Bonus Buy Slots – Can You Buy The Bonus On Slots In The UK?

Bonus buy slots first appeared in the UK in 2017 and quickly drew interest by offering an alternative route into special parts of a slot game. At the time, this option appeared to change how players approached bonus features, and it did not take long for it to attract attention beyond players alone.

As interest grew, regulatory scrutiny increased. Over time, this led to important changes that reshaped how such features could be offered to UK players.

In this blog post, we look at bonus buy slots step by step. We start with a simple explanation of the concept, then move on to how availability differs across regions today. Finally, we explain why these features were removed from UK-licensed casinos and the reasoning behind that decision.

Read on to learn more, and remember that gambling should be treated as entertainment rather than a way to generate income.

What Are Bonus Buy Slots?

Bonus buy slots are slot games that include an option allowing a player, if they choose to take part, to access a bonus feature directly rather than waiting for it to appear through standard spins. At a basic level, this involves paying extra to enter a part of the game that would otherwise require time and repeated play to trigger.

As online slots developed, game designers began adding a wider range of features intended to maintain player interest. These additions laid the groundwork for bonus buy mechanics, even though the broader implications were not always clear at the outset.

Many modern slot games contain several special features. These might include free spins, expanding wild symbols, multipliers, cascading reels, or interactive bonus rounds. In some titles, jackpots also form part of the design. Ordinarily, these features only activate after specific symbol combinations land on the reels. For example, a player may need several scatter symbols to appear, or particular icons may need to be collected across multiple spins.

Slot games operate using random number generators (RNGs), meaning outcomes remain unpredictable. A bonus feature might trigger quickly, or it might require a very large number of spins. This uncertainty forms part of how slot games function and influences both outcomes and spending behaviour.

The bonus buy option addressed this uncertainty directly. Instead of waiting for a feature to activate naturally, a player could choose to pay a fixed price to enter the bonus immediately. This price was usually displayed as a multiple of the base stake, such as 50x or 100x the selected spin amount. After payment, the game would move straight into the bonus round, using the same rules that apply if it triggered through normal play.

Although this option may appear appealing, it is important to understand that buying a bonus does not alter how the game is calculated. The return to player (RTP) and volatility are set within the game design. Some titles referenced small RTP differences for purchased bonuses, though these details were defined in the game information and did not provide assured outcomes. If a bonus is purchased, the result might be higher than the amount paid, close to it, or lower.

Bonus buy options may also be described as feature buys or feature drops. Despite differing terminology, the underlying concept remains the same: paying to bypass the usual trigger conditions. Aside from this element, these slots function in the same way as other online slot games. Players are advised to decide spending limits in advance and to stop playing if the experience no longer feels entertaining.

Slots Where You Can Buy The Bonus – Do They Exist?

Bonus buy slot games still exist globally, though availability depends on jurisdiction. In certain regions outside the UK, licensed casinos may offer these features as part of their game selection, provided they meet local regulatory requirements designed to protect players.

For UK players, availability is far more restricted. Many well-known slot titles remain accessible, though the option to purchase direct entry into bonus rounds has been removed. Players using UK-licensed casinos may recognise a game yet notice that the bonus buy button is absent.

All casinos operating legally in the UK must hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This licence requires compliance with the Remote Technical Standards (RTS), which govern game mechanics, transparency, and player protection. Updates to these standards led to the removal of bonus buy features from slot games offered to UK audiences.

Players should approach any website claiming to provide bonus buy slots to UK customers with caution. Such claims often suggest that the operator does not hold a UKGC licence. Unlicensed sites are not subject to the same requirements relating to game testing, protection of player funds, or dispute resolution.

Selecting a properly licensed casino helps ensure that games are independently tested and that player support tools are available. These tools may include deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion schemes, all of which support responsible gambling. Anyone choosing to play should consider using these options to keep gambling within personally acceptable boundaries.

Why Were Bonus Buy Slots Banned?

The removal of bonus buy features in the UK followed a broader review by the UKGC into online gambling products and their potential to cause harm. This review examined how certain mechanics might influence spending behaviour, particularly among players who may already be vulnerable.

In January 2021, the UKGC announced updates to the Remote Technical Standards aimed at reducing gambling-related harm. These updates included a ban on mechanics that allow players to pay to access or accelerate entry into bonus rounds. UK-licensed operators were required to apply these changes later in 2021.

One concern involved the level of spending associated with bonus buy options. Purchasing a bonus typically requires a stake significantly higher than a standard spin. Repeatedly buying bonuses may lead to rapid increases in spending, especially if several bonus rounds return less than the amount paid. Although the underlying mathematics of the game remains unchanged, the speed and scale of wagering may differ considerably.

Regulators also noted that bonus buying could undermine existing player protection measures. Standard slot play involves repeated spins at lower stake levels, with natural pauses between decisions. Buying bonuses compresses this process, allowing large wagers to be placed almost instantly. This intensity was considered problematic for players already experiencing gambling-related difficulties.

Another issue related to perception. Bonus buying might appear to offer improved value by skipping the wait for a feature, though it does not increase overall chances of winning. Outcomes remain random, and there is no assurance of recovering the purchase cost. This mismatch between perception and reality contributed to the decision to remove the feature.

By removing bonus buy options, the UKGC sought to reduce impulsive spending and keep slot games aligned with responsible gambling principles.

Conclusion

Bonus buying is no longer permitted at UK-licensed online casinos due to concerns relating to player protection, spending behaviour, and gambling-related harm. Although these features were popular for a period, regulators concluded that they placed undue pressure on some players. Since the revised technical standards came into effect, UK players have not had access to bonus buy mechanics.

UK players may still choose to play a wide range of online slot games, including many titles that previously featured bonus buy options. The main difference is that bonus rounds must now be reached through standard gameplay rather than direct purchase. This approach reflects the UK’s emphasis on responsible gambling and player welfare.

Anyone choosing to gamble online should always select casinos licensed to operate in the UK. Licensed operators provide fair games, protect personal information, and offer access to support services if gambling no longer feels like entertainment. Setting limits, taking regular breaks, and seeking help if gambling starts to feel problematic are all important steps.

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**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.