The bonus buy slots were first introduced in the UK in 2017 with the Big Time Gaming slot—White Rabbit. It was the first of the many slots that allowed you to buy the bonus feature round instead of waiting for it to trigger in-game.
However, in 2019, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) banned the buy-in feature from British online casinos. The slot could still be played as long as this specific feature was removed. This meant that no legal casino in the UK could allow gamers to buy a bonus in any slot game. Games with this feature are still available elsewhere, as other gambling authorities have not banned them.
The UKGC banned this feature in Irish slots and casino games as it felt that it was dangerous for problem gamblers, as it allowed them to pay money to head straight to the “business end” of the slot. Often, the bonus feature on slots makes gamers feel as though they are most certainly going to land a win. The punters thought they could land big wins more regularly by bypassing the gameplay to head straight to the bonus round.
What are Bonus Buy Slots?
Bonus buy slots are slot games in that you use money in your balance account to buy a bonus round. By default, you have to trigger this feature by activating the winning symbols. But when you purchase it, you skip the entire process of trying to land free spins symbols.
White Rabbit by Big Time Gaming is the first slot to offer the bonus buy feature. Gamers could pay a small fee in addition to the original stake, allowing them to jump straight to the bonus feature. It became popular with some gamers, who enjoyed the fact that they could spend money to head straight to the bonus round.
The Cost of the Bonus Buy Feature
Every online slot offers a different experience. As a result, there is no specific rule regarding the cost of the slot bonus round. Each game has its price.
On average, you can pay between 50x and 100x the stake, or even a higher amount in some cases. As you can see, the buy-in feature is quite expensive.
The amount players are charged on such games is based on the calculation of how much they are likely to pay to reach the bonus round if they played the game normally. For instance, if a particular slot offers 20 free spins, which are typically triggered after about 300 spins. You need to pay close to 300x the stake to activate the feature.
Playing slots typically yield some return through winning in the base game and the chance to trigger the bonus at any time. When you buy the bonus feature, you may lose considerable money.
Some people prefer the bonus buy feature, while others prefer to try their luck with normal gameplay. Both ways are right and wrong; it is entirely down to your taste. Bonus buy options are a good choice if you are impatient, but if you like to sit and enjoy the ride, going the usual way is fine.
