Bonus Buy Slots: What They Cost, What They Pay, Whether They're Worth It

Bonus buy slots let you access the bonus round immediately—not after landing 3+ scatter symbols. You select the feature buy option, pay the required cost, and start playing a bonus (e.g., free spins) right away. This sounds exciting, but the price is hefty. Let's discuss how much you pay to buy the bonus in online slots and whether the cost is ultimately worth it.

Bonus buy slots require a significant amount to automatically trigger the feature. Average costs range between 50x and 100x the total bet to immediately access the main feature. 

Some slots fall outside this spectrum, with 25x–40x on the low end and 200x–500x on the high end. But largely speaking, you'll pay quite a bit relative to your stake to buy the bonus in slots.

Let's look at an example to illustrate the impact on your bankroll:

Buying the feature isn't simply a shortcut to the bonus. It's a large investment in relation to your spin cost. Using this option means you're effectively packing the price of many spins into a single feature bet. The volatility of the session increases significantly because you're putting so much into each wager.

On the other hand, you get to skip the dozens or hundreds of spins spent trying to land those precious scatter symbols. This provides instant gratification and gives you immediate access to bigger potential wins.

Feature buy slots aren't cheap when it comes to purchasing the feature. But there can be a silver lining in the form of better return to player (RTP).

Some slots have different RTPs between the base game and the bonus round. The feature usually has the higher payback, meaning you're plugging directly into this improved payout percentage.

For example, Olympus Hades Megaways isn't the highest RTP slot with 95.95% payback during base play. However, that figure jumps to 96.43% RTP during Hades Free Spins. While you'll pay 75x to access this bonus, the 0.48% bump in payback is still nice. 

Bonus buy slot machines are best when you're willing to brave extreme volatility in exchange for larger possible wins. 

Volatile online casino games for real money always have the potential to quickly drain your bankroll. If you're willing to temper expectations for how long a session will last, then you won't be surprised by an abrupt ending.

I recommend deciding on a session limit before you start playing, like in the following example:

Bonus rounds aren't usually all-or-nothing affairs. Most of your feature wins will at least return some of the buy-in cost. 

You should get plenty of chances to play the bonus round in this case. Of course, your funds likely won't last nearly as long versus flat betting $0.20 per round.

Even the best bonus buy slots can become dangerous rather quickly with a small bankroll. Variance is extreme with feature buys, and 1–2 bonus rounds can end your gaming session in no time.

If you're somebody who enjoys getting more entertainment out of online slots sessions, then bonus buys aren't ideal. You might pump $50 into purchasing a feature, for example, only to get a $6 return. 

A poor return could tempt you to buy the bonus again in hopes of recouping losses. If you've ever struggled with chasing losses, feature buy slots only increase the temptation.

The perfect scenario for playing these games is having a large bankroll that can withstand the volatility. When this isn't the case, I recommend progressive jackpot slots as an alternative. They offer explosive win potential without forcing you to swing for the fences in a single round.

I've compiled a list of the best slots to buy the bonus after trying dozens of these games. 

Some of my other favorites that are found at regulated U.S. casino apps include:

If you're interested in playing the best online slots with a feature buy option, then check out the casinos below. I personally play at these legal U.S. online casinos and can confirm that they have many of the best slots with the buy a bonus option.

All regulated online casinos in the U.S. offer tools to help players gamble responsibly. These options include limits on deposits, wagers, logins, and sessions. Self-exclusion is also available for players who need to spend months or years away from their online gambling accounts.

Jeremy Olson