Most US sportsbooks do not support direct pay by phone bill deposits.
However, some casino-style platforms may offer limited mobile carrier billing options through services like Boku or Payforit.
As of 2025, no major U.S. sportsbooks (like DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM) offer pay by phone as a deposit method.
This guide covers how pay-by-phone betting works, what to expect from mobile carrier payments, and why availability is still limited.
How does pay-by-phone betting work?
Pay by phone betting lets you fund your account by charging deposits to your monthly phone bill or using prepaid mobile credit.
You don’t need a credit card or bank account; just a phone number.
This method is processed through services like Boku or Payforit, and it's popular in the UK and Australia.
When you make a deposit, the charge shows up on your next mobile phone bill or is deducted from your prepaid balance instantly.
Why isn’t pay by phone available at US sportsbooks?
Pay by phone is not supported by legal US sportsbooks due to strict banking regulations and carrier limitations.
US telecom providers don’t widely allow gambling charges to be added to phone bills.
Most state-regulated sportsbooks also require full identity verification before accepting funds.
Pay by phone doesn’t meet those standards because it doesn't link directly to a bank or traceable payment account.
Until mobile carriers and regulators adjust their policies, pay by phone will likely remain unavailable for legal sports betting in the US.
Pros and cons of pay phone betting
Pros
- ✅ No need to enter banking or card details
- ✅ Fast deposits charged to your phone bill
- ✅ Great for users without a credit card or bank account
- ✅ Added security, no sensitive data shared with the sportsbook
Cons
- ❌ Not available at US sportsbooks as of 2025
- ❌ Usually low deposit limits (often capped at $30–$50)
- ❌ Withdrawals not supported, you'll need a separate method
- ❌ May not qualify for sportsbook bonuses or promos
How to use pay by phone for betting
No, you can’t withdraw funds using pay by phone.
This method only works for deposits and doesn’t support sending money back to your phone account.
To cash out winnings, you’ll need to add a second method, like PayPal, online banking, or a prepaid card.
This split process can be frustrating, especially for users looking for a one-step solution.
Pay by phone vs other payment methods
PayPal: PayPal is accepted by most US sportsbooks and supports both deposits and withdrawals. It’s secure, fast, and easy to link to your bank, something pay by phone can’t match.
Credit/Debit Cards: Cards are widely accepted and familiar, but they require entering sensitive details. Pay by phone offers more privacy, but cards support higher limits and full payouts.
Apple Pay / Google Pay: These digital wallets offer fast, mobile-first deposits and are accepted at some sportsbooks. Like pay by phone, they can’t always be used for withdrawals, but they’re more available in the US.
Bank Transfers / ACH: These are reliable for large transactions and payouts. While they aren’t instant, they offer full account access. Pay by phone is faster for deposits, but doesn’t support withdrawals at all.
Best sportsbooks in the US
Mobile betting may not be available on American sportsbooks, but that doesn't stop us from offering up the best sports betting sites.
Below is our list of top sportsbooks compared for their most important features.
Frequently asked questions
How to gamble responsibly on betting sites
Before we end this article, we need to caution you to always bet responsibly.
To ensure you’re being cautious, betting sites implement various responsible gambling practices that will help you keep your betting habits in check.
Limits: Sportsbooks allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site. This prevents you from spending all of your winnings. There’s also the option for early cashout, so you can still get paid if the bet is starting to go sideways.
Help & resources: Betting sites provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Responsible gambling organizations and charities in the US
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
References
To test betting sites accurately, we dive into analytical research of the gambling industry, to understand what features are best for you.
Below are the references we use when making these decisions:
https://wsb.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Beggy_2023__Betting_Kelly.pdf
https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2024/01/stephen-shapiro-sports-gambling.php
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
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Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.