Boku Casinos

Boku – An Ideal Deposit Solution for Casual Casino Players

Launched in 2009, Boku is a popular provider of mobile payment services based on carrier billing. It is rapidly emerging as the preferred payment method of recreational online gamblers looking to deposit conveniently and safely by using nothing but their mobile phone numbers. More and more online casinos add Boku as a supported deposit option in their cashiers and unsurprisingly so, given the multiple benefits it offers, including low transaction costs, efficiency, and high levels of security.

• Best Boku Online Casinos
• How the Method Works
• Boku Registration Process
• Video Introduction of Boku
• Depositing
• Withdrawing
• Fees and Limits
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Security
• Conclusion

When it was first created, Boku was limited to several regions only but has greatly expanded its market coverage since then. It presently reaches online casino players from over 60 countries and regions, including the US, Brazil, the UK, and Europe. The method is perfect for casual gamblers playing for nominal amounts as it has a low ceiling on transactions, although the exact limits vary across different mobile carriers.

This detailed article provides valuable information on how Boku works and how to use it for online casino deposits. Additionally, it explores the transaction limits, fees, and security features of Boku. We also weigh the advantages and drawbacks of using this payment solution for online gambling transactions. But before we get to that, let’s have a peek at the best online casinos where you can deposit with Boku.

Pros and Cons of Boku Casinos

Pros:

• Convenient and easy to use
• Ideal for small-scale casino players
• Facilitates free deposits
• Offers 2-step verification
• Suitable for gamblers who mostly play on the go

Cons:

• Unsuitable for high rollers due to low transaction limits
• Unsupported for withdrawals

Best Boku Casinos

Boku is a convenient and easy-to-use payment processor that is immensely well-chosen by players, especially the ones that live in the UK. When compared to other payment processors, Boku offers enhanced security as players do not need to use their bank accounts or link their credit cards in order to use it. Perhaps, the biggest drawback of using Boku is that the amounts players are allowed to add to their accounts per payment and per day are considerably smaller.

If this does not pose an issue to avid casino fans, they might be pleased to know that Boku is accessible at a large number of the UK-oriented interactive casinos. The choice of Boku-friendly online casinos is indeed rich, and these are seven of the worthwhile such platforms.

How the Method Works

Boku has taken the now outdated PSMS technology (Premium Short Message Service) to a whole new level. When the PSMS technology first emerged, its main purpose was to help mobile users purchase ringtones by sending text messages. The technology gradually evolved, allowing app stores and other websites to sell more versatile digital content like music and online games. Boku combined the ease of use of PSMS with the reliability of debit and credit card money transfers, giving casino players the chance to fund their balance with a single tap in their touchscreens.

Proud winner of the 2014 Payment Awards in the Best Alternative Payments category, Boku allows you to make payments via your cellphone, without the need for bank accounts, credit cards or any other type of payment information. Before you are able to top up your casino balance with this method, you must ensure you have signed up for the services of a mobile network operator that works with Boku.

There is a good chance your mobile network operator would support the services of Boku since the latter has established partnerships with 173 mobile carriers which work with customers from more than 51 world markets. Some of the most popular mobile carriers affiliated with Boku include well-known names like Vodafone, T-Mobile, the Japanese NTT DoCoMo, Swisscom, O2, and the Italian telecommunications company TIM, among many, many others.

Boku has gone to great lengths to promote its business by establishing partnerships with large consumer corporations. In 2016, the San Francisco-based company introduced another innovation in the field of mobile payments which was branded as Boku Direct, giving online and mobile gambling operators the opportunity to integrate the company’s mobile billing service directly into their own deposit systems.

The introduction of Boku Direct resulted from the company’s partnerships with major online vendors and app stores like Facebook App, Google Play, Spotify Premium, the Sony PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Windows Store. Microsoft users, for example, were enabled to pay for online purchases from any Windows-based device they choose by connecting their mobile phone numbers to their Microsoft Windows accounts. In a similar fashion, casino players were enabled to make recurring deposits with Boku without having to input their mobile phone numbers each time they initiate transactions.

There is also Boku Checkout, which works in the same manner but is intended for one-time payments since the information concerning the transaction is not stored in the database of the Boku payment portal.

The bottom line is having a cellphone and a mobile plan is all that is needed for a player to use Boku. This mobile billing-based payment solution gives casino players the chance to make smaller deposits whose value is then added to their mobile bills at the end of the month. In its essence, paying with Boku is the same as being charged by your mobile network operator for making a call.

Boku can also be used by players who use prepaid mobile plans. In their case, the deposited sum will be deducted from their available prepaid balance if said balance is sufficient to cover the money transfer. Many small-scale online gamblers would prefer Boku over other available banking options because there are no costs associated with these mobile billing transactions.

Boku Registration Process

Boku is a mobile payment processing company, thanks to which players can pay for goods and services, after which the amount is charged on their phone bill. Thus, all it takes to start using Boku is to own a mobile phone on which the Premium and Carrier Billing services are enabled.

