Bonus Buy Slots

What is a Bonus Buy Slot?

Bonus Buy slots have been a revolutionary trend in online casino gaming. This new breed of slot games stands apart from regular slots by offering players the unique option to directly purchase access to bonus features, such as free spins or special game rounds. This means that instead of waiting to naturally trigger these bonuses through gameplay, players can instantly activate them, for a price.

The pricing of the Bonus Buy feature typically ranges from 50 to 100 times the player’s stake, although this can vary widely between games. Some games offer a more expensive buy-in option, potentially costing hundreds of times the stake. This feature has led to the growth of slot volatility, with players willing to pay for the chance of instant access to potentially lucrative bonus rounds. However, the implementation of this feature varies, and it’s not universally available in all regions due to differing gambling regulations.

Slots with the Buy Bonus feature

The Buy Bonus feature in slot games has been widely adopted by various developers, offering players an innovative way to engage with slot games. Various game providers like Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Hacksaw, Relax Gaming, Quickspin, and ELK have embraced this feature, incorporating it into their diverse slot titles with unique themes and gameplay mechanics. Here’s an overview of how this feature is integrated into different slot games:

Ragnaravens WildEnergy by Yggdrasil: This Norse mythology-inspired slot offers not only a visually stunning experience but also a rich gameplay experience with its 6-reel, 3-row, and 729-payline structure. Players can enjoy various innovative features like Multiplier Wilds, Countdown Wilds, Wild Combos, and a Free Spins round. In the Free Spins round, the presence of additional Wilds and the persistence of Multiplier Wilds throughout this mode enhance winning opportunities. Players can bypass the usual route to these features by purchasing the Free Spins round for 100 times their bet, offering a fast track to potentially higher payouts.

Catrina’s Coins by Quickspin: Inspired by Mexican culture, this game uses a traditional 5-reel, 3-row format with 20 paylines. It’s packed with engaging features like Piñata symbols, Star symbols, Catrina Coins, and the Pueblo del Cielo bonus round that offers a unique gaming experience with its life-based progression system. In this bonus round, the presence of multiplier-laden symbols like Stars and Catrina Coins can significantly boost winnings, especially as Piñata Multipliers spread their effect across all symbols on the reels. Players can enter this bonus round directly by paying 60 times their bet, providing a shortcut to the game’s most lucrative and exciting moments.

2 Wild 2 Die by Hacksaw Gaming: This high-stakes Wild West adventure unfolds on a 4×5 grid with 14 paylines, packed with features that bring the theme to life. Key elements include Silver and Golden Revolvers that transform symbols into Wilds or Wild multipliers, enhancing winning combinations. The Most Wanted! Bonus introduces Wanted Posters with multipliers, creating high-tension gameplay. This bonus round, along with the Shootin’ Wild! Bonus which awards ten free spins with sticky Wild multipliers, while the Best of Most Wanted! and Best of Shootin’ Wild! bonuses can be directly purchased. These features can be purchased for prices ranging from 5x to 400x the bet and vary in terms of volatility and RTP, allowing players to choose their preferred level of risk and reward.

Cyber Heist by Pragmatic Play: In this cyberpunk-themed game, players explore a 6×6 grid with a scatter-paying mechanic, where the combination of Tumble, Multipliers, and Free Spins features creates a dynamic gameplay experience. Triggering the Free Spins feature normally requires landing four or more Bonus symbols, but players can also opt to buy this feature for 100 times their bet. During the Free Spins, the presence of multiplier symbols boosts the total multiplier for all wins, and additional Free Spins can be won, enhancing the potential for big payouts.

Swag Bag Bonanza by Relax Gaming: This bank heist-inspired slot game offers a thrilling 5×4 grid play with 12 fixed paylines. The game is enriched with features like Wild symbols for more winning combinations, Buster Re-Spins for added excitement, and the Swag Bag Free Spins round. This bonus round, purchasable for 49 times the bet, introduces players to a progressive stage system with increasing multipliers and extra Free Spins. Each stage of the Free Spins round has its own set of spins and multipliers, culminating in stages with multipliers as high as x50, making it a highly rewarding part of the game.

Pros and Cons of Bonus Buy Slots

The introduction of the Bonus Buy feature in slot games has created a new dynamic in online casino gaming, offering both advantages and drawbacks.

Pros

• Immediate Access to Bonus Features: The primary advantage of Bonus Buy slots is the ability to instantly access bonus rounds or free spins. This bypasses the need to play through numerous spins to trigger these features naturally, offering immediate engagement with the most exciting parts of the game​​​​.
• Increased Winning Potential: By purchasing the bonus feature, players often find themselves with enhanced chances of securing bigger wins. Bonus rounds typically offer higher payouts and special winning conditions, which can be more lucrative than regular play​​​​.
• Time-Saving and Convenient: For players looking for a quick gaming session or those who prefer to engage directly with the most thrilling aspects of a slot game, Bonus Buy offers a convenient shortcut. It eliminates the potentially long waits involved in triggering special features through standard spins​​​​.

Cons

• Higher Cost: The most apparent drawback is the cost. Buying into bonus rounds can be expensive, often requiring a significant multiple of the player’s stake. This feature demands a higher financial commitment and can quickly deplete a player’s budget​​​​.
• Regulatory Restrictions and Availability: Bonus Buy slots are not universally available. Some jurisdictions, like the UK, have imposed restrictions on these games due to concerns over responsible gambling. This limits the accessibility of Bonus Buy features for players in certain regions​​​​.
• Increased Risk and Potential for Losses: While the Bonus Buy feature can lead to big wins, it also increases the risk. Players might end up spending more money than they would have in regular play without the guarantee of winning back their investment. This can be particularly risky for players with limited budgets or those prone to compulsive gambling behaviours​​​​.

Whether or not this feature is an overall positive or negative depends on each individual. Players need to weigh these factors against their personal gaming preferences, budget, and risk tolerance when deciding to use this feature.

Final Verdict

The Bonus Buy feature represents a significant evolution in the realm of online slots, offering a blend of immediate excitement and strategic depth. For players who prefer quick access to a game’s most thrilling aspects, such as bonus rounds and free spins, this feature is a game-changer. It eliminates the unpredictability of triggering these features through regular play, providing a straightforward path to the potential rewards these rounds offer. However, this convenience comes at a cost, often a substantial multiple of the player’s stake, and does not guarantee a return on investment. This aspect necessitates careful consideration of one’s budget and gaming strategy.

As the feature continues to evolve and become more integrated into online slots, it’s crucial for players to stay informed and approach Bonus Buy slots with mindfulness and strategy to get the most fun and rewards out of modern slots.