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Bonus Buy Slots – How To Unlock a Paid Shortcut to the Big Prize

Bonus buy slots are casino games that allow you to pay a fixed fee, skip the base game and get straight to the bonus round.

Top 10 Slots With Bonus Buy Feature To Take For A Spin

Fruit Party

 Software: Pragmatic Play
  •  Return to player (RTP):  95.48%
  •  Volatility:  Medium
  •  Release date:  2020
  •  Game type:  7x7
  •  Features:  Avalanche / Cascading wins, Cluster Pays, FreeSpins, Multiplier, Random multiplier, RTP range, Scatter symbols, Wild

We recommend playing at:
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Fruit Party - Unavailable

Avalon II

Avalon II Logo
 Software: Microgaming
  •  Return to player (RTP):  96.5%
  •  Volatility:  Medium
  •  Release date:  2014
  •  Game type:  Video slots
  •  Features:   FreeSpins, Multiplier, Wild

We recommend playing at:
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Avalon II Review

Dead or Alive II

 Software: NetEnt
  •  Return to player (RTP):  96.82%
  •  Volatility:  High
  •  Release date:  2019
  •  Game type:  5x3
  •  Features:  Buy Feature, FreeSpins, FreeSpins Multiplier, Multiplier, Respins, Scatter symbols, Sticky Wilds, Wild

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Dead or Alive II - Unavailable

White Rabbit Megaways

White Rabbit Megaways Logo
 Software: Big Time Gaming
  •  Return to player (RTP):  97.7%
  •  Volatility:  High
  •  Release date:  2017
  •  Game type:  5 Reels, 6 Rows
  •  Features:  Free Spins, Bonus Wilds, up to 117,649 Megaways™ as standard that can go up to 248,832 with Extending Reels™.

We recommend playing at:
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White Rabbit Megaways Review

The Hand of Midas

 Software: Pragmatic Play
  •  Return to player (RTP):  95.5%
  •  Volatility:  High
  •  Release date:  2021
  •  Game type:  5x3
  •  Features:  Bonus Bet, Buy Feature, FreeSpins, Multiplier, Additional Wilds, Scatter symbols, Sticky Wilds, Wild

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The Hand of Midas - Unavailable

Perfect Potions Megaways

Perfect Potions Megaways logo
 Software: Other
  •  Return to player (RTP):  96.31%
  •  Volatility:  High
  •  Release date:  2021
  •  Game type:  Video slots
  •  Features:  Cascading wins, Buy Feature, FreeSpins, FreeSpins Multiplier, Megaways, Multiway, Reelset Changing, Scatter symbols, Symbol Swap, Wild

We recommend playing at:
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Perfect Potions Megaways - Unavailable

What Is a Bonus Buy at Online Slots?

There is nothing more exciting than unlocking a free spins round or an exciting bonus game when spinning the reels at your favourite online slot, is there?

Whilst some players prefer the grind of getting there organically by playing as much as possible, others would rather pay a fixed sum to reach the same outcome.

That is essentially what the bonus buy feature does at online slots – it helps players better use the money they would have spent on unsuccessful spins in the base game on getting to the most lucrative features of the slot, where big wins can be triggered.

Where Is the Bonus Buy Feature Available

The bonus buy feature was first introduced in 2017 by software developer Big Time Gaming.
They not only designed the first Megaways™slot, White Rabbit Megaways™, but they also created an innovative special feature.

The bonus buy option would later be integrated in other slots by various game developers such as Pragmatic Play, Stakelogic, QuickSpin or iSoftBet.

Some of the best bonus buy slots have gained massive worldwide popularity, mainly because players appreciated the flexibility to tailor their game session – e.g. Buffalo King Megaways™, Sweet Bonanza, Deadwood, Aztec Pyramid Megaways™, Thor Infinity Reels etc.

It’s worth noting that not every online slot offers a bonus buy feature. Due to local regulations, such slots are only available in certain jurisdictions.

Bonus Buy Slots in the UK

Although these slots are legal in places like the European Union and Canada, they have also stirred up controversy in other parts of the world.

Such is the case of the United Kingdom – in 2019, the UK Gambling Commission banned the feature from their licensed casinos. Players residing in the UK are currently forbidden from playing bonus buy slots. Developers can still advertise their online slots here, but only without the feature buy.

