What is Boku?
Boku is a mobile payment platform that allows users to make purchases online and charge them directly to their phone bill. It simplifies transactions, enhances security, and provides a convenient alternative to traditional payment methods. It is only in use at a small number of UK betting sites at present.
Our Top 5 Bookmakers that Accept Boku
Using Boku as a method of funding betting sites is not really mainstream and it is an interesting concept to be able to top up your betting account without using your bank account. BoyleSports is the only betting site to accept payments directly but there are a few little tricks which you can use to deposit into other sports betting sites as well and it means that this mobile phone bill payment method can be used for several online betting sites, all licenced in the United Kingdom.
Below are the five best Boku betting sites that both accept Boku and are also available to UK customers today. This includes both online betting sites that accept Boku directly and also indirectly.
BoyleSports
BoyleSports is one of the few Boku betting sites that will take payment directly from Boku. With over 20 years of history, BoyleSports is a high street name and a reputable bookmaker in the UK and Ireland.
Although BoyleSports is one of the few bookmakers who allow you to use Boku directly it does have its faults in terms of odds for the minor markets that they cover. On the plus side though their New user Welcome bonus is excellent but you should make note of the fact that the Free bets are for mobile customers only. The exact amount of time taken to receive the Free bets will depend on the qualifying bet settlement period but they are added to your betting account within 24 hours of that.
Pros:
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Excellent range of promotions and Free bets.
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Wide range of sports to choose from.
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Cash out available.
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Live chat is available as well as many other forms of great customer service.
Cons:
- Some payment systems may be ineligible for bonus offers.
NetBet
NetBet is another one of the betting sites that accept Boku directly. NetBet has no physical shops and so they obviously specialise in online sports betting, with an additional Casino attached to the Sportsbook for customers to choose from. NetBet offers a good range of sports and a great cash out betting product however they do fall short with both the range of markets and promotions. Overall NetBet is a great place to play especially given its ability to deposit directly with Boku. There are some elements of NetBet which miss the mark and could be improved upon however the overall gaming experience at NetBet is great.
Pros:
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NetBet provides Cash out for its customers live bets.
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Large and in depth In-play system.
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Good specials markets.
Cons:
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No 24/7 customer support.
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No mobile app provided.
Paddy Power
Paddy Power is one of the hundreds of betting sites that accept Neteller as a form of deposit (and therefore indirectly Boku). It is worth remembering though that using Neteller will almost always exclude you from receiving bonus offers and Free bets, so it is best to use a card to deposit if possible. Paddy Power are one of the largest bookmakers in the UK (and Ireland) and have been operating since 1988, with online betting beginning more recently in 2004. With a huge range of sports and markets as well as promotions which include a refunded first losing bet as cash. This is much better than Free bet stakes which return only the winnings, (and also you do not need to worry about letting the Free bets expire). In play, Cash out and Live streaming services at Paddy Power make them a very highly rated, all round excellent bookmaker.
Pros:
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Great range of sports and markets.
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All the features you could ask for.
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Massive range of deposit options (including using Boku).
Cons:
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Complicated verification process.
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Account can be limited.
Betfred
Betfred is another of the industry giants that take Neteller as a payment method and this means that indirectly (Depositing into Neteller then using Boku) can be used to deposit Boku into your betting account at Betfred.
With over 50 years of history, BetFred is one of the oldest bookmakers in the UK and offers a huge range of features, sports, markets and an incredible amount of promotions. The promotions page details all the Free bets on offer with Free bets credited in the form of bonus cash when qualifying bets have settled. The only real shortcoming of BetFred is that it is now a somewhat outdated betting site which could do with a refresh especially when compared to more modern online betting sites.
Pros:
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Great overall odds.
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Excellent football markets and special bets.
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Many promotions and free to play offers.
Cons:
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Live odds leave much to be desired.
William Hill
William Hill is one of the oldest sports betting sites in the UK with 88 years of experience starting from the early days of gambling and since then building up their reputation and repertoire into the modern day. With all of this in mind the fact that WilliamHill takes deposits from Neteller (and therefore indirectly Boku) should be a surprise to nobody. With an incredible range of features, huge selection of markets and sports the only real downside to William Hill is its slightly slower payment times of the betting site compared to some of the competition.
Pros:
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Huge range of sports.
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Great markets.
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Plus card promotion is very helpful.
