Bonus Buy Feature: What You Need to Know
Bonus Buy features have become one of the most talked-about (and most misunderstood) mechanics in online slots. In simple terms, they let you pay an extra amount to trigger a slot’s bonus round instantly, rather than waiting for scatters to land naturally. For players who want faster access to free spins and bonus games, it can feel like a shortcut. For everyone else, it can be an expensive fast-track that changes the risk profile of a session in seconds.
With more studios building Bonus Buy into new releases, it’s worth knowing exactly how it works, what it really costs, and why availability can vary depending on where you play.
Bonus Buy, explained: paying to jump straight into the feature
A Bonus Buy (sometimes called ‘Buy Feature’ or ‘Feature Buy’) is an optional purchase that triggers a specific bonus round — usually free spins, sometimes a pick-and-click bonus, and occasionally a ‘super’ or ‘enhanced’ feature with stronger multipliers.
Instead of spinning at your chosen stake until the bonus lands, you pay a set price, typically shown as a multiple of your current bet (for example, 50x, 75x, or 100x your stake). If you’re spinning at €1, a 100x Bonus Buy would cost €100. The bonus round starts immediately after purchase.
That’s the appeal: speed and certainty of entering the bonus. The trade-off: you’re paying a premium for it, and the outcome is still random.
The key detail most players miss: it doesn’t ‘improve’ your chances of winning
Bonus Buy can feel like it should be ‘better value’ because it skips the build-up. In reality, it’s simply another way to wager, and it doesn’t remove variance. You can still buy a feature and receive a low return, including outcomes that pay less than the buy-in.
Developers price Bonus Buys to reflect the average cost of reaching the bonus naturally and the volatility of the feature. That pricing may be fair on paper, but it can be brutal in practice if you hit a cold streak.
Why Bonus Buy feels more intense than normal spins
Standard spins spread risk across time. Even if you’re betting €1 a spin, you’re making many smaller decisions. A Bonus Buy condenses that into a single, high-stakes moment.
That’s why sessions can swing quickly. A few buys at 100x each can cost the same as hundreds of base spins. If you’re used to managing bankroll through slower play, Bonus Buy can make your balance drop far faster than expected.
Availability isn’t universal (and can depend on your location)
One reason you’ll see Bonus Buy discussed differently across the industry is that availability can vary by jurisdiction and operator policies. Some regions restrict certain ‘instant access’ mechanics, and some casinos choose to disable the feature even if the slot supports it.
If you’re browsing a casino lobby and can’t find the Buy Feature button on a game where you’ve seen it elsewhere, it’s often down to local rules, operator settings, or game versioning rather than a glitch.
Bonus Buy vs bonuses: don’t confuse the two
A Bonus Buy is part of the game. A casino bonus (welcome offer, reload, free spins promotion) is part of the operator’s promotions. They can overlap in a way that matters.
For example, if you’re playing with a deposit match bonus, you’ll usually need to meet wagering requirements, and there may be maximum bet limits while you wager. Some casinos also restrict certain game features during bonus play. If you’re considering Bonus Buy while using a promotion, check the bonus terms carefully.
On brands such as AllStar Casino, promotional terms can include time limits, wagering requirements and stake caps while clearing bonus funds. Those rules affect how you play, especially if you’re tempted to use higher-cost features.
What it can cost in real terms (a quick, practical example)
Say you’re staking €0.50 on a slot:
- A 100x Bonus Buy costs €50.
- Four buys cost €200.
- If your session bankroll is €150, you can run out of money in just three clicks.
That doesn’t mean Bonus Buy is ‘bad’. It means it demands a different bankroll plan than normal spinning, because it front-loads spend.
Bonus Buy and volatility: the combination that catches people out
Many of the games that popularised Bonus Buy are high-volatility slots, where big wins are possible but infrequent. The Buy Feature pushes you straight into the highest-variance part of the game.
If you prefer steadier play, consider using smaller stakes, limiting the number of buys per session, or alternating between base spins and occasional feature purchases. It’s also worth setting a hard stop-loss before you start buying features, because it’s easy to chase a ‘better bonus’ after a poor result.
Provider trends: why you’re seeing more Buy Features now
Studios have leaned into Bonus Buy because it gives players more control over pacing and content. Instead of waiting for a bonus round, you can effectively choose a ‘bonus-only’ style of play.
Casinos with broad portfolios — including providers such as Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play, Push Gaming, and Hacksaw Gaming — often feature many titles where the mechanic is either available or a close variant exists, depending on the specific game build and operator settings.
If you’re exploring seasonal titles like Lucky Easter Slots, you’ll typically see feature-led design that makes bonus rounds the headline attraction (even if the entry method varies by game).
Smart safety checks before you hit ‘Buy’
Before purchasing a feature, take five seconds to confirm:
- The price is displayed as a multiple of your bet (and you’re happy with the real currency amount).
- You’re not playing under strict promotional rules that could limit stake size or affect withdrawals.
- You’ve set a budget for how many buys you’ll attempt, and you’ll stop when it’s reached.
Bonus Buy can be a fun way to experience a slot’s best moments without the wait, but it’s also one of the quickest ways to turn a casual session into a high-spend one. If you do use it, keep it deliberate, keep stakes sensible and use responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, reality checks and time-outs where available. For additional support and guidance, BeGambleAware and GamStop resources can help you stay in control.