Bonus Buy Slots
A bonus buy (or feature buy) lets you pay an upfront multiple of your stake — often 50x to 100x — to trigger a slot's bonus round immediately instead of waiting for scatters. It usually keeps a similar RTP but raises volatility, and it is banned in some regulated markets such as the UK.
| What | Pay to trigger the bonus instantly |
|---|---|
| Typical Cost | ~50x–100x the stake |
| Rtp | Usually similar to base game |
| Restrictions | Banned in the UK and some markets |
Paying to skip to the feature
Because much of a slot’s win potential sits in its bonus round, some games offer a ‘buy’ button that triggers the feature straight away for a fixed price — commonly 50 to 100 times your normal stake. It removes the wait but not the risk: you’ve committed a large stake for a single feature outcome.
RTP, volatility and regulation
Bonus buys are usually designed to keep an RTP close to the base game, but the variance is much higher — you can win big or lose the whole purchase quickly. Regulators have taken notice: the UK and several other markets prohibit bonus-buy features as a responsible-gambling measure, so availability depends on your jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Does buying the bonus improve my odds?
Not really — RTP is usually similar to the base game, but volatility is much higher because you're staking a large amount on one feature.
Why is bonus buy banned in the UK?
UK regulators restrict features seen as encouraging higher-risk, faster spending; bonus-buy mechanics fall under those responsible-gambling rules.
Sources
- Game-provider documentation
- Regulator responsible-gambling guidance