Cons:
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You can be banned from Free bet promotions.
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Problems with navigation can occur.
| Bookmaker | Boku Accepted | Welcome Bonus | Read the Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Boylesports | Yes | Click Here | Click Here |
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NetBet | Yes | ||
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PaddyPower | Yes (Indirectly) | ||
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Betfred |
Yes (Indirectly) |
||
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William Hill |
Yes (Indirectly) |
||
Mobile Boku Betting Sites
There is only one betting site in the UK at the time of writing who have a mobile app that can be used to accept Boku payments. We have already spoken about their desktop version above, that site is Boylesports. We will review and highlight the important features of these now below:
Boylesports
How to use Boku: Deposits & Withdrawals
Depositing directly using Boku
Login to any of the betting sites which accept Boku as a form of deposit (In this example we are going to deposit into a betting account at BoyleSports)
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Select Boku as your form of deposit and enter your deposit amount.
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Select deposit and follow the onscreen prompt
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Enter your mobile number and select “Buy now for £X (deposit amount)".
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Wait for your verification text and follow the on screen instructions.
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Once you have verified yourself the chosen amount will appear in your online wallet.
How To Deposit with Boku via Neteller
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Depositing indirectly with Boku (Via Neteller) is also a simple process! Using similar steps mentioned above add funds into your Neteller account using Boku.
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Log into your online betting site of choice and enter the “deposit section” of the site.
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Select Neteller from the list of deposit options and enter your Email (The one that is used with your Neteller account). Enter the amount you would like to deposit and select the deposit button. Follow the onscreen popup and log in to your Neteller account to confirm the deposit.
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Depositing indirectly with Boku (Via Neteller) does provide you with infinitely more choice when it comes to depositing due to the limited number of betting sites that are pure Boku betting sites.
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Depositing indirectly with Boku does take slightly longer due to the extra steps necessary to fund a normal deposit however if you feel that you must be using Boku then it is certainly possible!
How to Withdraw with Boku
Unfortunately due to the nature of Boku and the fact there is no Boku account as such, and the fact that any payments made are made from your mobile bill, it is not possible to withdraw money from Boku betting sites back to your bank account at the present time.
With that in mind, it is definitely worthwhile creating an alternative payment method to use when you are Boku betting alongside this method so that you can access the funds in your betting account whenever you would like, if they can't go into a Boku account they will need to go somewhere else0. Doing this may need a one time deposit from the source you wish to withdraw from so make sure to bear this in mind.
Pretty much every reputable bookmaker will also require ID verification as well as proof of address in the form of a bank statement or other official source (such as your water bill) ; however, this will only be necessary once.
If withdrawing often is something you do then Boku may not be the payment method for you. The main advantage of Boku is its ability to quickly and conveniently deposit so if that fits the bill for you then Boku may be worth looking into!
How We Rank Boku Bookmakers
There are not very many Boku betting sites at the time of writing but at Legalbet.uk when we are reviewing and ranking betting sites there are several things that we always take into account. These are:
Payment methods
One of the first things we look at when reviewing a betting site is the available payment methods. A good betting site should offer a wide range of options, including not just debit cards but also E-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill as well as more modern solutions such as Apple pay and, indeed, like Boku. We look at the processing times for both deposits and withdrawals, as well as any fees associated with transactions. A top-quality betting site will have fast, secure, and convenient payment methods with no fees.
Range of sports and betting markets
A crucial factor in our review process is looking at the range of markets offered by the betting site. We look for sites that provide a diverse selection of sports and events to bet on, from popular choices like football and horse racing to niche markets such as Esports and politics. The more variety a betting site offers, the better as far as we are concerned.
Odds Quality
Competitive odds are essential when choosing a betting site, as they directly impact your potential winnings. In our ratings, we compare the odds offered by the betting site with those of other leading bookmakers to ensure they are competitive and offer good value for punters. The methodology is not perfect and does not guarantee a bookmaker will always be better than another but we consider the odds margins, which indicate the bookmaker's overall profit margin and is a good guide to the overall value of the odds offered.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions can significantly enhance your betting experience, providing additional value and opportunities to maximize your winnings. We review the types of bonuses offered by each betting site, such as welcome offers, free bets, and cashback promotions, as well as their terms and conditions. A top-rated betting site will have generous and achievable bonuses, with transparent and fair terms.
