Buy Bonus (also known as Feature Buy) lets players skip the base game and jump directly into a slot's bonus round for a fixed cost — typically 60 to 100 times the current bet. In this guide, we explain exactly how the mechanic works, its pros and cons, how it affects volatility, where it is regulated, and which Buy Bonus slots are available at the casinos we track. All slot outcomes are determined by random number generators and are never predictable.
Buy Bonus (also called Feature Buy, Bonus Buy, or Ante Bet) is a slot mechanic that allows players to pay a premium to instantly trigger the game's bonus feature — most commonly free spins. Instead of spinning through the base game and waiting for the required number of scatter symbols to land naturally, you pay a fixed multiple of your bet and go straight into the bonus round.
The typical cost ranges from 60x to 100x your current bet size. At a $1 bet, this means paying $60 to $100 for a single bonus round. Some slots offer tiered Buy Bonus options with different price points that trigger different levels of the bonus feature — for example, a standard free spins round at 80x or an enhanced version at 200x or 400x.
The feature was pioneered by providers like Pragmatic Play and has since been adopted across the industry. It appears in the game interface as a button or panel, usually adjacent to the spin button, clearly displaying the cost before you confirm the purchase.
60x — 100x bet
The most common price range. Triggers the standard bonus round with the same mechanics as a naturally triggered feature. Found on most Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming titles.
150x — 250x bet
Available on some slots, this tier triggers an upgraded bonus round — often with extra starting multipliers, additional free spins, or guaranteed special symbols.
300x — 500x+ bet
Offered by providers like Hacksaw Gaming and Nolimit City. Triggers the highest-tier bonus with maximum potential. Extremely high volatility. Found on titles like San Quentin and Wanted Dead or a Wild.
When you activate Buy Bonus, the game deducts the purchase cost from your balance and immediately initiates the bonus round. The base game spin that would normally trigger the feature is effectively skipped. Here is the step-by-step process:
Click the Buy Bonus button in the game interface. The game displays the exact cost based on your current bet size and asks for confirmation.
Upon confirmation, the full Buy Bonus cost is deducted from your balance in a single transaction. This is not a bet — it is a premium payment for feature access.
The game transitions directly to the bonus feature. In most cases, this is a free spins round with the same rules as a naturally triggered bonus. The RNG determines all outcomes.
The bonus round proceeds normally. Wins accumulate, multipliers apply, and any retrigger mechanics function as they would in a naturally triggered feature. The outcome is entirely random.
The Buy Bonus cost is mathematically calibrated by the game developer so that the average return from purchased bonus rounds approximates the cost of triggering the feature naturally through base game spins. This means the feature is designed to be roughly RTP-neutral — it is a convenience mechanic, not an advantage. Some providers publish separate RTP figures for Buy Bonus play; check the game info screen for details.
Some Pragmatic Play slots offer an Ante Bet option instead of a direct Buy Bonus. The Ante Bet increases your base game bet by 25% (e.g., from $1.00 to $1.25 per spin) and doubles the probability of triggering the bonus feature naturally. This is a middle ground between standard play and full Buy Bonus — it costs more per spin but still requires scatter symbols to land.
Skip potentially hundreds of base game spins to reach the bonus round immediately. Useful for players who prefer the bonus mechanic over base game play.
If your available playing time is limited, Buy Bonus lets you experience the most exciting part of a slot without extended base game sessions.
The cost is fixed and displayed upfront. You know exactly what you are spending to access the feature, unlike base game play where the cost to reach a natural trigger is unpredictable.
Tiered Buy Bonus options on some slots let you choose different feature levels, giving access to premium bonus rounds that might rarely trigger naturally.
Paying 100x your bet in a single transaction is a substantial outlay. A $2 bet means $200 per Buy Bonus. This can deplete a bankroll rapidly if bonus rounds underperform.
Many purchased bonus rounds return less than the purchase cost. A 100x buy can easily return 10x or 20x. The average is near the cost, but individual outcomes swing widely.
Buy Bonus dramatically increases the speed at which money is wagered. A player using Buy Bonus repeatedly can spend their bankroll far faster than one playing the base game at the same bet size.
The high cost and variable outcomes can create a cycle of buying more bonus rounds to recover from underperforming ones. This is a recognized risk factor for problem gambling behavior.
Buy Bonus amplifies the volatility experience of any slot. When you play the base game normally, the cost of reaching a bonus round is spread across many smaller bets over many spins. With Buy Bonus, that entire cost is concentrated into a single large transaction, and the outcome depends entirely on one bonus round.
