Bonus Buy Feature: What You Need to Know

The Bonus Buy feature lets you purchase a slot’s bonus round or free spins outright, skipping the base-game qualifying spins. Instead of waiting for scatter symbols or a pick-me round, you pay a fixed price—usually shown as a multiple of your current bet—to trigger the slot’s main feature immediately. It’s become popular because it gives instant access to the most lucrative parts of a game, but it also comes with higher risk and cost.

How the buy price works — quick math you should know

Buy prices vary by game and provider, and they’re typically expressed as X times your bet. Common ranges are roughly 50x to 200x your base bet, though some high-volatility titles charge more and some low-volatility titles charge less. The advertised “buy” price reflects the game’s internal chance of hitting the bonus round and the expected value of that feature. That means a cheap buy doesn’t guarantee value, and an expensive buy doesn’t guarantee a big payout.

If you want to test the numbers, compare the buy price to the slot’s RTP and the bonus-round win distribution shown in the game’s rules or help screen. For an idea of a title with an explicit buy feature, see our Greedy Goblins That Stole Christmas Slots review for details on its Buy Feature and bonus rounds.

Does buying a bonus change RTP or volatility?

Short answer: it depends. The theoretical RTP of a slot is calculated across all game outcomes, including bonus triggers. Some providers publish a separate RTP or “buy-RTP” for the feature purchase; others do not. Buying a bonus usually doesn’t magically increase the long-term RTP of the underlying game, but it concentrates your risk into fewer spins and raises short-term variance. In practical terms, Bonus Buys can make big swings more likely—both big wins and rapid losses.

Always check whether the provider displays the RTP for the bought feature and read any game-specific notes that explain how the buy price was calculated.

Where Bonus Buys are allowed — check your state and operator

Availability varies. Regulated U.S. casinos and operators decide whether to offer Bonus Buys, and some states or platforms restrict them. That means you may see the feature in one casino but not another, even for the same slot. Always confirm availability in the game lobby, or ask customer support if you aren’t sure. Also read the casino’s promotional terms—many casinos apply sticky-bonus rules, wagering conditions, or limits that affect how bought-feature wins are treated.

One common promotional setup on many sites is a “sticky” bonus with a wagering requirement applied to the deposit plus bonus (for example, 15x D+B) and a minimum deposit—terms you should understand before combining a Bonus Buy with a promotional balance.

Smart ways to use Bonus Buys without burning your bankroll

Use these practical controls to protect your funds:

• Check the buy price against the bonus-round win distribution, if available, and prefer buys that look fairly priced for the feature’s payouts.
• Set a fixed cap on how much you’ll spend on buys per session, and stick to it.
• Try demo mode first to understand how the bonus round plays and whether it matches your risk profile.
• Avoid using promotional funds or matched bonuses to buy features unless the terms explicitly allow it; sticky bonuses with 15x wagering can make cashing out complicated.
• Keep bets reasonable: don’t inflate your base bet just to lower the buy-multiple without considering total exposure.

Real-world examples and promotion interactions

Many casinos list promotional rules that affect Bonus Buys. For example, common promo policies include a 15x wagering requirement on deposit plus bonus, full contribution for video slots toward wagering, and short validity windows for free spins. Those rules can change how worthwhile a feature buy is when you’re playing with bonus funds, so read the T&Cs before you click “Buy.”

Safety checks before you hit the Buy button

Before committing money, confirm:

• The buy price and how it’s calculated.
• Whether bought-feature wins count toward bonus wagering, if you’re playing with promotional funds.
• Any maximum cashout or daily withdrawal limits that could affect large wins.
• The game’s RTP and volatility indicators, if provided.

Protect your play — responsible tips

Bonus Buys accelerate outcomes and spending. Set deposit limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options if you need them. Treat feature buys as optional entertainment spending, not a shortcut to profit. If you feel the urge to chase losses after purchasing features, pause and use the casino’s responsible-gambling tools.

Bonus Buys are a compelling way to get straight to the action, but they’re not for every bankroll or temperament. Do the math, read the rules, test in demo mode, and play within limits so you can enjoy the feature without surprises.