Bonus Buy Feature: What You Need to Know

The "Bonus Buy" feature lets you pay a set price to skip base play and trigger a slot’s bonus round or free spins instantly. Instead of waiting for the scatter symbols to align, you can buy your way straight into bonus games that usually offer higher payout potential. It’s quick, dramatic, and especially popular on modern video slots from studios like Pragmatic Play.

This feature is not the same as a bonus offered by the casino. It’s a built-in game option that changes how you access in-game features, not how the casino credits promotions.

How Bonus Buys Are Priced — and What That Means for RTP

Developers set Bonus Buy costs in multiples of your bet — common prices range from 50x to 200x your stake for a full free-spins round. Some games also offer tiered buys: a cheaper, smaller-bonus option and a pricier, higher-value option.

Important points about RTP and math:

The theoretical RTP published by a developer generally covers both base game and bonus mechanics together. Buying a bonus does not magically improve the game’s long-term RTP, but it can change the short-term expected value of a spin depending on the buy price and bonus paytable.
Because you’re spending a large upfront sum, bonus buys raise variance dramatically. Expect bigger swings to your bankroll even if the long-term edge remains the same.
Smart players check published RTPs, volatility, and sample bonus outcomes (often in game info) before using a buy.

When a Bonus Buy Can Be Worth It

You might consider buying a bonus if:

You value time-savings and want immediate access to feature rounds.
You’re playing a high-RTP slot where the bonus round historically returns strong payouts.
You have a bankroll sized to withstand big single-ticket purchases without chasing losses.

Use simple math: if the buy costs 100x your bet and the average bonus round payout is near that range, you’re buying a fair shot; if average bonus pays much less, the buy is expensive. Always size buys to be a small portion of your session bankroll.

Downsides, Regulations, and Responsible Play

There are clear drawbacks:

Higher variance and faster depletion of funds.
Some jurisdictions and operators restrict or ban Bonus Buy options. Rules vary by state, so check local regulations.
Bonus buy sessions can feel intense; that’s why deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion tools matter.

Be mindful of site terms. Some casinos exclude bonus-bought rounds from bonus-credit wagering contributions or place special limits on play. Never assume a bought bonus is covered by a separate casino promotion.

Examples from Pragmatic Play Titles to Watch

Pragmatic Play popularized many bonus-rich slots that include buy mechanics or similar fast-track features. Titles with clear bonus rounds — like "Chicken Chase Slots" — show the type of in-game features you’re paying to access. Check game pages and developer notes for exact buy prices and bonus run outcomes; you can read a full review of Chicken Chase Slots here.

If you want to try Pragmatic Play titles at a site with a straightforward welcome offer and Pragmatic inventory, take a look at Koalabet Casino’s review for details on games, payments, and customer support.

Practical Tips Before You Hit “Buy”

Start small. Test a single buy to see real outcomes for that title before committing larger sums.
Calculate cost-to-expected-return roughly from available RTP and published bonus payout info.
Use bankroll rules: commit only a fixed percentage of your session funds to buy attempts.
Confirm whether bought bonuses count toward wagering requirements if you’re using bonus funds.

Bonus Buy options can make sessions exciting and fast, but they’re a high-risk tool. Treat them like a power-up, not a guaranteed shortcut to profit, and always use site responsible-gambling features when volatility spikes.