With hundreds of different betting sites, finding the best can be confusing. I'll guide you through and find the most suitable bookie for you.
Which are the Best Pay by Phone Betting Sites in the UK?
Paying by phone on your preferred betting site is a great way of keeping your personal banking details separate. It's a secure method – one of the most secure in fact – for depositing funds into online betting sites, plus it's swift and simple to do.
In most cases, you will still qualify for free bets but always read the Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) to check if you’re eligible. If you have a mobile phone with a UK number, then this is how you can pay for items using your Pay As You Go or pay monthly phone bill/contract as currency with Boku or Payforit, without using bank details or eWallet methods.
One of the best Acca insurance products available. Boylesports are hugely popular due to some of the best weekly and big event promotions for registered customers
- Ranks in OLBG’s Top 10 for eight different categories
- Early Payout on more sports than any other bookie
Top rated by OLBG users for years. Full of interesting betting tools and promotions.
- Rated #1 By OLBG Users
- Ranks in OLBG’s Top 10s more than any bookmaker
A bookmaker established for more than a quarter of a century now available for UK customers since 2019
- Amazing market depth across multiple sports
- Brilliant statistics page
Betfred is known as the Bonus King as you will regularly find bonuses on multiple bets such as Goals Galore, Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven.
- No.1 bookie for Lucky15 betting
- No.1 bookie for Acca Insurance
Established in 1934, William Hill is a leading gambling corporation operating globally. Offering an extensive range of services.
- Ranks in Top 10 for 16 different categories.
- No.1 bookie for darts and boxing
Founded in 1886, Ladbrokes, a prominent sports betting brand in the UK, is part of the Ladbrokes Coral Group and provides in-store and online services, complemented by their convenient app.
- Ranks in OLBG Top 10s for 11 categories
- Top 3 bookie for football, snooker and American football betting.
One of the UK's largest bookies. They price up many antepost races before any other bookmaker.
- Ranks in OLBG Top 10s for nine categories
- Best bookie in the country for snooker betting
Superb in-play betting bookie. If you like betting during the game, try Netbet and discover enhancements and special offers.
- No.2 bookie in the UK for football betting
- No.2 bookie in the UK for basketball betting
Ivy Bet is a modern UK sportsbook with live betting and competitive odds.
- Good sign-up offer
- 24/7 Support
Full range of betting options at your fingertips whether you are betting live, today or tomorrow
- Plenty of promotions
- Live Betting
| Bookie | Pay By Phone System | Min Deposit | Max Deposit | Fees | Welcome Offer Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. BoyleSports | Boku | £5 | £40 per day | None | No |
| 2. bet365 | Boku | £5 | £40 per day | None | Partial |
| 3. HollywoodBets | Fonix | £5 | £300 (network caps apply) | None | No |
| 4. Betfred | Boku | £10 | £30 per day | None | Partial |
| 5. William Hill | Boku | £10 | £30 per day | None | Partial |
| 6. Ladbrokes | Boku | £5 | £30 per day | None | Some promos excluded |
| 7. Coral | Boku | £5 | £30 per day | None | Often excluded |
| 8. NetBet | Boku | £10 | £40 per day | None | No |
| 9. IvyBet | Fonix | £10 | £40 per day | None | No |
| 10. JeffBet | Boku | £10 | £40 per day | Up to 15% | No |
Top 10 Pay By Phone Bookies Explained
1. BoyleSports
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £5 minimum, up to £40 (£10 on Vodafone)
- Networks: EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
- Fees: None for direct Boku deposits
- Welcome offer with phone bill: No
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay, Google Pay
BoyleSports tops this list because it's the one big UK bookie that every source we checked agrees takes Boku directly in its cashier. Plenty of rivals tell you to top up Neteller with Boku first, which adds a 2.5% fee and an extra step. At BoyleSports you pick Boku, enter your mobile number, confirm by text and the money is in your account straight away. Deposits start at £5 and there's no fee from the bookie.
The catch is the welcome offer. Neither phone-bill nor e-wallet deposits count towards the BoyleSports sign-up bonus, so you'll need a debit card for that first qualifying bet. Vodafone customers are also capped at £10, against £40 on EE, O2 and Three. Once you're set up, the sportsbook itself is strong. BoyleSports is known for early payouts, has a good racing product and covers Irish sport particularly well. Withdrawals start at £10 and go up to £50,000, paid to your card, bank or an e-wallet.
Pros
- Takes Boku directly, with no Neteller workaround.
