There have been a number of posts recently about Bovada. This is just to confirm that SMS phone verification at Bovada isn't working. You will not receive a text. Live chat customer service is unhelpful and obstructionist, and Bovada's call center has been shut down, according to their voicemail, due to Covid-19.
You don't need to verify your phone to create an account or make an initial deposit, but you do need to verify your phone for your first deposit. As a result, new players would be well-served to join a different book. First-time withdrawees will have to continue to wait and wait and wait.