One thing that often frustrates me is the limited number of payment options I have when I want to gamble online in Australia. I can't just connect my bank account to an online casino and make a payment. This is why I usually recommend using an e-wallet or crypto, as it really simplifies the process. However, there's another option that I want to talk about in this guide. This is pay by phone, a service that allows you to make a payment and add it to your phone bill.
Traditional casino banking methods tend to include bank cards, e-wallets, or crypto. While I generally prefer to use digital wallets and cryptocurrency, I've recently delved into the option to pay by phone bill at online casino sites. I've found that there aren't many pay by phone casinos that support Australian mobile networks. However, there are still options that you can use to bypass some restrictions local networks may have.
When I find a couple of these sites that support Aussies, the first thing I do is make a list of them and then consider some criteria for each of the platforms. These are the criteria that help me pick the right casino. I already knew I wanted to use mobile phone casino deposits through the pay by phone system. However, there are other criteria that I also look at to make the right decision.
Operator and Security Details
I always start by validing the legitimacy of the online casino. This starts with taking a look at the operator who owns and operates the site. It's a really important factor for me. There are no local Australian governing bodies that offer companies casino licenses. However, operators with a casino accepting us Aussies will usually have an off-shore license.
The license could be provided by a body like the Malta Gaming Authority. This is actually one of my own preferred licenses for an online casino. Many experts will agree that it's a gold standard. Apart from taking a look at the operator and the casino, security is also a priority for me. I look for an SSL certificate, as this is a particularly important factor.
Mobile-Friendliness and Website Design
When it comes to using phone credit to deposit money at an online casino, you're likely going to do this directly on your smartphone. That's how I did it and by taking advantage of the mobile-friendliness of a casino, it really just makes the process much easier.
If you're looking to register at mobile phone online casino sites that uses pay by mobile, open up the website on your smartphone. Use the standard web browser that can, by default, be on your phone or the one that you generally use.
The key here is to make sure it works on your mobile device. Fortunately, I've found that most modern casino platforms ensure the design and layout of their website work with all mobile devices.
Selection and Types of Casino Games
Before you proceed with a mobile casino deposit, spend a moment to look through the games you can play. I prefer games with good technical specs, but at the same time, I expect a fun experience.
If you're not going to review the actual pokies and other games, you might run out of your mobile phone balance you used to deposit rather quickly.
These are not the only types of games you can play at a casino that supports a mobile phone. You'll also be able to play table games like Blackjack and Roulette.
Pay By Mobile Casinos
The classic way to gamble online is to open up your laptop or start up your desktop computer. You would then open up your web browser and visit a casino's website. However, there's been a continuous growth in casinos that allow people to play on their mobile phones. It correlates with the fact that mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly.
In Australia specifically, the number of people who have a mobile phone connected to the internet by 2029 is expected to grow to 26.58 million. As more people start to rely primarily on their phones, many want to gamble on the go without the need to take their laptops with them.
That's the case for me as well. Having the ability to take my phone out of my pocket and launch a slot game to play during a break is really great.
The great thing about pay by phone casinos is that they're usually mobile-first. This means the website was designed to prioritise usability and user-friendliness for those gamblers who prefer to use a smartphone to use the platform.
Remember that pay by phone uses your phone bill or SIM card as a funding source. If you're gambling on the same phone you'll use to actually make a deposit at the casino, then things are going to be a lot faster and smoother.
When it comes to mobile pay by phone casinos, there's another thing that I've noticed. Some of these platforms actually have apps that you can use if you don't want to navigate to their website every time.
These apps are usually not published on official app stores. If you search for "casinos" on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, you'll usually only come across apps that allow you to play demo versions of online slots.
A mobile casino that offers an app will often rather give you the ability to download a custom installation file to your phone. In this case, there's something else I want you to understand. Most of these files are APKs, a type of installer file that works on Android phones. If you have an iPhone or you want to gamble on an iPad, then these files won't work on your device.
There's one alternative option if you can't use the app but want fast access. Once you're on the website, most mobile web browsers will give you an option to add a shortcut to the site to your phone's homescreen. Some will rather install the website as an app, which acts like a shortcut to the site.
What are Pay by Phone Casinos?
