Bonus Buy Slots: Why You Won’t Find Them at UK Casinos

What Are Bonus Buy Slots?

Bonus buy slots allow players to pay to trigger bonus features, rather than spending time spinning in the hopes of landing the symbols required to activate them. There is a selection of bonus features that can be purchased in bonus buy slots, including:

• Free spins: This mode gives you a certain number of ‘free’ spins outside of the base game that allow you the chance to win real money. Sometimes, these rounds can alter the value of certain symbols or introduce new ones.
• Pick-me games: Players are given the opportunity to choose from a number of options. These options can include different bonus features or a certain number of winnings.
• Multipliers: These will multiply your wins and provide a generous boost to your bankroll.
• Random prize slots: A quick prize is issued through instant-win games.
• Extra reels: The grid expands in this mode to increase winning potential.
• Sticky wilds: The purpose of these symbols is that they stick in place on the reel, and the other symbols continue to spin in hopes of increasing winning lines.

You’ll find these bonus features in almost every slot game, but bonus buy slots are in their own category of slot games. One of the most popular bonus buy slot games is Relax Gaming’s “Money Train 2”, with its bonus features including respin bonuses, free spins bonuses, and money cart bonuses (this is when three or more scatters appear). Buying the bonus, which is 100 times the stake, will give players the chance to win up to 50,000x their stake. The main appeal of Money Train 2 is that it is a high-volatility game with the potential for big payouts through its multiple bonuses.

Another popular bonus buy game is “Dead or Alive 2”, created by the powerhouse NetEnt. This slot game was originally released without the bonus buy feature, but NetEnt recognised the growing popularity of the format and released an updated version in 2021 to include a bonus buy option. This game offers wild symbols, scatter symbols, and free spins as its bonus features, and is also considered a high volatility game, with high stakes and high payout potential.

Bonus features are the main appeal of any slot game, transforming the base level of the game to access an elevated version that unlocks further winning potential. By allowing players to purchase the bonus features, there is an increase in control of gaming experiences for the player. Rather than placing bets on spins with their fingers crossed that they will trigger a bonus feature, it allows the user to pick and choose the experience they want.

Why the UK Banned Bonus Buys

In 2019, the UKGC introduced new measures aimed at protecting vulnerable players and helping them limit spending on slot games. The first bonus buy game was introduced in 2017 on Big Time Gaming’s “White Rabbit”, and other game providers were quick to recognise its rapidly growing popularity and jump on the bandwagon.

The instant gratification offered by bonus buy games can be addictive for some players, mainly because the chances of winning are significantly higher. Problem gamblers were choosing to spend thousands of pounds on bonus buy features, watching their bankroll drain much faster.

UKGC recognised that this was a breach of the RTS (Remote Gaming and Software Technical Standards) which outlines in clause 14a that: “Gambling products must not actively encourage customers to chase their losses, increase their stake or increase the amount they have decided to gamble, or continue to gamble after they have indicated that they wish to stop.”

While this doesn’t explicitly reference bonus buy slots, it effectively bans these types of slot games in the UK. This is because there is an option to increase the stake that can potentially lure players into continued gameplay, even if they want to stop.

How the Ban Affects UK Players

Following the 2019 ban, online casino sites operating in the UK were issued a notice stating that they either needed to remove the feature from their games or remove affected games from the lobby entirely. If a site is found to be offering bonus buy games in the UK, this goes against regulations, and there could be fines or further consequences.

This news also prompted a change from game providers, as big bonus buy games experienced a significant loss of customers following the ban in the UK. In response, the producer of Money Train 2, Relax Gaming, released “Money Cart 2”, which is essentially the same game but with a twist.

Aware that UK players loved the game but could no longer play the bonus buy feature, they released an entirely new game that only allows players to play the bonus round. Every spin meant that players would win nothing at all or see the bonuses triggered. Money Cart 2 has an RTP of 98%, which is considered high for industry standards, meaning that a high-stakes feeling similar to bonus buy games remains. A small number of spins can trigger all sorts of bonuses, and this game has filled the hole left by bonus buys for UK players.

There has been considerable confusion since this ban took effect, as the feature is still available in other countries. With the iGaming community having a huge presence online, you can find primarily American players taking full advantage of bonus buy slots and posting about it on social media platforms. As this was temporarily allowed in the UK but banned shortly after it became popular, there is confusion about whether UK citizens can play these types of games. The simple answer is no – any online casino offering these types of games is operating in violation of the law.

Bonus Buys and Responsible Gambling

With a recognisable increase in popularity for online slots in the UK, there has also been a parallel increase in safety regulations and responsible gambling tools. Regulatory authorities such as the UKGC are enforcing guidelines for online casinos to promote responsible gaming.

Most online casinos offer responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks that players can access at any time to set boundaries. Charities like Gamcare and GambleAware are also readily available, usually linked to online casinos, so users can seek external help if necessary.

Bonus buy games can cause issues because they can quickly blur the boundaries that you have set for yourself. In a regular slot game, you can set a deposit limit and stick to it, ensuring a fun but controlled gaming experience. The bonus features are often the most exciting part of a game experience, so unsurprisingly, bonus buys can be a slippery slope for a lot of players when you constantly have the option to buy these features.