Many players find Boku suitable for their casino-related transactions also because they do not need to link their bank account or own a credit/debit card in order to make use of the payment processor. The payment method also delivers in terms of availability as Boku can be used in more than 70 countries around the globe and is available in 250 mobile networks and counting.

The best thing is that gambling enthusiasts can execute their payments via Boku even if they are using a prepaid or pay-as-you-go phone. If it happens that players do not have enough funds, the payment will merely be declined.

Boku is the world’s largest carrier billing service, and it makes it possible for players to execute payments of up to £10 per transaction. There is also a daily limit of £30 on all payments wrapped up via Boku.

1. Depositing at interactive casinos using Boku is a walk in the park, especially if players already have a UK phone number. The payment solution has its own platform, so the mobile phone number players are using is easily identified by web-based casinos, which guarantees that players will transfer their funds considerably faster.

   When players want to add funds to their accounts via Boku, they should first log into their casino accounts and navigate to its banking page. Thus, they will be able to view all the deposit methods they will be allowed to use.

   

2. Then, they need to select Pay by phone from the list.
   
3. By doing so, gambling aficionados will instantly be taken to Boku’s depositing panel. Now, players will be asked to provide their mobile number.
   
4. After they do so, gambling enthusiasts need to decide how much they wish to upload to the balance of their casino accounts.
   
5. Players should keep in mind that after they confirm the payment, they will be notified via SMS. The preferred amount will only be credited to the balance of their gaming accounts after they follow the link that authorizes the payment.
   
6. Then, players will get confirmation that they have successfully made a transaction, and will be allowed to enjoy the games they have a liking for to their heart’s desire.
   

Boku seeks to offer enhanced security to its users, and because of this, when trying to pay for services or goods through it, players might be taken to the official website of their mobile or Internet provider to complete the transfer of funds.

Video Introduction of Boku

Depositing to Online Casinos

It is no wonder an increasing number of recreational casino players chose to make their deposits with Boku. Making a deposit through this mobile billing platform is but a piece of cake, not to mention it allows you to complete the payment in less than ten seconds. Here is a step-by-step guide on how the entire depositing process works.

When you are ready to make a deposit, go to cashier page and select the ‘Pay by mobile’ option from the list of available deposit options. You will be transferred to Boku’s platform, where you have to submit your mobile phone number and confirm the sum you wish to deposit. You will be sent a text message to which you must reply with “Y” (short for “Yes”) to confirm the transaction.

The text message is sent for security reasons and will cost you nothing. Once the deposit clears through, which should take no more than a minute, Boku will send you a receipt and you can start playing immediately. The deposited amount will be added to your mobile phone bill at the end of your billing cycle.

If perchance your deposit fails to go through for one reason or another, you can get in touch with Boku’s customer support by dialing the number displayed at the end of the authentication text message. The status of Boku transaction is normally confirmed with text messages as well, informing the players whether or not their payment has gone through.

Typically Boku deposits are unsuccessful whenever a player has exhausted their prepaid mobile plan’s credit limit for the respective month. If you are confident this is not the case, you can repeat the steps we listed above to initiate the deposit once again. Players can also keep a better track on the deposits they conduct with Boku by signing up for the method’s customer care portal where they can view the history and status of all previous transactions they have made.

Withdrawing from Online Casinos

As straightforward as it is, Boku falls flat in one respect and it has to do with withdrawals. The system is designed to process payments one way only, which is to be expected since the only way for you to receive your winnings with this method would be for the casino to credit them to your mobile balance and we all know this is impossible.

In other words, Boku can be used for depositing at online casinos but as a mobile billing service is unavailable for withdrawals. The same is, in fact, valid for all other deposit methods of this kind, including Payforit that is also available to players from the UK.

To cash out your casino winnings, you would have to request a bank transfer or have the casino send you a check. Alternatively, you can use a third-party payment service to withdraw your money from the casino, the most popular options being the e-wallets by Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, and PayPal. If you are unsure which alternative withdrawal method is best suited for your needs, you can easily get in touch with your casino’s support team to ask for assistance.

Fees and Limits

Boku has gained traction among small-scale casino players because it enables them to make small deposits at no additional costs. Boku is a very budget friendly service. It has practically no fees or hidden costs. Even the confirmation text message is free. There is no need for Boku to charge players for carrying out their transactions for the simple reason it collects a cut of around 30% from the gambling operators supporting it as a banking option. What this means is if a given player deposits £30 with Boku, their balance will be credited precisely with that amount.

While free, Boku limits you as to the amount you can actually spend daily. The daily limit is set at £30 per mobile number. Even when making payments to different casinos or stores, Boku will recognize the mobile number and block further transfers if the player’s daily deposits exceed £30.

It should be noted that you can only make payments in sums divisible by 10 such as £10, £20, £30, unlike other services which let you deposit sums like £173.50, for example. Respectively, this makes it impossible for players to deposit sums under £10. Additionally, your mobile billing carrier may impose spending restrictions on such services. For this very reason, Boku is unsuited for casino players who are into wagering higher amounts of money per day.

