What Are Bonus Buy Slots?
Bonus buy slots — also known as feature buy or buy bonus slots — are online slot games that include an option to pay a premium to instantly trigger the bonus round. Instead of spinning the reels and waiting for the bonus feature to activate naturally (which can take dozens, sometimes hundreds of spins), you pay a set amount to jump straight into the free spins, multiplier round, or whatever the game's main feature is.
The concept is straightforward: every slot game has a bonus round that is typically the most exciting and potentially lucrative part of the game. In standard play, reaching this bonus round requires landing a specific combination of scatter symbols — usually three or more. This can take significant time and money. The bonus buy feature eliminates that wait, letting you access the feature on demand.
The cost of buying the bonus is expressed as a multiplier of your current bet size. For example, if you are playing at £1 per spin and the bonus buy costs 100x, you will pay £100 to trigger the bonus round. At £0.20 per spin, the same 100x buy would cost £20. The cost scales proportionally with your bet level.
Why Players Love Bonus Buy
- Instant action: No waiting through hundreds of base game spins to reach the feature
- Time efficiency: Get straight to the most exciting part of the game
- Controlled cost: You know exactly how much the feature costs upfront
- Streaming culture: Bonus buys produce exciting content for slot streamers, which has driven their popularity
- Potentially better RTP: Some games offer slightly higher RTP on the bonus buy compared to base game play
Why Are Bonus Buy Slots Banned in the UK?
In October 2019, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) implemented a ban on the bonus buy feature for all operators holding a UKGC licence. The ban was part of a broader set of measures aimed at reducing gambling intensity and protecting vulnerable players.
The UKGC's Reasoning
The Commission's primary concerns were:
- Increased gambling intensity: The bonus buy feature allows players to spend very large sums on a single action. A player who normally bets £1 per spin could spend £100, £200, or even £500 on a single bonus buy. The UKGC viewed this as a significant escalation in gambling intensity.
- Speed of loss: Without the bonus buy, a player's losses are spread across many individual spins over time. With the bonus buy, the same amount can be lost in a single click. This compressed timeframe reduces the opportunity for reflection and increases the risk of impulsive spending.
- Vulnerable player risk: The feature was seen as particularly risky for problem gamblers, who might use it to chase losses rapidly or escalate their spending beyond what they can afford.
- Structural similarity to other banned features: The UKGC drew parallels with other features it had restricted, such as auto-play acceleration, arguing that bonus buy similarly increased the speed and intensity of gambling.
The Ban in Practice
The ban means that any slot game available at a UKGC-licensed casino has the bonus buy button disabled or removed entirely. The games themselves are still available — you can still play Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza, or any other bonus buy slot at a UKGC casino — but you must trigger the bonus round naturally through gameplay rather than purchasing it.
The ban applies only to UKGC-licensed operators. Casinos licensed in other jurisdictions — including the non GamStop casinos popular with UK players — are not affected and continue to offer the full bonus buy feature on all compatible games.
Important Context
The UKGC ban prevents operators from offering bonus buy features, but there is no law preventing UK players from using the feature at internationally licensed casinos. As explained in our legality guide, UK gambling law regulates operators, not individual players.
How Bonus Buy Works
The mechanics of the bonus buy feature are consistent across most slot providers, though the details vary by game. Here is a general explanation of how the process works.
The Process
Set Your Bet Size
Choose your bet per spin as you normally would. The bonus buy cost is calculated as a multiple of this bet. A lower bet means a lower bonus buy cost.
Click the Bonus Buy Button
Look for a button labelled "Buy Bonus", "Feature Buy", or similar. It is usually located near the spin button or in the game's menu. The exact cost will be displayed before you confirm.
Confirm the Purchase
A confirmation screen will show you the exact amount that will be deducted from your balance. You must confirm to proceed. The cost is deducted immediately.
Play the Bonus Round
The bonus feature triggers immediately. This might be free spins, a pick-and-click bonus, a multiplier feature, or whatever the game's main bonus mechanic is. The outcome is still determined by the random number generator — buying the bonus does not guarantee a win.
Collect Your Winnings
Any winnings from the bonus round are added to your balance. The result can range from zero (a dead bonus) to thousands of times your bet on a lucky round.
What Buying the Bonus Does NOT Do
- It does not guarantee a profit. Many bonus buys will return less than the purchase price.
