The bonus round is what makes this game special and exciting. Normally, you would have to line up matching symbols in order to win prizes on a slot machine. However, with bonus buy slots, you can simply buy your way into the bonus round. Is this shortcut worth it?
In this article, we’ll take a look at what bonus buy slots are, how they work, and whether or not they’re worth your time and money. So, if you’re curious about this new type of slot machine, read on!
Highlights:
- Slots with buy bonus rounds allow you to activate “free” spins straight away
- These slots are very popular in the UK, but they’re not without controversy
- The UK Gambling Commission banned buy bonus games in 2019
- You can play slots with a buy bonus feature at non UKGC licenced casinos
Quick Facts About Bonus Buy Slots
| 🎰Number of Bonus Buy Slots | 220 |
| 🕹️Top Provider for Bonus Buy Slots | Blueprint Gaming |
| 💰Avg Bonus Buy Cost | 100x |
| 🎰Minimum Bonus Buy Cost | 50x |
| ⚡️Maximum Bonus Buy Cost | 2000x (San Quentin xWay Slot) |
| 💰Bonus Buy Slot With the Highest RTP | Morgana Megaways (98.06% RTP) |
| 🕹️First Bonus Buy Slot | White Rabbit (2017) |
How Do Bonus Buy Slots Work?
Bonus buy slots are a relatively new innovation in the world of online gambling. Unlike traditional slots, which require you to line up matching symbols in order to win prizes, bonus buy slots allow you to simply buy your way into the bonus round.
So, how do they work? Well, most buy bonus slots will have a special button that you can press in order to get instant access to bonus games. This button will cost you between 50 and 2000 times your stake, but it will guarantee that you’ll get to play the bonus round.
Once you’ve bought your way into the bonus round, you’ll typically be given a certain number of “free” spins. So, for example, if you bet £1 per spin with a 100x multiplier, you can play free spins for £100.
Basically, the bonus buy option should be called paid spins, because that is effectively what you’re getting.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy a Bonus Game?
The bonus buy feature allows you to purchase access to a bonus round for an additional cost. The price for the Bonus Buy feature varies depending on the game and can usually be between 50 and 120 times your stake.
Let’s take an Extra Chilli Megaways slot as an example. Buying 8 spins would cost you 50 times your stake. So, if you’re playing with a £0.20 stake, it would cost you £10 to buy the bonus game, which is quite expensive! So, keep in mind the risk when you’re thinking about using this feature.
Bonus Buy Slots Pros & Cons
Websites like ours offer an honest and unbiased opinion. So, we feel it is only fair that we give you the pros and cons of bonus buy slot games. Let's take a look:
Pros
- You get to skip the boring part of the game (i.e. spinning the reels)
- You're guaranteed to play the bonus round
- You might get a higher RTP
Cons
- It's a huge shortcut that will cost you a lot of money
- The bonus round is usually not worth the price you pay to get there
- It might be addictive and cause you to lose a lot of money in the long run
Most Popular Bonus Buy Slots
It’s not just the slot games that have been improving – developers are constantly innovating to create new features for their clients. As a result, the bonus buy feature has been tweaked, tuned, and released in various versions across different platforms. So, if you’re curious about this feature, here are some of the best bonus buy slots that you can play:
| Slot Game | Software Developer | RTP Base | RTP After Buying Bonus | Cost |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.51% | 96.51% | 100x |
| Great Rhino Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.58% | 96.58% | 100x |
| Gods Of Olympus Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 96.03% | 96.91% | 100x |
| Money Train | Relax Gaming | 96.20% | 98.00% | 80x |
| Rick and Morty Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 96.55% | 97.16% | 150x |
| Book Of Gods | Big Time Gaming | 96.35% | 96.39% | 80x |
Bonus Buy Slots Are Banned In The UK
The Gambling Commission banned all feature buy slots UK in 2019. So, if you’re in the UK, you won’t be able to find any slot machines that offer buy bonus rounds at UKGC-licenced online casinos.
The ban was put in place to protect UK players from spending too much money on these types of games. Bonus buy slots UK have been criticised for being addictive and leading to problem gambling. After all, it’s easy to get carried away and spend a lot of money on buy bonus features without really thinking about it.
