite games. Pay by Phone billing is also free to use. Pay by Phone bingo sites have no added charges besides the deposit amount.
Convenience
It’s the most convenient way to pay when you play on mobile. It’s also great for monitoring your gambling expenses through payment message alerts or the end-of-the-month billing document.
Drawbacks of Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
Only for Deposits
Pay by Phone is available for deposits alone. It does not support withdrawals. So you’ll have to use some other payment method to cash out.
Supports Only Small Transactions
You won’t be able to make large deposits as Pay by Phone billing only supports small transactions at a time. It’s convenient for casual players but not suitable for high rollers.
Not Available at all Bingo Sites
This payment method is not as common as a debit card or PayPal. So not all bingo sites will provide this option, and those who do may have certain restrictions.
How to Use Pay by Phone to Deposit at Bingo Sites
To make a deposit using Pay by Phone, ensure your bingo operator and phone provider support the service. If they both support the payment option, then simply follow these steps:
- Sign up at any of the best bingo sites that accept Pay by Phone billing
- Navigate to the deposit page on your account
- Select the Pay by Phone option
- Input your mobile number and any other required detail
- Approve the transaction and verify it
One of two verification methods will occur depending on your phone service provider. A verification code is sent to your phone, which you will input on the site to authorise the payment. Or a USSD text is sent to your phone, which you must reply with a verification acceptance.
How to Use Pay by Phone to Withdraw at Bingo Sites
Withdrawals are not supported for Pay by Phone, even if some UK bingo sites claim to offer it. Bingo players will need to choose another option to withdraw their funds. Luckily most Pay by Phone sites will also provide a list of other popular payment methods.
Processing Times, Fees, Limits, and Unique Features at Pay by Phone Bingo Sites
The processing time for Pay by Phone deposits is usually within seconds. The only delay that might arise for players using a PAYG billing plan is if your phone lacks sufficient funds. The processing time will be immediate for players with a contract billing plan.
You’ll be pleased to know that Pay by Phone has no hidden fees or charges. However, certain bingo site operators may have fees attached to transactions carried out through this payment method. Be sure to explore the terms and conditions of your service provider and bingo site beforehand.
A deposit limit is usually imposed on all third-party phone payment transactions as defined by the Payment Services Regulation 2017. The UK law states that a maximum of £40 for a single transaction and £240 in a month is allowed for third-party payment charged to a phone bill. Individual bingo sites may apply smaller for this payment method. Bear in mind that such low deposit limits may affect your chances of maximising all of the welcome bingo bonuses given on the site.
Summary
Pay by Phone is a simple and convenient way to fund your account on a bingo site. The process is safe, secure, and quick, but there are several limitations too. Not all UK providers offer this service. It’s only available for deposits and supports small transactions.
Ultimately, it’s a perfect fit for players who prefer making small bets and are content with the minimum limits of the bonus. Since one of our top tips for new players is to start with small bets, this is also a great payment method for first-time players at new bingo sites.
Pay by Phone Bingo Sites FAQ
Can I use Pay by Phone to claim a bingo welcome bonus?
Yes, you can claim a welcome bonus using Pay by Phone. However, this payment method only accepts small deposits at a time, meaning you may not be able to claim the highest bonus value possible.
What other options do I have if my phone service provider does not offer Pay by Phone payments?
If your service provider does not offer the Pay by Phone payment service, you can change your phone service provider or choose other payment methods available on your bingo site. PayPal, Skrill, bank transfers and debit cards are popular alternatives.
Are there fees for Pay by Phone transactions?
The Pay by Phone service is usually free with no hidden fees. However, make sure to confirm this with the bingo operator, as some sites may charge a fee for phone billing transactions.