- It does not change the game's RNG (random number generator). Outcomes are still random.
- It does not give you a "better" bonus round. The feature plays identically whether triggered naturally or via purchase.
- It does not affect other players' outcomes or the game's overall payout cycle.
RTP: Base Game vs Bonus Buy
Many slot providers publish separate RTP figures for base game play and bonus buy play. Understanding the difference helps you make informed decisions about whether to use the feature.
| Slot | Provider | Base Game RTP | Bonus Buy RTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% | 96.50% | 0.00% |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.48% | 96.48% | 0.00% |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | 96.38% | 96.40% | +0.02% |
| Mental | NoLimit City | 96.08% | 96.24% | +0.16% |
| San Quentin | NoLimit City | 96.03% | 96.20% | +0.17% |
| Money Train 3 | Relax Gaming | 96.00% | 96.10% | +0.10% |
| The Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.55% | 96.55% | 0.00% |
| Tombstone RIP | NoLimit City | 96.08% | 96.28% | +0.20% |
Key Observations
- Pragmatic Play games tend to have identical RTPs for base game and bonus buy, meaning the feature is mathematically neutral.
- NoLimit City games often have slightly higher RTPs on the bonus buy, making it marginally better value mathematically.
- The RTP differences are small (typically 0-0.2%). The primary consideration should be your enjoyment and bankroll management, not minor RTP optimisation.
- Remember that at non GamStop casinos, these are the original RTP versions. At UKGC-licensed sites, the base game RTP would typically be 91-94% instead. For more on this, see our RTP and house edge guide.
Cost Multipliers Explained
The cost of buying the bonus varies significantly between games. Understanding the cost structure helps you manage your bankroll and choose games that fit your budget.
How Cost Multipliers Work
The cost is always a multiple of your current bet per spin. If the multiplier is 100x and your bet is £0.50, the bonus buy costs £50. If your bet is £2, the same 100x buy costs £200. This scaling means you should always set your bet to an appropriate level before buying the bonus.
Common Cost Ranges
| Cost Range | Typical Games | At £1 Bet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50x – 80x | Basic free spins features | £50 – £80 | Lower cost, lower maximum win potential |
| 100x | Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza, Fruit Party | £100 | Most common cost; good balance of risk and reward |
| 150x – 200x | Chaos Crew, Hacksaw slots | £150 – £200 | Higher cost for enhanced features or guaranteed extras |
| 250x – 500x | NoLimit City premium features (Mental, San Quentin) | £250 – £500 | Highest cost; for advanced bonus features with maximum win potential |
Multiple Bonus Buy Options
Some games offer multiple bonus buy options at different price points, each triggering a different feature or a different level of the bonus. For example, NoLimit City slots often have tiered bonus buys: a cheaper option that triggers the standard free spins, and a much more expensive option that triggers the premium feature (such as "Insane" free spins) with enhanced mechanics and higher maximum win potential.
Popular Bonus Buy Slots in 2026
These are the most played and most requested bonus buy slots at non GamStop casinos, based on player data and our testing experience.
Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)
The undisputed king of bonus buy slots. Gates of Olympus features Zeus hurling multipliers onto the grid during the free spins round, with multipliers that accumulate across the entire bonus. The bonus buy costs 100x and the maximum win is 5,000x. With 96.50% RTP at non GamStop casinos, it offers excellent value compared to the reduced 91.50% UKGC version.
Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
A candy-themed tumble slot with multiplier bombs during free spins. The 100x bonus buy triggers 10 free spins with random multipliers of 2x to 100x dropping onto the reels. The maximum win is 21,175x your stake. The vibrant visuals and consistent multiplier action make this one of the most entertaining bonus buys available.
The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
An upgrade of the original Dog House with Megaways mechanics (up to 117,649 paylines) and sticky wilds with multipliers during free spins. The 100x bonus buy can deliver extraordinary results when multiple sticky wilds with high multipliers land on the reels. Maximum win: 12,305x.
Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming)
A Wild West themed slot with a unique duel feature during the bonus round. The bonus buy costs 80x for the standard free spins and 200x for the enhanced Great Train Robbery feature. With a maximum win of 12,500x and high volatility, it delivers some of the most dramatic moments in slot streaming.
