What is Buy Feature (Bonus Buy)?
A slot feature that allows players to pay a premium (typically 50–100× the base stake) to immediately access the bonus round, bypassing the base game. Restricted for under-18s in the UK; some regulators have banned it outright.
In Depth: Buy Feature (Bonus Buy)
Bonus buy features are controversial from a responsible gambling perspective because they allow players to escalate their spend rapidly. In the UK:
- Players aged 18–24 face a £5/spin stake limit on online slots
- The UKGC has discussed restricting bonus buy features further
When evaluating a bonus buy, consider the expected value: a 100× buy for a bonus with a 50% hit frequency and average 30× payout would offer -40% expected value vs base price. The premium is rarely mathematically justified — it simply skips the wait.
Related Terms
Bonus Round
A special feature within a slot game, typically triggered by landing scatter symbols or specific combinations, that offers enhanced prizes such as free spins, multipliers, or a pick-and-win game. Most of a slot's variance (big win potential) is concentrated in the bonus round.
RTP (Return to Player)
The theoretical percentage of all wagered money a game pays back to players over an infinite number of rounds. A slot with 96% RTP returns £96 for every £100 wagered on average. The inverse of the house edge.
Variance (Volatility)
Describes how a slot distributes its payouts — the balance between win frequency and win size. Low variance means frequent small wins; high variance means rare but potentially large wins. Also called volatility.