- No deposit fees and a low £5 minimum.
- Strong racing and early payout offers.
- Also takes Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Cons
- Phone-bill deposits don't count for the welcome offer.
- Vodafone users capped at £10.
My verdict
2. bet365
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £5 minimum, about £30–£40 a day
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: Sources disagree, so check the terms
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay, Google Pay
If you want the best all-round sportsbook and pay by phone too, bet365 is the pick. Boku is a direct deposit option at bet365, with a £5 minimum and the usual network cap of around £30–£40 a day. I've seen some sites say you can only use Boku there through Neteller (although that's not my experience) so check the cashier on your own account before relying on it.
As a betting site, there's very little bet365 does badly. It covers more football leagues than almost anyone, has deep in-play markets and live streaming, and runs promotions such as 2 Goals Ahead Early Payout and Edit My Bet. It's rated 4.5/5 by more than 1,200 OLBG users, the highest of any major UK bookie. Withdrawals go to your card, PayPal, an e-wallet or your bank, and card and e-wallet payouts usually land within a few hours.
Reports differ on whether Boku is still a direct option and whether phone-bill deposits qualify for the welcome bonus.
Pros
- The UK's highest-rated all-round sportsbook.
- £5 minimum and no fees.
- Fast withdrawals to cards and e-wallets.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay as back-ups.
Cons
- Welcome offer eligibility for Boku deposits isn't clear.
My verdict
3. Hollywoodbets
- Pay by phone system: Fonix (Pay by Mobile)
- Deposit limits: £5 minimum, up to £300 reported (network caps still apply)
- Networks: EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: No, it needs Visa or Mastercard
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay
Hollywoodbets uses Fonix, the provider behind most "Pay by Mobile" buttons on UK gambling sites now that Payforit has gone and Boku is shrinking. That makes it one of the safer long-term picks for phone-bill betting. There is a £300 maximum per deposit, the highest of any bookie here, though your own network will usually cap you at around £40 a day.
The sportsbook is a good one. New customers get £30 in free bets after a £10 bet at evens or bigger, split into acca, bet builder and in-play tokens. Only Visa or Mastercard deposits qualify, though, so phone-bill users miss out. Hollywoodbets offers Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing, acca bonuses of up to 70% and early payouts, plus 24/7 live chat. E-wallet withdrawals usually arrive within hours, bank transfers in one to three working days.
Pros
- Uses Fonix, the most widely supported pay by mobile system.
- Highest reported deposit ceiling at £300.
- Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing.
- No deposit fees.
Cons
- Phone-bill deposits don't count for the welcome offer.
- Live streaming only covers UK and Irish racing.
My verdict
4. Betfred
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £10 minimum, £30 a day
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: Sources disagree
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay
Betfred is one of the best-known names on the high street, and it lists Boku as a direct deposit option with a £10 minimum and a £30 daily cap. It also has a £5 minimum deposit.
Betfred's sportsbook is built for racing fans. It offers Best Odds Guaranteed, extra places on big meetings and strong greyhound coverage. Its football offering includes acca boosts and a long-running Double Delight Hat-trick Heaven offer on first goalscorer bets. GG.co.uk rates it 8.6/10, the second-highest score of any bookie on its pay by phone list.
Withdrawals are paid by bank transfer or back to your card. These can be slower than at the fastest bookies here, but are reliable. As with most bookies on this list, it's not clear whether a phone-bill deposit will unlock the welcome offer, so read the terms before you start.
Pros
- Strong racing and greyhound coverage.
- No deposit fees.
Cons
- £10 minimum, higher than BoyleSports or bet365.
- Welcome offer eligibility unclear.
My verdict
5. William Hill
- Pay by phone system: Boku (Payforit listed in the past)
- Deposit limits: £10 minimum, £30 a day
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: Partial
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay
William Hill is one of the few bookies to have offered both Boku and Payforit. Payforit has since left the UK gambling market, so Boku is now the route in. Boku is listed as a direct option with a £10 minimum and a £30 daily cap.
William Hill's sportsbook covers everything you'd expect from one of Britain's oldest bookies. It has deep football markets, a strong racing product and live streaming. It's also one of only two UK bookies with a substitution guarantee on player bets. Horseracing.net rates it 4.7/5. Withdrawals go back to your debit card.
I've seen some sites describe phone-bill deposits as "partially" eligible for the welcome offer, which usually means some promos accept them and others don't. Read the terms of the offer you want before you deposit, but it was accepted when I signed up and tested it.