Fruit Party (Pragmatic Play)
A cluster-pays slot where identical fruits in groups of 5 or more form winning combinations. During the bonus round, random multipliers of 2x to 256x can appear on winning symbols. At 100x for the bonus buy and a maximum win of 5,000x, it offers a slightly lower-risk bonus buy experience compared to the extremely volatile options.
Top 15 Bonus Buy Slots at Non GamStop Casinos
Our curated list of the 15 best bonus buy slots available in 2026, ranked by a combination of RTP, gameplay quality, maximum win potential, and overall entertainment value.
| # | Slot | Provider | Buy Cost | RTP | Max Win | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.50% | 5,000x | High |
| 2 | Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.48% | 21,175x | High |
| 3 | Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | 80x / 200x | 96.38% | 12,500x | Very High |
| 4 | The Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.55% | 12,305x | High |
| 5 | Money Train 3 | Relax Gaming | 80x | 96.10% | 100,000x | Very High |
| 6 | Mental | NoLimit City | 80x / 500x | 96.24% | 66,666x | Extreme |
| 7 | Fruit Party | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.47% | 5,000x | High |
| 8 | Tombstone RIP | NoLimit City | 66x / 500x | 96.28% | 300,000x | Extreme |
| 9 | San Quentin | NoLimit City | 80x / 400x | 96.20% | 150,000x | Extreme |
| 10 | Chaos Crew | Hacksaw Gaming | 80x | 96.30% | 10,000x | Very High |
| 11 | Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.50% | 4,000x | High |
| 12 | Sugar Rush | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.50% | 5,000x | High |
| 13 | Starlight Princess | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.50% | 5,000x | High |
| 14 | Fire in the Hole | NoLimit City | 66x / 400x | 96.06% | 60,000x | Extreme |
| 15 | Misery Mining | NoLimit City | 66x / 500x | 96.09% | 30,000x | Extreme |
Best Non GamStop Casinos for Bonus Buy Slots
To enjoy bonus buy slots with the original high-RTP versions and the full feature buy option enabled, you need to play at non GamStop casinos. These are our tested and recommended options.
Lucki Casino
Lucki Casino offers the complete bonus buy experience with over 5,000 games from Pragmatic Play, NoLimit City, Hacksaw Gaming, Relax Gaming, and more. Every bonus buy slot runs at its original, unmodified RTP. The welcome bonus of 100% up to £500 plus 100 free spins gives you extra funds to explore the extensive bonus buy library.
1Red Casino
1Red Casino has the largest game library on our list with over 5,000 titles from 60+ providers, including every major bonus buy provider. The massive £1,500 welcome package gives you significant bonus funds to use on bonus buy features. Crypto withdrawals are processed within hours.
Kaasino
Kaasino's 200% match with just 30x wagering is the best value for bonus buy players. A £200 deposit becomes £600, giving you substantial funds to use on bonus buys. The 30x wagering is achievable even when using the feature buy option. Withdrawal processing is the fastest we have tested at 2-12 hours.
MyStake
MyStake is one of the most established and trusted non GamStop casinos, operating since 2020 with over 6,000 games. Every bonus buy slot is available with the feature fully enabled at original RTPs. The 150% welcome bonus with 30x wagering provides excellent value, and 24/7 live chat support is always available.
Strategy and Bankroll Tips for Bonus Buy Slots
Bonus buy slots are inherently high-variance. Here are practical strategies to help you manage your bankroll and get the most from the feature.
Budget Per Session, Not Per Bonus Buy
Decide your total session budget before you start, then work out how many bonus buys that allows. If your budget is £200 and you are buying at 100x with a £0.50 bet (£50 per buy), you have 4 attempts. Plan accordingly.
Expect Most Bonus Buys to Lose
Statistically, the majority of individual bonus buys will return less than the purchase price. The occasional big hit makes up the average over time. Do not be discouraged by several consecutive losing buys — this is normal variance. If this is uncomfortable for you, bonus buy slots may not be the right choice.
Lower Your Bet for Bonus Buys
If your normal bet is £1 per spin, consider reducing to £0.20 or £0.50 for bonus buys. This keeps the cost per buy manageable and allows more attempts within your budget.
Set a Win Target and Cash Out
If you hit a big bonus buy win, cash out a portion immediately. It is common for players to reinvest all winnings into more bonus buys and end up with nothing. Discipline is everything.
Understand the Game Before Buying
Play a new slot in base game mode first (or in demo mode if available) to understand the bonus mechanics before committing to a bonus buy. Know what you are paying for.