Advantages

Boku is an excellent payment solution when it comes to efficiency and discretion. You do not have to register to use its mobile billing service which cannot be said for alternative payment methods like the e-wallets by PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz where players are expected to undergo registration and verification procedures. The only thing you need when using Boku is your phone number.

Depositing with Boku is incredibly easy, accessible, and everyone can do it. As a matter of fact, this method opens the doors of virtual casinos to a whole new crowd of players who may own mobile phones but have no credit/debit cards or bank accounts. All you need to top up your account with Boku is your mobile phone and a sufficient balance if you are using a prepaid plan. You need not concern yourself with bank accounts, credit cards, bank statements, checks and other inconveniences. Of course, this makes Boku a great method for those who wish to retain their privacy or are skeptical about giving out their bank account or card number to the online casino.

Boku also ranks as one of the most straightforward payment methods out there. Players are not expected to enter any passwords, security codes, or long card numbers and voucher codes as is the case with the method Paysafecard, for instance. If the casino you play at uses the Boku Direct platform, you need to enter your mobile phone number only once and the system will detect it automatically upon subsequent deposits. If you hold accounts at multiple online casinos, your mobile number and smartphone will still get recognized by the Boku Direct system, saving you the hassles of having to enter this information time and time again.

Another positive of using Boku is that you do not have to worry about slipping out of control with your gambling. As was explained in the Fees and Limits section, this mobile billing payment solution restricts your daily casino deposits to the humble amount of £30. Even if you do wish to continue playing after exhausting this amount, you will not be able to process a deposit within the same 24 hours, at least not if you are using Boku.

As part of the mobile payment industry, Boku itself is subjected to very strict regulations which can also be interpreted as a big plus. The company’s operations are overseen by major regulatory authorities like the government-approved UK communications regulator Ofcom (short for Office of Communications), its partner the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA), and the Association for Interactive Media and Micropayments (AIMM).

Boku is incredibly safe, partially because of its small transaction limits. Even if somebody steals your phone and attempts to use it for purchasing with Boku, they will not be able to spend more than £30 within one day. Respectively, you will have a sufficient amount of time to report your phone was stolen and take the necessary measures.

Disadvantages

As convenient as it is, Boku will not appeal to all types of online gamblers. For starters, the spending limit is way too low for anyone who does not play just for fun. Any high rollers would not prefer this payment method over a more liberal one. Depositing in increments of £10 for a daily limit as low as £30 may not even suffice to appease the appetites of some recreational bettors. Many players are willing to overlook the ease of use Boku offers in favor of a payment method that allows for more substantial deposits. Such players are more likely to go for Paysafecard vouchers or register an account with a supported e-wallet.

Some mobile carriers like Vodafone, for example, would allow long-time customers of good standing to increase their spending limits to several hundred upon request. Unfortunately, those who use Boku will have to suffer the £30 daily restrictions even if their mobile carrier has agreed to increase their spending limit for the month. As we already informed readers, the Boku Direct system remembers players’ mobile numbers and phones which helps them initiate deposits with a single tap at many different casinos. On the bad side of things, the system would also recognize you have already reached your £30 daily limits even if you attempt to make a payment with another gambling operator.

The rigid deposit amounts with Boku may also prove to be problematic for some small-scale recreational players. Imagine the following situation – you come across a new online casino and are willing to give it a try by taking advantage of a bonus that requires a minimum deposit of £5. You are reluctant to deposit more than this humble amount because you simply wish to try the casino and see whether it suits your needs. With Boku, you will be unable to process your deposit because it handles payments in batches of £10, £20 or £30 only.

Last but not least, the inability to withdraw funds is a major detriment to people who are actually hoping to make a buck online and cash out their bounty. This is a one-way banking option which does not support withdrawals due to its specifics – you cannot receive your casino winnings via your mobile bill. And indeed, many casino players would prefer to spare themselves from having to search for another method for withdrawals. Such players are likely to give up on the idea of using Boku altogether.

Security

Security is a recurring reason for concern among some casino players, who are unwilling to enter any sensitive financial information that is normally required to initiate a deposit with many of the available payment methods. Such players are recommended to try Boku – the method is considered one of the safest ways of transferring money to one’s casino balance for the simple reason the payments are not linked to a particular credit card or bank account number.

Basically, the only information you input when depositing with Boku is the desired deposit amount and your mobile number, which naturally cannot be used for the purposes of misappropriation and identity theft. The text message confirmation further reduces the chances of a fraudster charging your mobile bill for their own purchases. Even in the event that someone gets a hold of your phone number, they still cannot use that against you, since every transaction must be confirmed via text message from the specific phone number it was issued to.

Furthermore, all information sent to Boku is encrypted and thus made unreadable to prying eyes. In fact, the same applies to the majority of licensed online casinos that accept Boku as a deposit method. They, too, would use high-level encryption technologies and firewalls to protect players and their balances.