I quickly want to talk about what pay by phone casinos are as well. They're not new to the industry, but when it comes to gambling in Australia, they might not be familiar to many gamblers.
These casinos are really the same as any other online casino you can find. The major difference lies in the payment methods you can use when you deposit funds into your casino account.
With a traditional casino, you'll usually be able to use very specific payment options. This includes entering your credit or debit card details. Since bank transfers are usually not available in Australia, it's not an option you'll see on these platforms. Other than these, they may offer you the ability to use a digital wallet to make a payment.
Here's where the main difference also comes in. When looking through the deposit methods they offer, you'll notice one labelled "pay by mobile". This means the casino allows you to use your phone bill as a funding source when you want to deposit money.
There are two ways that this type of payment method can work. The choice is usually yours. If you pay a monthly phone bill, then it can get added to that. This means it acts almost like a credit card. However, if you have a prepaid phone line, then it's usually going to take the funds off the money you have on your SIM.
How Pay by Mobile Casinos Work
When you want to gamble online, the default is generally to use an e-wallet or perhaps crypto when transacting at online casinos. These are usually the options you have when you gamble from Australia.
However, there are other options available. Pay by phone is one of these alternatives, but it's important to understand how it works. I've tested it out to give you a better overview of what you can expect.
Pay by phone casinos uses specific payment gateways that have been designed to take money from the mobile phone balance you have. Sometimes, they rather work with phone credit. In this case, the amount you decide to deposit will be added to your mobile phone bill.
Not every mobile operator in Australia supports this service, so it's a good idea to determine if yours works with this payment method. My operator didn't have many details about this, so I decided to just give it a try. After registering an account and entering my mobile phone number, I was able to make a deposit using my phone bill.
I received an SMS from my mobile operator that confirmed the transaction and was able to see it added to the statement I received by month end.
How to Deposit and Play at Pay by Mobile Casinos?
If you're looking to use pay by mobile services to gamble online, then you should make sure you understand how to deposit using this payment method.
The first step is to find a reputable casino that supports this payment option. Then, take a look at what payment system they use to process a pay by phone transaction. There are a couple of these available. PayForIt is a relatively common one, but there are other companies who also help casinos process this type of transaction.
You'll need to register two accounts at this point. The first is an account with the casino where you want to play. The second is with the payment platform the casino uses to process a pay by phone transaction. While you could register an account with the payment platform during the deposit process, if you do it now, it's going to speed things up a lot.
I've found that some casinos don't really offer mobile payments with this type of option, but there are some workarounds if you prefer to use it. For example, you could decide to use pay by phone to buy a Neosurf or Paysafecard voucher online. This will allow you to get a voucher pin, which you can then enter at an online casino when you want to make a deposit.
I did notice that there aren't many vendors that allows you to buy these vouchers using pay by phone, but did manage to discover a few. Thus, I may take a bit of research for you to find the right method to use for the pay by mobile service. However, once you have it figured out, things are going to be really convenient.
Paying by Phone Bill at Live Dealer Casinos
While I generally prefer to play pokies, I'm also a fan of live dealer games. These are titles where a host stands in front of a camera and deals out cards, spins a wheel, or throws a dice on the roulette table.
Live dealer casinos are quickly growing in popularity. They help to provide a similar excitement as you can expect from a land-based establishment. The major benefit here is the fact that you don't need to drive to a casino that could be several kilometres from where you live. Remember, in Australia, there are not as many land-based casinos as in some other countries.
When it comes to paying by phone at a live dealer casino, you'll find that the process is actually the same as with any other type of gambling platform. Just take a look at the payment processor they use. Sign up for an account with them. Choose pay by phone as your deposit method. Then follow the prompts that show up on the screen.
Bonuses at Pay by Mobile Casinos
As part of the criteria I tend to use, I always take a look at the casinos an online casino can offer me. This applies to mobile online casinos too. There are usually two main categories of bonuses. This includes a welcome bonus for new players and then ongoing ones for those who are already customers. Understanding the specific kinds of bonuses you can expect is important.
A welcome bonus will usually give you free spins and bonus money. The amount you get depends on how much you decide to deposit. Let's say the casino gives you a 100% deposit bonus, which is something that I usually prefer, and you deposit $200. You'll get another $200 loaded into your wallet.