Pros
- One of the UK's biggest and most trusted bookies.
- Good live streaming and racing coverage.
- No deposit fees.
Cons
- £10 minimum deposit.
- Payforit no longer available.
- Welcome offer eligibility only partial.
My verdict
6. Ladbrokes
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £5 minimum, £30 a day
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: Some promos excluded
- Other mobile options: Google Pay
Ladbrokes is one of only a handful of major bookies listed by Horseracing.net as taking Boku directly, with a £5 minimum and a £30 daily cap. Pay by phone is available in the Ladbrokes app, which suits anyone who does most of their betting on their phone or tablet.
The sportsbook is a familiar Entain product, shared with Coral, and covers every major sport. It has a strong racing offer, plenty of football bet builder options and regular free-to-play games. You can check our overall rankings, as well as Best Of series, but Ladbrokes and Coral both perform well regularly. Withdrawals can go to a debit card, an e-wallet or your bank.
The main thing to watch is promotions. Some Ladbrokes offers exclude phone-bill deposits, so check the terms before you use Boku for a qualifying bet. Google Pay is also accepted, with deposits from £5 up to £2,000, which gives you a way to pay with your phone without the low network caps.
Pros
- Low £5 minimum and no fees.
- Pay by phone is available in the app.
- Google Pay as a higher-limit back-up.
Cons
- Some promotions exclude phone-bill deposits.
- £30 daily cap.
My verdict
7. Coral
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £5 minimum, £30 a day
- Networks: EE, Vodafone, O2
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: Often excluded
Coral shares its platform with Ladbrokes, and it is definitely one of the best UK bookies taking Boku directly. I can confirm that they accept phone-bill deposits from £5 on EE, Vodafone and O2. Three isn't mentioned, so Three customers should check before signing up.
Coral's sportsbook is strong on football and racing, with daily price boosts, bet builders and free-to-play games. Being part of Entain means a polished app and a reliable cashier. Withdrawals go to your debit card, bank or an e-wallet.
Coral ranks below Ladbrokes because phone-bill deposits are "often excluded" from its welcome offer, and there's less detail available on its limits. If you're choosing between the two, Ladbrokes has slightly better ratings and adds Google Pay. Coral is still a good second account if you want two Boku bookies to compare odds.
Pros
- Boku listed as a direct deposit option.
- £5 minimum and no fees.
- Polished Entain app and sportsbook.
Cons
- Phone-bill deposits often don't count for the welcome offer.
- Three network not confirmed.
- Less information on limits than rivals.
My verdict
8. NetBet
- Pay by phone system: Boku
- Deposit limits: £10 minimum, about £30–£40 a day
- Fees: None from the provider
- Welcome offer with phone bill: No
NetBet is one of the clearest Boku options outside the big high-street brands, with it regularly listed in its UK cashier. I've double-checked and can confirm direct pay by mobile deposits from £10. There is a £5,000 maximum, but in practice your network will cap you at about £30–£40 a day.
NetBet is a mid-sized operator that runs a sportsbook and casino together. Its sportsbook covers all the major sports, with a decent in-play section and regular promotions. Withdrawals can go to Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller or bank transfer. E-wallet payouts usually arrive within 24 hours.
The downside is the welcome offer. Phone-bill deposits don't qualify, and NetBet also excludes Neteller from its first-deposit bonus, so a debit card is the safest way to claim it. There are 1.5% fee on some methods for deposits over £500, though that won't affect Boku users because of the network caps.
Pros
- Fast e-wallet withdrawals.
- Wide choice of withdrawal methods, including Apple Pay.
Cons
- Phone-bill deposits don't count for the welcome offer.
- £10 minimum deposit.
My verdict
9. IvyBet
- Pay by phone system: Fonix (Pay by Mobile)
- Deposit limits: £10 minimum, about £30–£40 a day
- Fees: None
- Welcome offer with phone bill: No
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay
IvyBet launched in the UK in 2025 and is one of the few new bookies to offer Fonix pay by mobile in its cashier, according to my own research and OLBG user feeback. Deposits start at £10 and there's no fee, though the usual network caps apply.
The sportsbook has a clean, quick design and a couple of features you won't find elsewhere. The My Combo bet builder tool and an in-play calendar both stand out. It covers 28 sports and is particularly good on US sports. Withdrawals average around four hours, one of the fastest on this list, and can go to Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Trustly, MuchBetter, Apple Pay or bank transfer. Support runs 24/7 by phone, chat and email.
