A Bonus Buy is a slot game feature that allows players to directly purchase immediate access to a game's bonus round or free spins feature, bypassing the base game. Popularized by providers such as Big Time Gaming and NoLimit City, this mechanism offers a shortcut to the most anticipated and often highest-paying part of a slot's gameplay, directly influencing slot mechanics.

How Bonus Buy Works

The core concept of a Bonus Buy (sometimes referred to as a feature drop) is to provide instant access to a game's special features, which are typically triggered randomly during regular play.

• Cost: Players pay a fixed multiplier of their current stake, commonly 100x (e.g., a $1 bet requires a $100 purchase to buy free spins or other bonus rounds).
• RTP Impact: Often, engaging the Bonus Buy feature slightly increases the game's theoretical Return to Player (RTP). This is because it removes the lower-paying base game spins, focusing gameplay on the higher-paying bonus rounds, which frequently involve high volatility for potentially larger wins. For example, RTP might rise from 96.0% to 96.5%.
• Volatility & Mechanics: Bonus rounds, by nature, often exhibit high volatility, meaning wins can be significant but less frequent. The Bonus Buy option caters to players who prefer this high-risk, high-reward playstyle and want to experience the peak slot mechanics without waiting.

Regulation and Responsible Gambling

While prevalent in many markets, the Bonus Buy feature is banned in certain jurisdictions, notably the UK by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This restriction is in place due to responsible gambling concerns, as these features can encourage bypassing engaging gameplay directly to high-stakes rounds, potentially increasing rapid spend and accelerating gambling losses for vulnerable players.