Bonus buy slots let you pay a fixed price, usually a multiple of your bet, to skip the base game and go straight into the free spins or bonus round. They can also drain a budget very quickly. This guide explains how bonus buys work, what they cost, where they are restricted, and six well-known bonus buy slots with fact-checked figures.
Where we play bonus buy slots
1win is our top-rated casino (9.9/10), with thousands of slots and a crypto withdrawal that took 15 minutes in our test.
Play at 1win18+. T&Cs apply. Not available in every country. Game libraries vary, so search the lobby for bonus buy slots.
Bonus buy slots at a glance
| Slot | Provider | Buy cost (x bet) | RTP | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Train 2 | Relax Gaming | 100x | 98% with buy | 50,000x |
| Sweet Bonanza 1000 | Pragmatic Play | 100x / 500x | 96.53% base | 25,000x |
| Gates of Olympus 1000 | Pragmatic Play | 100x | About 96.5% base | 15,000x |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | 80x / 200x / 400x | Up to 96.38% base | 12,500x |
| The Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 100x | 96.55% base | 12,305x |
| Extra Chilli Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 50x | 96.15%–96.82% | 20,000x |
We checked every figure against at least two independent sources and say so where they disagree. Casinos can run lower RTP versions of some games, so check the info screen before you play.
What is a bonus buy?
A bonus buy (also called a feature buy) is an option in some slots to pay a set price to trigger the bonus round immediately. The price is a multiple of your bet: at a $1 stake, a 100x bonus buy costs $100. In the games we checked, prices range from 50x to 500x, with 100x the most common.
Does buying the bonus change the RTP?
Sometimes. Many games use a slightly different RTP for the buy than for normal play. In a few cases, like Money Train 2 (96.4% base, 98% with the buy), the buy has a noticeably higher RTP. That does not mean you will win: one bought bonus can easily pay back much less than it cost. Check the info screen of each game for its exact figures.
Where are bonus buys restricted?
- United Kingdom: in January 2020 the Gambling Commission warned operators that feature buy-ins breached its technical standards, and they were removed from UK-licensed casinos.
- Netherlands: bonus buys are not offered by casinos licensed by the Dutch regulator (KSA).
- Elsewhere: rules differ by country and casino, and some casinos disable the buy option in certain markets.
Always check that online gambling, and features like bonus buys, are legal where you live.
Popular bonus buy slots
1. Money Train 2 (Relax Gaming)
| Base RTP | 96.4% |
| Buy cost | 100x your bet |
| Buy RTP | 98% |
| Max win | 50,000x |
A rare case where buying the bonus clearly improves the RTP. The Money Cart bonus uses special symbols such as Collectors and Payers to build huge totals. Read our Money Train 2 review or the original Money Train, which offers an 80x buy with a 98% RTP.
2. Sweet Bonanza 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
| Base RTP | 96.53% |
| Buy cost | 100x, or 500x for the super buy |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | 25,000x |
The upgraded candy slot, with multiplier bombs up to 1,000x in free spins. Read our Sweet Bonanza 1000 review.
3. Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
| Base RTP | About 96.5% |
| Buy cost | 100x |
| Volatility | High to very high |
| Max win | 15,000x (one source lists 5,000x) |
Zeus drops multipliers up to 1,000x, and in free spins they add up. Read our Gates of Olympus 1000 review.
4. Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming)
| Base RTP | Up to 96.38% |
| Buy cost | 80x, 200x or 400x, depending on the bonus |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | 12,500x |
Three different bonuses can be bought separately, each at a different price. Read our Wanted Dead or a Wild review.
5. The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
| Base RTP | 96.55% |
| Buy cost | 100x |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 12,305x |
Buy straight into the choice between Sticky Wilds and Raining Wilds free spins. Read our The Dog House Megaways review.
6. Extra Chilli Megaways (Big Time Gaming)
| RTP | Sources differ: 96.15% to 96.82% |
| Buy cost | 50x |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 20,000x |
One of the cheapest buys on this list. You get 8 free spins and can gamble them for up to 24, with an unlimited multiplier. See our best Megaways slots.
Pros and cons of bonus buys
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Skip long waits for the bonus | Very expensive per round |
| Some buys have a higher RTP | A bought bonus can pay back far less than it cost |
| Good for trying a bonus round | Budgets run out quickly |
| Clear, fixed price | Not available in every country |
Tips for using bonus buys responsibly
- Lower your stake first: the buy price is a multiple of your bet, so a lower bet makes it cheaper.
- Try the demo: many bonus buy slots let you test the buy for free in demo mode.
- Set a hard limit: decide in advance how many buys you can afford, and stop there.
- Check the RTP for the buy: it can differ from the base game.
- Take breaks: see our responsible gambling guide for limit-setting tools and support.
Where to play bonus buy slots
Our top-rated casino is 1win (9.9/10), with thousands of slots and a crypto withdrawal that took 15 minutes in our test; new players can use promo code Ultragambler (see our 1win promo code page). iWild (9.8/10) has a 7,000+ game library. Game libraries vary by country, so search the lobby for the titles above.
Bonus buy slots FAQs
What is a bonus buy slot?
A slot that lets you pay a fixed price, usually 50x to 100x your bet or more, to go straight into the bonus round.
Are bonus buys worth it?
They are a quick way to see the bonus, but they are expensive and a bought bonus can pay back much less than it cost. Some games have a higher RTP for the buy, such as Money Train 2 at 98%.
Are bonus buys banned in the UK?
Yes. In January 2020 the UK Gambling Commission told operators that feature buy-ins breached its technical standards, and they were removed from UK-licensed casinos.
Which bonus buy slot has the highest RTP?
Of the games on this page, Money Train 2 at 98% when you buy the bonus.
Can I try bonus buys for free?
Often, yes. Many bonus buy slots have a demo mode where you can test the buy with play money.
Important: check your local laws before you play
Online gambling laws differ from country to country, and in some places it is restricted or not permitted at all. Check that online gambling is legal where you live and that the casino accepts players from your country. You must be 18 or older (or the legal gambling age in your country, if higher). Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