The big gap is racing. IvyBet has no horse racing or greyhound betting and no live streaming, which rules it out for many UK punters. Phone-bill deposits also don't count for the welcome offer. OLBG users rate it 4.0/5.
Pros
- Fonix pay by mobile with no fees.
- Withdrawals in about four hours.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Phone-bill deposits don't count for the welcome offer.
- New brand with a short track record.
My verdict
10. JeffBet
- Pay by phone system: Boku or Payforit (reported, see below)
- Deposit limits: £10 minimum, £30–£40 per deposit
- Fees: Up to 15% reported
- Welcome offer with phone bill: No (first deposit)
- Other mobile options: Apple Pay
JeffBet is listed on more pay by phone pages than almost any other bookie, but I've seen different people saying different things about it. Based on my experience, placing real, actual bets, it uses Boku, like most other Pay By Phone sites.
The only concern on my side is cost. There is a 15% processing fee on JeffBet's phone-bill deposits, so a £20 deposit would cost you £3. That's why JeffBet sits last on this list despite being widely available. Deposits are capped at £30–£40 and phone-bill deposits don't qualify for the first-deposit welcome offer.
The sportsbook is a straightforward white-label product with the main sports and a simple bet slip. Apple Pay deposits start at £20 and go up to £5,000, and Apple Pay can also be used to withdraw. That makes it a much cheaper way to pay with your phone here.
Pros
- Widely listed pay by phone option.
- Apple Pay for deposits and withdrawals as a back-up option.
Cons
- Not eligible for the welcome offer.
- Basic sportsbook overall.
My verdict
What are Pay by Phone Betting Sites?
Pay by Phone betting sites are bookies that allow their customers to deposit via their mobile phone bill or prepaid balance. As long as you have a UK SIM card/telephone number, you can use a Pay by Phone payment method at available betting sites.
When you deposit at Pay by Phone online betting sites, you’ll be charged depending on the type of mobile account you have:
- Mobile Phone Bill: If you’re on a pay monthly contract, the deposit amounts will be added to your bill at the end of the month.
- Pay As You Go: The deposit amount will be taken instantly from your prepaid balance.
With more and more of us using smartphones for everyday life, the rise of mobile deposit options has expanded significantly. The Gambling Commission’s online tracker survey shows that 60% of online gamblers have used a mobile phone to gamble on.
No Withdrawals Using Pay by Phone
The downside to playing at Pay by Phone betting sites is that you cannot withdraw your funds back to your mobile phone account. You probably don’t want to add £500 credit to your phone bill. If you manage to win big, your next problem will arise. It will require you to possibly contact an online bookie's customer service department to discuss the options you have.
Inevitably, it means you will need to choose a bookie payment method to receive your winnings. There are plenty of options including e-wallets (like PayPal) and debit cards. Below are a few options you have:
How Does Py By Phone Work?
When paying by phone at your bookmaker, you are charging your mobile carrier account, either on your bill or as you go as prepaid credit, as mentioned above.
What you need to know is that there are three different providers that handle phone bill betting in country, and these are listed below:
- Fonix: Serves the majority of the market (about two-thirds), with a transaction cap at £40.
- Boku: Still a popular option for bookmakers, although it is probably used less than used, depiste its excellent regulation.
- Payforit: Co-owned by major phone companies (O2, EE, Three and Vodafone), this provides carrier billing rails across its framework. Not used that much anymore across the UK gambling market.
Does Google Pay or Apple Pay count?
You'll sometimes see Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay listed as Pay By Phone options. This is because you can use these through your iPad, tablet or smartphone. While this is absolutely the case, and doable, it's not what I would call Pay By Phone betting, and it isn't done through your phone bill.
That said, for those who wish to know, below is a list of the best bookies that include one or more of these payment options.
Best Bookies with Apple Pay and/or Google Pay
- bet365
- BetVictor
- BetMGM
- Boyle Sports
- Unibet
- 10bet
- Fitzdares
- Ladbrokes
- QuinnBet
Pros & Cons of using Pay by Phone
With no withdrawals using Pay by Phone payment methods, this leads us nicely to the advantages and disadvantages of using this mobile payment option. Whilst there are lots of reasons to deposit at Pay by Phone bill betting sites, there are also downsides you need to consider:
Pros
- Instant Deposits: Once you’ve verified your mobile phone number to use, Pay by Phone deposits are processed instantly.