This concentration effect means your session results when using Buy Bonus will swing more dramatically than during normal play. A standard base game session might gradually draw down your balance with occasional small wins until a bonus triggers. Buy Bonus, by contrast, creates a pattern of large step-changes — each purchase is a major event that either pays well or underperforms significantly.
Your balance changes gradually through many small wins and losses. Volatility is experienced over hundreds of spins. The cost to reach a bonus is spread across your session and is less noticeable per spin.
Your balance changes in large jumps. Each purchase is a significant event. You experience the full volatility of the bonus round in concentrated form. Bankroll swings are more dramatic and visible.
At 300-500x bet, premium Buy Bonus tiers represent the highest volatility available in online slots. A single purchase at $1 bet costs $300-$500 and can return anywhere from near-zero to 10,000x or more. This is extreme-level variance.
If you plan to use Buy Bonus, your effective bankroll requirement increases significantly. A reasonable approach is to have at least 5-10x the Buy Bonus cost available in your balance. At 100x buy cost on a $1 bet ($100 per buy), that means a session bankroll of $500 to $1,000 to absorb the natural variance. This is educational context, not financial advice. Use our Volatility Visualizer to model different scenarios.
Buy Bonus features are subject to varying regulatory treatment across different jurisdictions. The most notable restriction comes from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), which banned the feature in October 2021. The UKGC determined that Buy Bonus features accelerate gambling spend and may increase the risk of gambling-related harm.
Under the UK ban, slot providers must disable the Buy Bonus button for players accessing games through UKGC-licensed operators. The games themselves remain available — only the Feature Buy option is removed. Players can still trigger bonus rounds naturally through base game scatter symbols.
In most other regulated markets, Buy Bonus remains legal and widely available. Jurisdictions such as Malta (MGA), Curacao, and Gibraltar permit the feature. Some Nordic markets have considered restrictions but have not implemented blanket bans as of 2026.
The UKGC's rationale centered on the accelerated spending pattern that Buy Bonus creates. By removing the natural pacing of base game spins between bonus rounds, players can spend significantly more in shorter periods. Whether or not you agree with the ban, it highlights an important point: Buy Bonus increases your rate of spend. Factor this into your session planning and responsible gambling approach regardless of where you play.
These are the most notable slots with Buy Bonus features available at the casinos we track. All RTPs are sourced from provider documentation. Remember that RTP describes long-term statistical averages, not individual session results.
| # | Slot Name | Provider | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| 2 | Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.49% |
| 3 | Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | 96.38% |
| 4 | Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.55% |
| 5 | Fruit Party | Pragmatic Play | 96.47% |
| 6 | Money Train 3 | Relax Gaming | 96.50% |
| 7 | Starlight Princess | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| 8 | San Quentin xWays | Nolimit City | 96.03% |
| 9 | Sugar Rush | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| 10 | Razor Shark | Push Gaming | 96.70% |
Some providers release slots in multiple RTP configurations, and Buy Bonus costs may be adjusted accordingly. Always check the specific game info at your chosen casino for confirmed RTP and Buy Bonus pricing. The casinos we recommend display this information transparently. Visit our High RTP Slots Guide for more on RTP verification.
Buy Bonus availability depends on both the casino's provider partnerships and your jurisdiction. We have verified Feature Buy availability at these tracked casinos, all of which have passed our review process.
Before your session, decide how many Buy Bonus purchases you can afford and stick to that number. Treat each purchase as a discrete entertainment expense with no guaranteed return.
If a purchased bonus round underperforms, resist the urge to immediately buy another to recover. This is the most common pattern that leads to rapid bankroll depletion. Each purchase should be a deliberate decision, not a reaction.
Play the slot in demo mode and use the Buy Bonus feature with play money to understand the typical range of bonus round outcomes. This gives you realistic expectations before committing real funds.
If playing with casino bonus funds, verify that Buy Bonus is permitted under the bonus terms. Some casinos disable the feature or void bonuses if Buy Bonus is used with bonus money.
If you want more frequent bonus rounds but find Buy Bonus too aggressive, look for slots with an Ante Bet option. The 25% bet increase doubles scatter probability while maintaining more gradual bankroll changes.
Keep a record of Buy Bonus purchases and outcomes. This helps you see the actual cost and return over time and makes it easier to identify if your spending is exceeding your comfort level.
Buy Bonus features accelerate the rate at which money is wagered and can amplify both wins and losses. The convenience of instant bonus access does not change the fundamental mathematics: all slot games have a built-in house edge and no feature, mechanic, or strategy guarantees profits.
Set deposit limits, loss limits, and session time limits before you play. If you find yourself repeatedly buying bonus rounds to chase losses, stop and take a break. Visit our responsible gambling page for self-assessment tools and direct links to support organizations including GamCare, Gambling Therapy, and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
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