Bonus Buy Slots: How They Work & Where to Play

Bonus buy slots are online slot games that let players pay a fixed premium to instantly trigger the main bonus round, such as free spins or a pick-and-win feature, without waiting for scatter symbols to land naturally. The cost is expressed as a multiplier of your current bet, typically ranging from 50x to 150x your stake.

• Instant feature access: One click takes you directly into the bonus game, bypassing the base game grind.
• Fixed cost: The buy-in is a set multiple of your bet (e.g., 100x on a $1 bet costs $100).
• High volatility: Bonus buy slots tend to be among the highest-volatility games available, with large but infrequent payouts.
• Popular among experienced players: The mechanic appeals to players with sufficient bankroll who want concentrated, high-risk action.

For a broader understanding of slot mechanics, see our guide on types of slots.

How Does the Bonus Buy Feature Work?

1. Select a slot game that offers a "Bonus Buy" or "Feature Buy" button. Not all slots include this option.
2. Choose your bet level and click the buy button displayed in the game interface.
3. The game charges a set multiplier of your bet. Common costs range from 50x to 150x, though some high-end titles charge 250x to 500x or more.
4. The bonus round triggers immediately. This may be free spins, a pick-and-win feature, or a respin mechanic, depending on the game.
5. Play the bonus round. Wins are calculated and paid according to the game's paytable, exactly as if you had triggered the feature through scatter symbols. Some games also include a gamble mechanic after the bonus, letting you risk your winnings for a chance to double them.

Players choose bonus buy slots for instant action and high win potential. Instead of spinning hundreds of times hoping for scatter symbols, the feature buy lets you skip directly to the part of the game where the largest payouts are concentrated.

• Instant gratification: No need to spin for hours waiting for scatters. One purchase gets you into the bonus immediately.
• Time efficiency: Ideal for players with limited session time who want to experience the main feature without an extended base game grind.
• High volatility thrill: Bonus buys deliver concentrated, high-risk gameplay where results are often binary: a large win or a total loss of the buy cost.
• Strategic control: The player decides exactly when to enter the bonus round, rather than relying on random scatter combinations.

Bonus buy slots are legal in most jurisdictions except where specifically banned, such as the United Kingdom. The feature's availability depends on your country's gambling regulations and the casino's licence.

• UK: Bonus buy is banned by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) since 2019. The feature is classified as encouraging players to increase their stakes, which breaches Remote Technical Standards. Games with bonus buy are still available in the UK, but the buy button is disabled.
• Canada, Europe (ex-UK), New Zealand: Generally allowed. Operators licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curacao, or local regulators typically offer the full feature.
• US: Depends on state. Legal in regulated online casino states such as NJ, PA, MI, and WV, though some operators may disable it. Check local laws before playing.
• Sweden: Allowed with mandatory responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and session time reminders.

See our best online casinos for regulated operators that offer bonus buy slots in your region.

Buying a bonus typically changes the game's RTP and increases volatility compared to standard play. Many slots have a higher RTP in bonus buy mode because the purchase price is calibrated to give slightly better theoretical returns than grinding through the base game.

Does Buying a Bonus Change the Game's RTP?

Yes, in many cases. Providers disclose both the base game RTP and the bonus buy RTP in the game's information panel. The difference can be significant:

• Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming): Base game RTP is 96.4%. When buying the bonus at 100x, the RTP rises to 98%, one of the largest increases available.
• Money Train 3 (Relax Gaming): Base game RTP is 96.10%. Bonus buy options range from 20x to 500x, with the RTP increasing to 96.50% across all buy tiers.
• Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play): RTP remains at 96.50% whether you buy the bonus or trigger it naturally. Not all games offer a higher buy RTP.

For more on high-volatility games with large multiplier potential, check our best multiplier slots page.

Leading providers of bonus buy slots include Nolimit City, Hacksaw Gaming, Push Gaming, and Relax Gaming. These studios specialise in high-volatility games with feature buy options that range from affordable entry points to extreme high-roller tiers.