Customer Support
Reliable and efficient customer service is a vital aspect of any good betting site. In our reviews, we assess the quality of customer support by considering factors such as availability, response time, and the knowledge and friendliness of the support staff. A top betting site should offer multiple contact options, such as live chat, email, and phone support, and be available 24/7 to assist with any issues or inquiries.
Countries Where Boku Can Be Used For Betting
Here are some countries where Boku may be used for online gambling, provided that the online casino supports Boku payments and adheres to local gambling regulations:
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Sweden
- Finland
- Norway
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and the availability of Boku as a payment method for online gambling may change over time due to changes in regulations or the addition of new online casinos. It's essential to check the specific online casino's terms and conditions and ensure that you are complying with local gambling laws.
Pros & cons of using Boku gambling sites
✅Pros:
- No need to share any bank card details
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No fees for use
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Secure and Safe payment method
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Depositing is almost instant
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No additional transactions on your bank statement(However there will be an increase on your mobile bill)
❌Cons:
- Cant be used to withdraw
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Not widely accepted
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Very limited deposit amount
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Deposits made using Boku can very rarely be used alongside promotions.
About Boku
Boku is a mobile payment service that allows users to make online transactions by charging the payments to their mobile phone bill. Here are a few of the key facts about the company:
| Company name | Boku Inc |
| Logo |  |
| Founders |
Mark Britto Ron Hirson Erich Ringewald Javier Martell |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | San Fransisco, USA |
| Turnover |
$54.6 million (2020) |
Alternatives to Boku
As well as Boku there are of course other ways to deposit into UK betting sites. Overall it is safe to say that if you have a Visa debit card and only plan to gamble now and then using that is definitely the best way to deposit and withdraw. If you are going to be making many transactions and treat it all in a more professional manner than using an E-wallet dedicated to this purpose would make sense to ring fence it from your every day finances. Some of the methods available are:
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PayPal
A popular payment method that is used by many betting sites in the world. This E-wallet allows customers to deposit and withdraw funds online via a convenient gadget. You can also transfer your money. Using it as a payment system to top up your betting account, make sure you check the terms and conditions.
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Neteller
A digital payment system launched in 1999. You can make or receive money transfers across the world. The system currently operates in over 200 countries, supporting over 20 currencies. Pay attention that fees may be applied, make sure you’ve read the terms and conditions.
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Trustly
A global payment network, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. With the help of this system you can make your online payments without using a bank card or a special app. The system works in Europe, the United States, Australia and Canada. They currently cover around 30 markets.
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Skrill
A digital payment system that allows you to transfer and receive funds only with the help of an email account. The system was launched in London in the beginning of the 21st century. Skrill is amongst the leaders as a payment method for betting sites.
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Apple Pay
A mobile payments system and an e-wallet provided by Apple. The system was created in 2014. Currently, iPhone and Apple Watch users can pay with this method compatible with the NFC technology. Apple Pay can be used for online payments. The system operates in over 60 countries.
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paysafecard
A prepaid online payment method. It is based on cash and special vouchers that contain 16-digit PIN codes. You can make online payments with no bank account or bank card details needed. The payment method covers around 50 countries, including most of Europe.
Top betting sites
By Payment Systems: PayPal | Skrill | Klarna | Boku | Debit Cards | Apple Pay | Paysafecard | Neteller | Google Pay | Prepaid Cards | Revolut
Frequently Asked Questions
Boku is a payment method that gives customers the option to deposit using their mobile number and their phone bill as opposed to the regular E-wallet or Debit cards used by many.
In short yes, Boku betting sites are safe and secure. Each purchase requires verification using your mobile phone meaning it is virtually impossible for someone to charge anything to your account without having the phone in front of them.
Yes! Boku is available to be used in the UK with all UK phone numbers but it can be a little tricky finding a betting site that accepts Boku payments. It is probable that when you are Boku betting you will use it in conjunction with Neteller to reach a wider range of sites.
Unfortunately Boku betting sites are not widespread in the UK market at this time (Boylesports and NetBet being the two main ones). However Boku can be used in conjunction with some E-wallets such as Neteller.
As well as Boku betting sites you can also consider betting sites which accept Neteller, Skrill and PayPal are all excellent E-wallets which can be used to deposit on the vast majority of bookmakers. Alternatively, a good old Debit card can be used or some bookmakers may offer a variety of other potential payment systems such as Paysafecard.