The regulator argued that buy bonus slots put vulnerable players at risk, since they encourage spending a large chunk of money up front to get to the bonus round, instead of smaller bets along the way.

Steps To Follow to Buy the Bonus at Online Slots

Buying the bonus is a very simple process that saves you from having to land 3 scatter symbols anywhere on the reels.

Once you’ve found an online slot that has this feature, all you need to do is open the game window, select the „buy bonus” option, pay a percentage of your total bet (between 50x-150x on average) and confirm.

Then you will be taken straight to the bonus round or the free spins feature of the game. Some slots may also allow you to buy extras such as starting multipliers.

This will give you a better control of your game session and more flexibility, as you know exactly the time and cost it takes to get to the most exciting features of the slot.

Even if you bought your way in, the game rules and mechanics will stay the same in the bonus round, as they would if you triggered it organically.

Some slots can also give you other perks if you buy the bonus, such as a higher RTP.

Top 5 Slots With Bonus Buy in 2024

#1 White Rabbit

White Rabbit Demo Game

(Source: Big Time Gaming)

Big Time Gaming’s White Rabbit is the first slot to introduce the innovative Megaways™ mechanic and feature buy. If you can catch the fluffy white rabbit on the reels and form lucrative combos with other symbols such as the Queen of Hearts or the Cheshire Cat, you’re looking at a huge maximum payout of 13 000x your stake.

For a cost of 100x your stake, you can buy your way into the free spins round and unlock up to 248 832 ways to win. The bonus round offers up to 15 free spins – during the feature, random symbols get added onto the reels (wilds, cupcake symbols etc.).

If the cupcake symbol appears on the reels, it’s going to split into two other random symbols and increase the size of the reel. This will create more opportunities to land a lucrative combination and trigger a payout.

#2 Money Train 2

Money Train 2 Demo Game

(Source: Relax Gaming)

Money Train 2 is a polished 2020 sequel to Relax Gaming’s earlier release, Money Train. It has a high level of volatility and a Western theme.

Buying the bonus is possible for 100x your stake and the maximum win is capped at 50 000x your bet. The game offers a Money Cart bonus round if you can trigger 3 scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Here you can unlock 11 different types of symbols (the Collector, the Payer, the Sniper etc.).

The feature gets you started with 3 spins but there are plenty of chances to win more and, once a reel is filled with symbols, the game adds another column to help you score even more. If you only have 2 bonus symbols appear, the game’s Respin Feature comes to play. The multiplier will increase by 1x for all non-winning combinations until a win gets triggered.

#3 Fruit Party

Fruit Party Demo Game

(Source: Pragmatic Play)

Fruit Party is a vintage video slot by Pragmatic Play, perfect for fans of the casino classics. It has simple graphics but entertaining gameplay across a 7×7 reel structure.

The game has 3 exciting bonus features – Tumbling Reels (symbols involved in a winning combination get removed from the reels as new ones cascade from above), Random Multipliers (between 2x to 256x) and Free Spins (between 10, 11 and 12 for 3, 4 or 5 golden fruit symbols or scatters).

The cluster pays mechanic ensures consistent wins of up to 5000x your stake.
#4 Dead or Alive II

Dead or Alive II Demo Game

(Source: NetEnt)

Dead or Alive II is one of Netent’s most successful and long-awaited sequels. It is a 5 reel, 3 row video slot with a high level of volatility, but an explosive win potential of up to 100 000x your stake.

The slot’s bonus features get triggered by at least 3 scatter symbols. If you can get a scatter on every reel, you’ll win 2500x your stake. If you manage to trigger 12 free spins, this will take you to the free spins bonus rounds.

You can choose between 3 options here – Train Heist, Old Saloon and High Noon. All features will reward you with increasing multipliers, sticky wild symbols and even more free spins.

#5 Wild Chapo

Wild Chapo Demo Game

(Source: Relax Gaming)

Wild Chapo is a fun, Mexican-themed video slot developed by Relax Gaming. The base game is just as exciting as the bonus feature, as players can enjoy sticky wild respins and multiplier wilds.