Never Chase with Bonus Buys
Chasing losses with bonus buys is one of the fastest ways to deplete a bankroll. Each buy is an independent event with no memory of previous results. If you have reached your session budget, stop. For more tips on maximising your play, see our bonus maximisation guide.
Bankroll Rule of Thumb
For bonus buy sessions, we recommend having a bankroll of at least 10-15 bonus buys. If you are buying at £50 per bonus, your session bankroll should be at least £500-750. This gives you enough attempts to experience the natural variance of the feature. Playing with fewer than 5 bonus buys in your bankroll is extremely high risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bonus buy slots?
Bonus buy slots (also called feature buy slots) are online slot games that allow you to pay a premium to instantly trigger the bonus round, rather than waiting for it to activate naturally through gameplay. The cost is typically 50x to 500x your base bet. For example, if you are playing at £1 per spin, the bonus buy might cost £100 to instantly access the free spins or bonus feature.
Why are bonus buy slots banned in the UK?
The UK Gambling Commission banned the bonus buy feature in October 2019 for all UKGC-licensed operators. The UKGC determined that the feature increases gambling intensity and risk, as it allows players to spend very large amounts on a single action. The ban applies only to UKGC-licensed casinos; internationally licensed non GamStop casinos continue to offer the feature.
Can UK players still access bonus buy slots?
Yes. While UKGC-licensed casinos cannot offer the bonus buy feature, UK players can access bonus buy slots at non GamStop casinos operating under international licences (such as Curaçao, Anjouan, or Malta MGA). There is no UK law preventing individual players from using the feature at offshore sites.
Is the RTP different when buying the bonus?
In most cases, the bonus buy RTP is identical to or slightly higher than the base game RTP. The difference is usually 0-0.2%. This is because you are bypassing the lower-paying base game spins and going directly to the feature. However, variance increases significantly, meaning individual results can deviate more dramatically from the theoretical average.
What are the most popular bonus buy slots?
The most popular bonus buy slots include Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play), Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play), The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play), Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming), Fruit Party (Pragmatic Play), Mental (NoLimit City), San Quentin (NoLimit City), Chaos Crew (Hacksaw Gaming), Money Train 3 (Relax Gaming), and Tombstone RIP (NoLimit City).
How much does a bonus buy typically cost?
Bonus buy costs vary by game and are expressed as a multiplier of your base bet. Common costs range from 50x to 500x. Gates of Olympus costs 100x (so £100 at a £1 bet), Sweet Bonanza costs 100x, and some NoLimit City slots can cost up to 500x for their premium features. Always check the specific cost within the game before purchasing.
Is buying the bonus worth it mathematically?
From a pure RTP perspective, the bonus buy often offers slightly better returns than base game play. However, the increased variance means you need a substantially larger bankroll to weather losing bonus buys. Most individual bonus rounds return less than the purchase price, with occasional big wins making up the statistical average. It is a higher-risk, higher-reward way to play.
Which non GamStop casinos are best for bonus buy slots?
Our recommended non GamStop casinos for bonus buy slots include Lucki Casino (5,000+ games, original RTPs), 1Red Casino (5,000+ games, £1,500 welcome package), Kaasino (200% bonus, 30x wagering), and MyStake (6,000+ games, established since 2020). All offer the full bonus buy feature on compatible games at original RTP versions.
Summary
Bonus buy slots offer an exciting, fast-paced way to play online slots — instantly accessing the most thrilling part of the game without waiting through hundreds of base game spins. While banned at UKGC-licensed casinos since 2019, the feature remains fully available at non GamStop casinos operating under international licences.
The key to enjoying bonus buy slots responsibly is understanding the mathematics: most individual bonus buys will not be profitable, the variance is extreme, and you need an adequate bankroll to weather the inevitable losing streaks. Set clear budgets, never chase losses, and treat each bonus buy as entertainment rather than an investment.
For our full list of tested and recommended non GamStop casinos, visit our best non GamStop casinos page. For information on slot RTPs and how non GamStop casinos compare to UKGC sites, read our RTP and house edge guide.
Gamble Responsibly
Bonus buy slots are high-volatility features that can lead to rapid losses. Never spend more than you can afford to lose, and be honest with yourself about whether your gambling is under control. If you need help, contact GamCare (0808 8020 133) or visit our Responsible Gambling page.