Some casinos also give you a chance to claim high roller bonuses as part of a welcome package. These bonuses often have much higher maximum limits in terms of how much you can claim. They're geared toward people who want to make a more substantial deposit when you decide to sign up for an account.
In some cases, a welcome package may include a no deposit bonus. They're not as common as deposit bonuses. However, when you get access to a no deposit bonus, it's going to give you a chance to test out the site and see if you want to use real money. You don't have to deposit funds to get the bonus. The value is much lower compared to a deposit bonus, but still gives you a headstart.
While gambling from Australia, I've also found that casinos accepting clients from the country often offer cashback bonuses as well. A cashback bonus at these mobile phone casino sites will allow you to claim back some of the money you've lost while betting on slots. It's very useful, as now you get to use those lost funds to continue playing your favourite casino games.
Paying by Phone Bill at Live Dealer Casinos
While I generally prefer to play pokies, I'm also a fan of live dealer games. These are titles where a host stands in front of a camera and deals out cards, spins a wheel, or throws a dice on the roulette table.
Live dealer casinos are quickly growing in popularity. They help to provide a similar excitement as you can expect from a land-based establishment. The major benefit here is the fact that you don't need to drive to a casino that could be several kilometres from where you live. Remember, in Australia, there are not as many land-based casinos as in some other countries.
When it comes to paying by phone at a live dealer casino, you'll find that the process is actually the same as with any other type of gambling platform. Just take a look at the payment processor they use. Sign up for an account with them. Choose pay by phone as your deposit method. Then follow the prompts that show up on the screen.
Games at Pay by Mobile Casinos
When you decide to register at Pay by Phone casinos, it's important to know which games you want to play. These phone bill casino sites will often have quite a variety of games. I've found some casinos that offer over a thousand different games to play. As software developers remain competitive in the market, online casinos are also constantly increasing their partnerships and adding more games to their libraries.
If I'm not sure which games I want to play at these phone bill casinos, then there are a couple of things I always look for. This helps me pin down those specific games a Pay by Phone casino hosts that offer a fair chance to win. Here are the main criteria that I tend to use:
Variance / Volatility: The first thing is the variance of these games. Whether you're looking for mobile slots or ones to play on desktop, the volatility is something that tells you more about how frequently you can expect to see symbols match on the paylines or payways of the slot. I don't like low volatility slots. The wins are frequent but also very small. On the other hand, high volatility slots are very risky. I usually opt for medium or sometimes medium to high volatility pokies.
RTP: This spec is also known as the slot's return-to-player rate. It's a percentage that gives you an idea of how much of bets the slot pays out in the form of winnings. I generally look for slots with a 96% or higher RTP rating.
Bonuses and max win: Another thing I look at is the bonuses that the slot offers, as well as the max win. The bonuses may give you access to free spins and a bonus round. The max win is a figure that's actually a multiplier. That's the maximum multiplier that can be added to the amount you wagered on the spin.
Apart from these things, make sure you also consider the gameplay and design. While this doesn't really have an impact on the game's potential, I do prefer pokies that have fun gameplay and a good design. It adds to the experience I can expect from the slot.
Depositing with Pay by Phone is a great way to gamble online in Australia. The only problem I faced is the fact that it's not very common to find casinos that support these payment methods. Fortunately, there are several ways to use your monthly phone bill to top up your casino account. Apart from Pay by Phone casinos, there are other ways to use this system, as I explained in my guide.
kevin.conzeUpdated on February 2025, 24128 Articles
My name is Kevin, I am 30 years old, born in Germany, and living around the world. Most of my time I spend in the stunning continent of South America. I made my first steps in the vibrating iGaming Industry at the beginning of the year 2017, when I lived in the iGaming-Hotspot of Malta. In Malta, I started as a live dealer for Blackjack and Roulette. more about the author
The classic way to gamble online is to open up your laptop or start up your desktop computer. You would then open up your web browser and visit a casino's website. However, there's been a continuous growth in casinos that allow people to play on their mobile phones. It correlates with the fact that mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly.
When you want to gamble online, the default is generally to use an e-wallet or perhaps crypto when transacting at online casinos. These are usually the options you have when you gamble from Australia.
As part of the criteria I tend to use, I always take a look at the casinos an online casino can offer me. This applies to mobile online casinos too. 
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