The game offers a total of 4 bonus features – Colossal Wilds, Expanding Wilds (if you get a bomb symbol that explodes in the base game, all symbols above get turned into wilds), Re-Spins (if you land 2 bonus symbols) and a Free Spins feature (triggered by 3, 4 or 5 scatters anywhere on the reels that’ll unlock 7, 9 or 11 free spins).

The atmosphere is light and relaxing, with animal symbols leading the action (donkeys, dogs, owls). The maximum possible win is 10 000x your stake and buying your way into the bonus round is cheaper than for other slots – only 60x your stake.

Bonus Buy Slots RTP

One key aspect to remember is that most feature buy slots will incentivize players to make that investment by offering an above average RTP.

For example, Money Train 2 from Relax Gaming offers an RTP of 96.40% but, if you buy the bonus, it gets increased to 98%. Other slots that increase the RTP score if you use the feature buy are Buffalo Rising Megaways™ and Moriarty Megaways™.

On the other hand, it’s not always a fixed rule and some developers have also done the opposite, making the feature less appealing to purchase. Such is the case of SG Digital’s Perfect Potions Megaways™. The RTP offered is 97.31%, but if you use the feature buy, it gets brought down to 96.07%.

Best Casinos With Bonus Buy Slots

If you’re ready to try the best bonus buy slots for free or for real money, here’s some great places that host them:

  • Casumo – they offer a selection of over 2000 video slots, including dozens of Megaways™ titles with bonus buy feature such as Safari Gold Megaways™ and Extra Chili Megaways™
  • Playamo – the casino not only welcomes you with a generous bonus and a VIP program, but it also has a dedicated „bonus buy” section with quality slots from Big Time Gaming or Relax Gaming
  • Wildz – aside from free spins and a matched deposit bonus at registration, Wildz also has a „feature buy” category with many popular classics like Sweet Bonanza or Aztec Twist
  • Unibet – this renowned international casino has one of the most impressive selections of slots with bonus games, many of which have explosive maximum wins – e.g. Rick and Morty Megaways™

Pros and Cons of Buying the Bonus

You may be wondering – should I take that paid shortcut after all or keep playing the game and rely on my own luck? Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of buying the bonus:

Pros

  • Higher RTP
  • Chance to score bigger wins
  • Skip the base game
  • Flexibility to tailor your game session
  • Save time otherwise spent on unsuccessful spins

Cons

  • Not all slots have the feature
  • Not available to UK players
  • Cost can be high
  • Wins are not guaranteed

Is It Worth Buying the Bonus?

Short answer? It all depends on what you’re aiming to gain from your game session.

Buying the bonus is definitely worth it if you want to unlock more features at an online slot and don’t have the patience to trigger them organically. The bonus rounds is where cascading reels, expanding wilds, special symbols, multipliers or extra reels typically come to play.

Moreover, buying the bonus can be advantageous if you’re playing online slots with high volatility, where unlocking free spins/bonus rounds is harder to do.

Finally, some slots will give you higher RTP if you buy the bonus as an incentive, further increasing your chances to score big.

Bonus Buy Slots FAQs

Some of the best casinos to go for if you’re looking for a large selection of bonus buy slots are Dunder, LeoVegas, Casino Cruise, Unibet or Playamo .

Yes, but not on all of them, only on slots that offer a feature buy. This aspect will typically be clarified when you open the game window and you’ll be asked if you’d like to purchase the bonus or not.

Some of the most popular bonus buy slots are Genie Jackpots Megaways™, Money Train and Sweet Bonanza.

The feature was invented by Big Time Gaming and introduced in 2017 with their first Megaways™ slot, White Rabbit.

Claiming this bonus is definitely worth it if you want increased chances of getting life-changing wins. Also, if you’re playing a high volatility slot, buying the bonus can be a huge advantage, as it allows you to skip the base game.

Unfortunately, no. Following a 2019 decision by the UK Gambling Commission, all bonus buy slots have been banned in the UK.

Usually, yes, most developers will offer a higher RTP if you purchase the bonus, but there are some exceptions, too.

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Cristina Tudose

Cristina Tudose

Author Expert

I’ve been writing for the online casino industry for over 2 years now. During this time, I became passionate about player-centric content, especially slot and brand reviews.

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