Bonus Buy Slots: Advantages & Controversies

If you are a slot enthusiast, you must have come across games offering the so-called Bonus Buy feature. More and more slot developers have been adding it to their releases lately. On most modern gambling sites, slot titles offering the Bonus Buy feature even make up a standalone category.

Undoubtedly, bonus buy slots have taken the online gambling industry by storm. This article discusses the advantages of playing them and controversies regarding the Bonus Buy feature that has made them fan-favourites.

Advantages of Playing Bonus Buy Slots

Bonus buy slots are gambling games that enable you to instantly enter a bonus feature, mainly free spins, at a certain price. What makes them unique is an extra feature that can go by various names, commonly referred to as the Bonus Buy feature.

Introduced by Big Time Gaming in 2017 with the White Rabbit slot, the Bonus Buy feature today comes in all shapes and sizes. However, the advantages of playing bonus buy slots are, in most cases, the same.

Access to Big Wins

Slot aficionados know that the biggest payouts are hidden within bonus features. Thanks to various modifiers, including extra Wilds or multipliers, you can create more winning combinations or hit higher payouts while playing free spins.

If you don’t want to wait for a bonus round to trigger at random, you can activate the Bonus Buy feature and unlock free spins immediately. Depending on the game you play, within free spins, you can benefit from extended reels with more ways to win, increasing multipliers and more.

Higher RTP

More often than not, the game’s RTP increases when the Bonus Buy feature is activated. With modifiers in play and enhanced winnings, a slot can pay better in the bonus round, which increases the theoretical return to the player.

In other words, if you use the Bonus Buy feature, you will benefit from a lower house edge. In some cases, the house edge can drop by 2.5%.

Bonus Buy Slot Controversies

Slot gameplay is all about luck, so entering free spins does not mean you will win big. Therefore, using the Bonus Buy feature does not guarantee high payouts. This extra feature comes with a price tag that can go over 100x the bet, so you must bear in mind that it involves greater risk. If Lady Luck does not smile upon you, you might end up not getting back the amount you have invested.

Another thing to consider is responsible gambling. The Bonus Buy feature requires you to wager more than you would normally. So, it can be detrimental to your bankroll if not used wisely.

To prevent players, particularly vulnerable ones with a gambling problem, from risking more than they can afford, the UK Gambling Commission outlawed bonus buy slots in 2019. So, if you access bonus buy slots in the UK, you won’t find the Bonus Buy or any other feature that requires extra money to play.

Closing Thoughts

If you live in a jurisdiction where you are allowed to use the Bonus Buy feature, you can take advantage of it from time to time. However, before you pay for it, take a look at your bankroll and see whether your budget allows you to play more rounds if the bonus round you trigger does not turn out to be fruitful.

No matter how promising a bonus round may be, you should always risk what you can afford. The bonus buy feature can drain your budget if not used responsibly, so think twice before going for it.