Another reason for the ban is that the Gambling Commission wants to ensure that all players have a fair chance of winning. Let’s have an example: if you make a £10 bet and hit 1000x, you will win £10,000 with regular slots. But if you bought a buy bonus feature for £10 for 100x your bet and hit the same 1000x, you would only win… £100. So it’s technically not as fair. We think that now you understand why the UK Gambling Commission banned this feature.
…However, You Can Play Bonus Buy Slots at Non UKGC Licenced Sites
Buy bonus slots are still available to play at online casinos, but you’ll have to find a non-UKGC-licenced online casino to play them. These are offshore sites that are not regulated by the UKGC. Instead, they hold licences in Curacao, Malta, or Gibraltar.
The downside of playing at these casinos is that they’re not as safe as UKGC-licenced sites. So, you’ll need to be extra careful about choosing a reputable casino. Make sure to check out our list of the best non-UKGC-licenced casinos below. They often offer much more games, including bonus buy slots. Also, they offer great bonuses for new players and very fast withdrawals.
Top 3 Non UKGC Licenced Online Casinos
We recommend checking out our list below if you are looking for the best non-UKGC-licenced casinos. We have tested and reviewed 13 sites to find the best ones for you. We checked not only if they offer a bonus buy option but also if they’re safe and have a good selection of games. Let’s see:
- Voodoo Wins⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Jimmy Winner⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Casper Spins⭐⭐⭐⭐
1: Voodoo Wins Casino
Voodoo Wins is the best non-UKGC-licenced casino. This site offers fast payouts, a wide range of casino games from the best software providers, and sports betting. They also host a lot of tournaments and lotteries where you can win Apple gadgets, laptops, and smartphones. Get a 450% bonus for the first deposits and 50 free spins for the Telegram bot connecting.
- Casino rating: 8.5/10
- Non-UKGC licenced: Yes
- Buy Bonus Features: Available
- Fast Withdrawals: Yes
- Deposit Bonus: 450% welcome package
2: Jimmy Winner Casino
JimmyWinner is a modern-looking fast payout casino with many games from top software providers. They offer a welcome package of up to 525% and very fast withdrawals. We received our winnings in less than 24 hours! They have a leaderboard with cash prizes every month and many different lotteries.
- Casino rating: 8/10
- Non-UKGC licenced: Yes
- Buy Bonus Features: Available
- Fast Withdrawals: Yes
- Deposit Bonus: 525% welcome package
3: Casper Spins Casino
Casper Spins is a non-UKGC online casino where you can not only play casino games but also bet on sports, virtual sports, and e-sports. Get 125 free spins and up to 50% on your first deposit. Withdrawals are very fast, usually processed in less than 24 hours.
- Casino rating: 8/10
- Non-UKGC licenced: Yes
- Buy Bonus Features: Available
- Fast Withdrawals: Yes
- Deposit Bonus: 125 FS + up to 50% on your first deposits.
How to Use Buy Bonus Slots? Our Tips
Buying bonuses might be risky and cost you a lot of money. So, we have a few tips on using buy bonus slots without going over budget. Check them out below:
- Is a Bonus Frequency Good? If a slot game has a good bonus frequency, it is pointless to buy a bonus round. You should know that every slot game has a different bonus frequency. The best way to find out is by checking the slot’s paytable or using SlotTracker. If the bonus round is hit frequently, buying it doesn’t make sense.
- Play Demo Mode First: We recommend playing the demo mode first to see if you like the game. This way, you can also get a feel for how often the bonus round is triggered.
- Do Not Chase Losses: It is important to remember that you should never chase your losses. It means you should not buy the bonus round if you lose more money than planned. This is a surefire way to lose even more money.
- Set a Budget: Setting a budget before you start playing is always a good idea. This way, you will not spend more money than you can afford to lose.
Is it Worth Buying a Bonus Feature?
Now that you know all about bonus buy slots UK, you’re probably wondering if they’re worth your time and money. After all, buying your way into the bonus round is a pretty big shortcut. We are not like other casino guides that sugarcoat reality. So, we will tell it like it is.
