Bonus Buy Feature Slots UK – What You Need to Know
Bonus Buy features are a popular addition to online slots in many markets, allowing players to access bonus rounds directly rather than waiting for them to trigger naturally. However, in the UK, these features are not permitted on sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
This blog post explores what Bonus Buy features are, why they are prohibited in the UK, and how they affect gameplay, payouts, volatility, and RTP.
Read on to find out more.
Understanding Bonus Buy Features in Slots
A Bonus Buy feature gives players the option to gain access to special rounds, such as extra spins, without waiting for them to appear in the base game.
Instead of relying on normal spins, the player may pay an amount shown on-screen, usually based on the stake, to enter the round directly. This amount might be higher than the cost of a typical spin, which is a key part of its appeal in some markets.
In the UK, however, this type of feature is not offered on licensed sites. The following section explains why regulators have prohibited it and how this connects to design standards and player considerations.
Why Are Bonus Buy Features Banned in the UK?
In the UK, Bonus Buy options are not allowed on licensed sites. One reason is that these features might lead to larger sums being spent quickly in a session. Being able to skip to a high-impact round may encourage fast, high-cost choices, which can make budgeting harder for some players.
Another concern is the possibility of players trying to recover losses by paying for additional rounds in quick succession. This behaviour conflicts with protections designed to support measured play.
UK technical rules also influence this position. The Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards set requirements for how online slot features must operate. Bonus Buy features have been found inconsistent with these standards, which is why licensed sites do not offer them.
Licensed operators instead provide tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and reality checks to help players monitor sessions. Understanding these points can help explain how Bonus Buys affect the pace of slots in markets where they are allowed.
How Does the Bonus Buy Option Change Gameplay?
In markets outside the UK, a Bonus Buy feature allows a player to access a bonus round immediately by paying an amount linked to the stake, rather than waiting for it to appear during standard play.
This alters the sequence of spins. The base game may receive less attention, and the session becomes focused on the purchased round. Because the cost is paid upfront, there are fewer, overall spins, and the amounts involved in individual rounds can be larger compared with normal play.
Once again, this feature is not permitted on UK-licensed sites. The restriction is in place to support player well-being, ensuring that play remains consistent with regulatory protections such as spending limits, time-outs, and reality checks.
Do Bonus Buy Features Affect Slot Payouts?
Outside the UK, a player who hypothetically pays to enter a bonus round skips the base game and goes directly to the section of the slot that can contain higher potential outcomes.
The cost of entering the round affects the overall result. For example, if a bonus round costs 100 times the stake and returns 70 times the stake, that attempt would represent a net loss.
Developers may also adjust certain elements within the purchased round. The distribution of outcomes or the way modifiers appear can differ slightly from standard play, which is intended to balance the game’s overall return profile.
What Impact Do Bonus Buys Have on Slot Volatility and RTP?
Although previously noted, it’s worth emphasising again that UK-licensed sites do not offer Bonus Buy features. In markets where they exist, these features are generally associated with higher volatility.
Volatility describes how much the size and frequency of outcomes can vary, and concentrating spins into purchased rounds may result in fewer smaller returns and more pronounced peaks.
RTP, or Return to Player, is a theoretical figure represented as a percentage that represents what a game might return to players, on average, over many spins. For example, a 96% RTP indicates that £96 could be returned for every £100 hypothetically spent, although results in individual sessions may differ significantly.
When a bonus round is bought, the RTP calculation may focus on that round alone rather than including the base game. Some games publish separate RTPs for standard and purchased modes, while others combine them. RTP remains an average over time, not a prediction for a single session.
In the UK, the absence of Bonus Buy options ensures that sessions follow standard spin patterns, helping maintain consistency with regulatory protections.
Are Bonus Buy Features Available Across Different Slot Types?
In markets where they are permitted, Bonus Buy features appear across a wide variety of slot types, including classic video slots, Megaways releases, cluster-pay titles, and branded games. The feature is designed to integrate with the game’s theme and layout, rather than being limited to a single style of slot.
As highlighted throughout this post, UK-licensed sites do not offer Bonus Buy options. This is in line with regulatory requirements aimed at limiting high-value purchases in a single session and supporting measures that help players manage their play. On UK sites, any bonus round must be reached through standard gameplay.
If gambling is affecting your well-being or finances, support is available. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential guidance and advice.
Overall, Bonus Buy features offer an alternative way to access bonus rounds in some markets, but they aren’t available on UK-licensed sites. Knowing how these features work and why they’re restricted in the UK can help you make more informed choices and play responsibly.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