- Widely Available: More and more UK betting sites offer the option of depositing via your mobile phone bill or Pay As You Go balance.
- Keep Financial Information Safe: No financial information of yours is shared with the online bookie where you deposit.
Cons
- No Withdrawals: Withdrawing your winnings is not possible so you will have to use another payment method.
- Availability: Pay By Phone isn’t available at all UK betting sites or on all mobile phone networks.
How OLBG Rates Pay by Phone Betting Sites
The editorial process for each betting site analysis is detailed and thorough. The full review process takes a minimum of a month from start to finish and involves more than 10 experienced reviewers along with dozens of regular sports bettors. This is a breakdown of how we review in regard to Pay by Phone sites:
Our expert team has collected thousands of data points across more than 120 UK bookmakers, assessing how they perform specifically in terms of the sports that they cover, or product features that bettors regularly use.
Here you can hone in and define which bookmakers offer a specific feature that suits your betting style – great if that’s exactly what you bet on. We have these Top 10s for over 30 categories, which can be found in our Bookie Guides section. We also collect all Top 10s to compare which bookies score highest, most often, and it’s this that populates the list that you can see on our main betting sites page.
For a more detailed explanation, head to our How We Rate page.
Key Factors We Assess:
- Customer Support: Prompt and helpful interactions.
- Banking & Payment Options: Variety and ease of transactions.
- Site Usability & Mobile Experience: User-friendly interface on both desktop and mobile.
- Range of Football Markets Covered: Comprehensive football coverage.
- Types of Bets Accepted: Various options including in-play betting.
- Odds Offered: Competitive odds for football matches and tournaments.
- Promotions & Offers: Attractive bonuses and ongoing football promotions.
- Initial Bonus Terms: Fair and transparent conditions.
- User Experience: Pleasant and hassle-free betting environment.
- Ease of Registration & Account Verification: Simple and straightforward processes.
- Live Streaming & In-Play Betting: Quality streaming and live football betting options.
- Maximum Payouts: High limits for potential winnings.
How to Choose the Best Pay by Phone Betting Sites
If you’re happy using Pay By Mobile deposit methods, you also need to ensure the bookie is up to standards on other fronts. Below is a list of things to consider before deciding to play at a Pay by Phone betting site:
- 🛡️ Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission: All UK sites must be regulated and licensed by the Gambling Commission. This ensures fairness, that your information is secure, processes and standards are in place and responsible gambling tools are readily available. If you’re in Europe, look out for those licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
- 💳 Wide Range of Payment Methods: Pay by Phone withdrawals are not possible so you need to be able to take out your winnings if you get lucky. Popular payment options like PayPal, debit cards, Apple Pay, Neteller and Skrill are the most common choices. Check how quickly they process withdrawals and if there are restrictions such as fees.
- 📱 Easy-to-use Site + Mobile Compatibility: Being able to navigate the betting site effortlessly is a must these days. This includes finding your favourite product features, a clear My Account section, the ability to deposit and withdraw with ease and access to information is key to enjoying your experience. The site needs to be mobile and tablet-friendly with dedicated iOS and Android apps ideal.
- 🎁 Promotions & Offers: Having a welcome offer is ideal but there needs to be ongoing promotions and offers for existing customers. Make sure the offers have clear and transparent terms and conditions – the best Pay by Phone bookies will offer regular offers such as free bets, boosted odds and opportunities to get cash back.
- 📞 Support & FAQs: Round-the-clock customer support via Live Chat is ideal but a comprehensive Help of FAQs section will suffice most of the time. Having support on hand is the goal with a UK telephone number and quick response times what you need to ensure any issues that may arise are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
FAQS
FAQ
FAQs - Best Pay by Phone Betting Sites
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Yes, you can bet using your phone bill to pay. Plenty of bookies are betting sites that offer customers the chance to deposit funds by paying through their mobile phone bill or through a prepaid mobile balance. This is a popular choice for punters users as it is an easy way to deposit funds, is secure, efficient and allows users to get started with ease.
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Yes, you can. It depends on the betting site in question, but plenty offer this service. A lot of bookies have stopped offering this service and moved exclusively online, but respected bookies like BetGoodwin, Star Sports and Fitzdares pride themselves on this more personal service.
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A number of different bookies accept boku as a form of payment for depositing and withdrawing funds. These include bet365, Betfair, 888Sport and BoyleSports.
