Boku Betting Sites: Pros and Con
- No bank account needed
- Pay from your phone bill
- No fees at sportsbooks
How does Boku work
If you are looking for Boku bookmakers, then you’ll need to start by knowing how it all works. This part is pretty simple because when you pay using Boku, the deposits you make get charged to your phone bill. This means that you are not sharing your details with an operator and there is not even any need to have a bank account. This makes it very flexible as almost everyone has a mobile phone. Boku is available to many countries including:
- UK
- US
- Australia
- Canada
- India
- New Zealand
I’ve found you’ll need a mobile contract to use this, which might be a stumbling block for some, but the biggest downside is that you can’t use this method for withdrawals.
Is Boku safe to use?
While this might be a problem, you won’t have to worry about security. As this payment method works via mobile, you won’t be sharing your card or bank details, and this means nothing will show on your bank statements. All transactions also need to be verified by you on your phone, so you have that peace of mind as well.
How does Boku compare with alternative methods?
There’s no doubt that Boku is convenient, but how does it compare to other, more established payment methods? I’ve created a quick ‘ready reckoner’ below so you can see what Boku has going for it, and where it falls down.
| Payment method | Pros vs Boku | Cons vs Boku |
| Trustly | Withdrawals possible | Bank account needed |
| Debit Cards | More widely accepted | Activity shows on statements |
| Skrill | Available without a phone | Hardly ever eligible for bonuses |
| Credit cards | Usable almost everywhere | Potentially higher fees |
| EcoPayz | Can store funds | Bank account or credit card needed |
Check out these top bookmakers
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Boku facts – what you need to know
- Boku and fees –
As well as convenience, Boku also scores highly when it comes to fees. Although they are nowhere near as common as the
best debit card betting sites, the Boku bookmakers I have looked at charge no extra bookmaker fees for depositing this way. However, you will need to read the small print of your phone contract to see what the score is there.
- Boku and welcome bonuses –
Again, with so few Boku betting sites around, this is impossible to judge. What I will say is that you need to check the T&Cs thoroughly, just to make sure that your preferred payment method doesn’t exclude you from activating a bonus. Boku might not be explicitly mentioned, but look for any reference to ‘pay by phone’ options or check with customer support to be 100% certain
- Boku and budgeting –
I also need to briefly talk about Boku and budgeting. As Boku charges your next phone bill, it does pose problems for those who struggle with budgeting. This means you could bet now, and have a big bill coming at the end of the month. Make sure to always keep your budget in mind and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
- Boku and Neteller –
Before I round off this section, I should tell you about something else I discovered while compiling this guide. I discovered that you can use Boku to fund your Neteller account, and make a deposit that way to use it on sites that don’t normally accept Boku. I also discovered this is quite a tedious process and you also incur a fee when you fund your Neteller account, so I would not necessarily recommend it.
Making a deposit at Boku betting sites
Once you are aware of how Boku works in general, I’ll go into the mechanics of making a deposit. The process here is very simple:
- Once you find your Boku bookmakers, login and navigate to the deposits or payments section.
- From the options, select Boku – remember it might also be listed as ‘pay by phone’ or ‘via mobile’
- In the boxes that appear, enter your phone number and your deposit amount
- After hitting the deposit button, you’ll get a text message asking you to confirm before the transaction is finalised
- Once confirmed, your deposit should show in your account in just a few minutes – if nothing appears check with customer support.
Is it true you can’t withdraw using Boku?
It is a recurring theme in this Boku guide that I have to keep delivering bad news. The biggest problem with using Boku is that you can’t make withdrawals like you might while
Trustly betting. So, if you do want to withdraw winnings you’ll have to find an alternative method.
What to look for when searching for the best Boku betting sites
Just because Boku betting sites are so few and far between, it does not mean you should sign up with the first one you come across. In fact I would advise against signing up anywhere until after you have completed your due diligence and checked out other aspects of the site. To help with this, I’ve put together a list of the key areas to look for, so you don’t end up making a bad choice.
Make sure the site is easy to use
There’s not a lot of use joining a site that you find hard to use, as it’s just one frustration after another. As part of the review team I’ve seen plenty of bookmakers and I can tell you some are easier to use than others. Different things suit different people, so you need to spend some time looking around so you can find what you are looking for and get to important places like banking options and customer support easily.
Check the markets and odds
Look to see if the sports you bet on are covered, and the markets you use are available. While you are there, look at the odds and if need be do a quick check with other sites to ensure they are competitive.
Take a look at the bonus offers
No matter where you go, there will be a bonus offer, but some will be better than others. You need to decide whether you prefer a deposit match, a no sweat bet or bonus bets as your welcome offer, and remember to read the T&Cs so you know exactly what is in store.
You’ll want the site to be secure
As well as checking out the license to make sure they are allowed to operate in your territory, you need to make sure your money and data will be safe. Look for SSL encryption, as well as online reviews to check out their reputation, before signing up.
You should also see what is there for regular bettors in the form of loyalty rewards, and try out customer support to test response times and the quality of their answers.
Use the resources on this site to save time and effort looking for Boku bookies
Whether you are
betting with Skill, Paypal, Boku or any other method, there are extra resources on this site that can save you time and effort. I’m part of the review team here, and we’ve already checked out the Boku bookies and have rated each one. By using these you can turn a long search into a short one, and use the help of an ‘expert eye’ to make the best choice possible.
Conclusion – fining the best Boku betting sites just got a whole lot easier
Due to it not being widely accepted, finding Boku betting sites is not easy. However, using what you have learned from this guide you will not only be able to find them, you’ll be able to locate the best ones quickly and easily. You know the benefits, and what to watch out for – especially regarding withdrawals – and you can use the resources on this site to do the hard work for you, so your choice of the best Boku betting sites might only be a click away.
Our favorite betting bonuses
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Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Boku FAQs
🚀 Can you use Boku for withdrawals at bookmakers?
Boku is convenient and fast, but does have its drawbacks. The biggest of these is while it is great for making deposits you are unable to make withdrawals this way. That means that if you want to get hold of any winnings, you’ll need a different option.
⚡ Can you use Boku with Neteller?
Neteller is more widely accepted than Boku currently, so by funding your Neteller account with Boku, you could give yourself more options. You need to be aware though, that doing this will incur fees when adding funds to your Neteller account.
🪙 Why is Boku not so widely accepted?
Boku is fast and convenient but is still gaining support among bookmakers and casinos online, who already offer plenty of payment options. This makes finding Boku betting sites hard, so finding a Boku betting guide can save you time and effort.