• Nolimit City: Known for extreme volatility and tiered buy systems. Key titles include Mental (96.08% RTP, 66,666x max win), San Quentin xWays (96.03% RTP, 150,000x max win), and Deadwood (96.03% RTP, 13,950x max win). Buy costs range from 70x up to 7,000x for premium tiers.
• Hacksaw Gaming: Pioneered multi-tier bonus buy with different risk profiles per mode. Wanted Dead or a Wild (96.38% RTP, 12,500x max win) offers three buy levels at 80x, 200x, and 400x, making the 80x option one of the cheapest bonus buy slots in the high-volatility category. Other popular titles include Chaos Crew and Cuba Caliente.
• Push Gaming: Razor Shark (96.70% RTP, 50,000x max win) and Jammin' Jars 2 (96.40% RTP, 25,000x max win) both include feature buy options with strong return profiles.
• Relax Gaming: The Money Train series is among the most popular bonus buy franchises. Money Train 2 (96.4% RTP, 50,000x max win) and Money Train 3 (96.10% RTP, 200,000x max win) offer multiple buy tiers with disclosed RTP increases.
• Pragmatic Play: Offers bonus buy on select titles such as Gates of Olympus (96.50% RTP, 5,000x max win) at a standard 100x cost. The feature is not available in all jurisdictions due to regulatory restrictions.

Many bonus buy slots also use the Megaways mechanic for variable ways to win, combining two of the most popular modern slot features.

Most bonus buy slots can be played for free in demo mode, but not all demos allow the bonus buy feature. Demo availability depends on the provider and the platform hosting the game.

• Visit our free demo slots page to try games without risk. You start with virtual credits and can test both the base game and bonus rounds.
• If the game supports demo bonus buy, the buy button will be active and functional at the same cost multiplier (deducted from virtual credits).
• If the demo does not allow buying the feature, spin normally until the bonus triggers through scatter symbols, or try another provider's game that supports full demo access.

To offset real-money buy costs, consider using online casino bonuses such as deposit match offers. Note that some casinos restrict bonus buy when playing with bonus funds, so check the terms before purchasing.

Responsible play means setting a strict budget per session and never chasing losses with repeated bonus buys. The high cost per feature purchase makes it easy to deplete a bankroll quickly if limits are not in place.

• Set a buy limit: Decide how many bonus buys you can afford before starting your session. A common guideline is to never spend more than 2% of your total session bankroll on a single buy.
• Understand the cost: A 100x buy on a $1 bet costs $100 per feature. At $0.20 per spin, the same buy costs $20. Always check the total cost displayed on the buy button before clicking.
• Avoid the "almost there" trap: Do not purchase a bonus just because you missed scatters by one symbol. Each buy is an independent event with no connection to previous spins.
• Use casino tools: Deposit limits, loss limits, and session time reminders are available at all regulated casinos. Enable them before you start playing.

Learn more about safe gambling at our crypto payment methods page and general payments hub, where we cover secure deposit and withdrawal options.

Bonus buy slots are worth it for experienced players with a sufficient bankroll who enjoy high volatility and instant access to the most exciting part of a slot game. Beginners should first try demos to understand how the mechanic works before committing real money.

In summary: the bonus buy feature lets you pay a fixed cost (typically 50x to 150x your bet) to skip directly into the free spins or bonus game. Some slots offer a higher RTP in buy mode, but the increased volatility means most purchases return less than the buy cost, with occasional large wins balancing the math over time. The feature is legal in most markets but banned in the UK.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Browse our list of bonus buy slots at the top of this page, try free demo slots before wagering real money, and find trusted operators on our casino reviews page.

What is the average cost to buy a bonus in slots?

The average cost ranges from 50x to 150x your base bet, with some high-end slots charging up to 500x or more. The exact multiplier is always displayed on the game's buy button before you confirm the purchase.

Can you win real money with bonus buy slots?

Yes, you win real money if you play at a licensed online casino and wager with real funds. However, if you are playing with a casino bonus (such as a deposit match), wagering requirements may apply to your winnings from the purchased feature.

Which online casinos offer the most bonus buy slots?

Casinos that partner with Nolimit City, Hacksaw Gaming, Relax Gaming, and Push Gaming tend to have the largest bonus buy libraries. Check our curated list of best online casinos for operators with extensive feature buy catalogues.

Are bonus buy slots higher risk than regular slots?

Yes, they are generally higher risk and higher volatility. You can lose the entire buy cost in a single bonus round, but the potential for massive wins (often 10,000x stake or more) is also greater than in standard play.

Do all slot providers support the bonus buy feature?

No. Bonus buy is mostly offered by modern providers such as Nolimit City, Hacksaw Gaming, Push Gaming, and Relax Gaming. Classic providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech rarely include the feature in their games.