Slots that allow you to buy bonus spins are not worth playing. Purchasing bonus rounds will burn your bankroll much faster than playing regular online slots. Too often, it might seem like a decent bonus. For example, someone could win £15, but the fact that they spent £20 to get it kind of puts it into perspective.
So, we don’t recommend playing online slots with a bonus buy feature. If you want to play slot games, your best bet is to stick to the traditional way of playing. Line up those matching symbols and hope for the best!
The Providers Behind Slots With The Buy Bonus Round
Bonus buy slots are a popular type of online slot, but not all providers offer them. Some game developers create bonus buy feature in almost every slot. Others believe that bonus buys are unfair to players, as they can lead to significant losses in a short time, and don’t offer buy bonus game at all.
UK regulatory bodies have also expressed concerns about buy bonus slots and have called for stricter regulation around them – simply they have simply banned them at UK online casinos. Despite these concerns and the ban, buy bonus slots remain popular with UK players, as they allow for the possibility of big wins with small wagers.
Brits simply get around this ban and play at non-UKGC-licenced online casinos. As a result, we’ll likely continue to see new slots with buy bonus rounds being released in the future. The most popular game providers that develop online slots with buy bonus rounds are:
- Pragmatic Play
- Blueprint Gaming
- Relax Gaming
- Big Time Gaming
Feature Buy Slots Are Different From Bonus Buy Slots
There are also buy feature slots, which differ from bonus buy slots. Feature buy slots were not banned by the UKGC and are completely legal, so you can find them at UK-licensed online casinos. However, they’re different from buy bonus slots in a few ways:
- They don’t guarantee you'll get into the slot bonus round. You just buy an extra feature and hope to trigger it. (For example, you can buy an extra scatter to the reels).
- The price of the feature is usually much lower, so you’re not risking as much money.
- You can find feature buy slots from many software providers, unlike bonus buy slots that only a few companies make.
- They are also known as a ‘Big Bet Feature’ or a ‘Gamble Feature’.
- Feature buy slots include Pearl Of The Caribbean, Hot Fiesta, or Monopoly Big Event.
Bonus Buy vs. Feature Buy: Which One Should You Choose?
So, should you play feature buy slots or bonus buy slots? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to guarantee that you’ll get into the bonus round, then bonus buy slots are the way to go. However, they’re costly, and you can only find them at a few non-UKGC-licenced casinos.
In most cases, you might get a better deal by using the feature buy option. For example, in many slots, it would cost you 100x your stake to buy the bonus round, but with a big bet feature, you would pay only 25% more on top of your bet. So, in the long run, using the feature buy option is cheaper.
Of course, there is also a downside to this. With feature buy slots, you’re never guaranteed to get into the bonus round. So, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one you want to play.
Buy Bonus UK Online Slots: Summary
So, what’s the final verdict? Bonus buy slots are now banned in the UK, but you can still play them at non-UKGC-licenced casinos. However, we don’t recommend playing slots with a bonus buy feature, as they’re not as fair. You’re better off playing regular slots, where you have a higher chance of winning.
If you want to play them, we recommend choosing a reputable casino from our list to avoid any problems. Make sure to always play responsibly and have fun! Maybe you're looking for something else. Check out our guides to no registration casinos or Trustly online casinos.
Slots With A Bonus Buy Option: FAQs
Are Bonus Buy Slots Banned in the UK?
Yes, bonus buy slots are now banned in the UK. You can still play them at non-UK licenced casinos, though.
What's the Difference Between Bonus Buy Slots and Feature Buy Slots?
Bonus buy slots are more expensive, and they guarantee that you’ll get into the bonus round. On the other hand, buy feature slots is cheaper but doesn’t guarantee anything.
What's the Catch With Buy Bonus Slot Games?
The main problem with bonus buy slots is that they’re not as fair as regular slots. As a result, the chance of winning is lower, and you might lose a lot of money. Also, they are highly addictive.
Where Can I Play Free Slots With A Bonus?
There are many UK casinos that offer free spins round. Check out our list of the best casinos that offer no deposit slots to learn more.
Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Dan
- About the Author
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I'm George, senior content manager for the UK market. After leaving my semi-boring job as a Croupier in London, I've been involved in the online casino industry for over ten years. Besides kick-ass content, playing tennis is what I do best.
