The "Buy Bonus" or "Feature Buy" button you see on popular slots like Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza, and similar titles sells you an instant jump straight into the bonus round, skipping the normal wait entirely. It looks tempting — but the math behind this feature is riskier than it appears. In this guide, we break down the real cost and when it might actually make sense to use it.
⚡ Quick Summary
- ✓Bonus Buy typically costs between 50x and 100x your normal bet
- ✓RTP stays roughly the same over the long run, but short-term risk is far higher
- ✓Some platforms don't count it toward wagering requirements, or count it at a reduced rate
- ✓Some license regions (like the UK) have banned it outright
How Does Bonus Buy Work?
In a normal slot game, you typically reach the free spins round when certain symbols (scatters) land randomly — something that might only happen once every few hundred spins. The Bonus Buy feature skips that wait entirely: for a fixed fee, you go straight into the bonus round. That fee typically runs between 50x and 100x your normal bet; the exact multiplier varies by game.
The Real Cost Breakdown
Let's walk through an example: say you're playing a slot with a $20 bet, and the Bonus Buy fee is 100x.
| Calculation | Result |
|---|---|
| Normal bet | $20 |
| Bonus Buy multiplier | 100x |
| Bonus Buy cost ($20 × 100) | $2,000 |
That means a single click costs you a $2,000 bet. For comparison: if you spent that same $2,000 on normal play at $20 a spin, you'd get 100 spins — and within those 100 spins you'd likely trigger the bonus round organically at least a couple of times, on top of whatever smaller wins you'd pick up along the way from regular spins.
Does the RTP Stay the Same?
Providers generally state that Bonus Buy mode runs close to the game's standard RTP (typically around 96-97%). But the critical factor here is volatility, not RTP. Bonus Buy compresses all of the risk into a single moment. In normal play, losses spread out over hundreds of spins and feel gradual; with Bonus Buy, the loss is instant and large. You can check out our detailed guide to volatility to understand the concept in full.
Bonus Buy vs. Wagering Requirements
Be careful about using Bonus Buy while a welcome bonus is active: on some platforms, Bonus Buy spend doesn't count toward the wagering requirement at all, or counts at a reduced rate (compared to the standard 100% contribution most slots get). That can burn through your bonus money without you ever completing the wagering requirement.
Why Is It Banned in Some Countries?
In the UK, the regulator — the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) — banned bonus buy features in 2021 as part of a crackdown on "enhanced-pace" game mechanics, citing responsible gambling concerns: the feature was criticized for letting players spend a large stake in seconds, without pause, which was seen as raising the risk of overspending and impulsive betting. The ban applies only to UK-licensed platforms; on platforms operating under other license regions, such as Curaçao, the feature generally remains active. This is a good example of how the same game can ship with different rules depending on license region.
How Do Independent Test Labs Verify Bonus Buy?
Licensed providers are required to submit the Bonus Buy mode's mathematical model to independent testing labs — such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI — just like every other game mode. These labs run millions of simulated spins to confirm that the theoretical RTP of Bonus Buy mode matches what the provider has declared. You can find out how to check a platform's license and RNG certification in our license verification guide.
When Does It Make Sense — and When Doesn't It?
Worth Considering, If:
- It's a one-off try, using only the budget you've set aside for that session
- No bonus wagering requirement is active (you're playing with your own balance)
- You can fully accept losing that budget
Should Be Avoided, If:
- You have an active bonus wagering requirement and don't know its contribution rate
- You're trying to win back losses ("chasing losses")
- You'd be risking a large share of your budget in a single transaction