Bonus buy: paying a fixed price for the feature
A bonus buy lets you pay a set price, often 50 to 100 times your bet, to start a slot’s free games at once. The bought feature usually has a similar or slightly higher RTP. But each buy is a large, very volatile bet.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Bet size | Buy price at 100x | Typical result range |
|---|---|---|
| $0.20 | $20 | $0 to several hundred |
| $1 | $100 | $10 to several thousand |
| $2 | $200 | $20 to several thousand |
| $5 | $500 | $50 to tens of thousands |
Key numbers
Bonus buy in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- A bonus buy turns one bet into one large, high-risk wager.
- The RTP of the buy is listed in the help screen and can differ from base play.
- Many buys return less than their price; a few return much more.
- Licensed US online casinos limit or disable bonus buys in some states.
On the machine
Base game vs bonus buy
Base spin $1
Small bet, waits for scatters
Bonus buy $100
Free games start at once
Feature result
Paid $64 — less than the price
One buy is a single high-volatility bet.
Buy vs spin to trigger
| Approach | Cost to reach feature | Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Spin until it lands | Often 150 to 250 spins | Spread over time |
| Bonus buy | Fixed 50x to 100x | One large bet |
| Ante bet | Extra 25% per spin | Higher trigger chance |
Numbers vary by game.
How the price is set
Studios price the buy so its RTP is close to the game’s base RTP. A game with 96% RTP might price the buy at 100x with a feature RTP near 96.5%.
The exact figure is listed in the game rules on licensed sites.
If the buy RTP is lower than the base RTP, buying costs more over time than spinning for the feature.
Budget check
| Bankroll | Buys at $100 | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | 2 | Very high |
| $500 | 5 | High |
| $2,000 | 20 | Still swingy |
A few buys can use up a session budget.
Where bonus buys are allowed
Bonus buys are banned on UK-licensed sites since 2019. In the US, availability depends on each state regulator and the casino.
Some US online casinos show the feature but disable the buy button in certain states.
Sequence
Before you buy
Step 01
Read the rules
Find the buy price and RTP.
Step 02
Check your budget
One buy can be 100 bets.
Step 03
Lower your bet
The price scales with bet size.
Step 04
Set a stop
Decide how many buys at most.
Sweepstakes casinos
Many sweepstakes and social casinos offer bonus buys with virtual coins. The price and RTP rules can differ from licensed real-money casinos.
Treat them the same way: a buy is a large single bet.
Floor rules
Bonus buy terms
Know before you sit
- Bonus buy
- Paying to start the feature at once.
- Feature buy
- Another name for a bonus buy.
- Ante bet
- A higher bet for more frequent triggers.
- Buy RTP
- The return on the bought feature.
Track your buys
Write down the price and the result of each buy. After 20 or 30 buys, the average result will be close to the listed RTP, but the swings along the way can be large.
Demo mode first
Many licensed sites let you try a slot in demo mode where allowed. Running 10 demo buys shows how often a feature returns less than its price.
Common mistakes
- Buying at full bet size
- Lower the bet first.
- Ignoring the buy RTP
- It is in the rules.
- Chasing a big buy win
- Losses come fast.
- Assuming every state allows it
- Rules vary.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
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Questions before and after you play
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01Basics
What is a slot bonus buy?
An option to pay a fixed price to start a slot’s bonus round immediately. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
How much does a bonus buy cost?
Often 50 to 100 times your bet, sometimes more. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Is the RTP better?
It is often close to or slightly above the base game, but check the rules. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
02Risk
Is a bonus buy a good idea?
It is a large, volatile bet. Use it only within a set budget. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Can I lose the whole buy?
You usually win something, but many buys return less than the price. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Does buying change the odds of a big win?
The feature is the same, but you pay up front for it. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
03Where
Are bonus buys legal in the US?
It depends on the state regulator and the casino. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Are they banned in the UK?
Yes. The UK regulator banned bonus buys in 2019. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Do land slots have bonus buys?
Rarely. Most land machines do not offer them. Details vary by game, so check the help screen first.
Sources
- UK Gambling Commission — Online games design Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Bonus buy restrictions
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Slot research
- American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US casino industry data
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER