A bonus buy (feature buy) lets you pay an upfront multiple of your bet to trigger the slot’s bonus round immediately instead of waiting to land the scatters naturally. In regulated markets, developers and operators document when and where this feature is allowed or disabled. For example, the UK Gambling Commission required operators to remove “feature buy” implementations for GB customers; the Commission confirmed operators had removed the element from their sites.
Some studios show the feature right on the game page. Hacksaw Gaming’s official page for Wanted Dead or a Wild lists a “Bonus Buy” that jumps straight to its special bonus modes.
Does paying with crypto change the math?
No. Currency rails (fiat vs. crypto) don’t alter a slot’s random number generator (RNG) or return-to-player (RTP). Independent labs like eCOGRA explain that RNG ensures random outcomes per spin, while RTP describes the long-run payout percentage—game math set by the provider and audited by regulators/labs. That math holds regardless of how you deposit.
In regulated markets, authorities also monitor live RTP performance so games run as designed and advertised.
Typical bonus buy costs and options
Costs vary by title and provider:
- Pragmatic Play rulesheets show many games allow “Buy Free Spins” for 100× the current bet (for example, Sweet Bonanza and Muertos Multiplier Megaways).
- Newer “Super” variants sometimes offer multiple purchase tiers. For Gates of Olympus Super Scatter, Pragmatic Play notes two bonus-buy options in select markets; independent reviews document 100× for standard free spins and 500× for the Super Free Spins tier. Always check the in-game info for your market.
- Hacksaw’s Wanted Dead or a Wild includes a Bonus Buy to access its three feature rounds; reputable reviews describe multiple price points per feature.
Because bonus buys skip the base game, the experience is more “bursty”: less time waiting, more immediate exposure to the slot’s high-variance feature math.
RTP and volatility: why bonus buys feel different
RTP is the long-run payout ratio; volatility describes how spiky those outcomes are. Studios and regulators define and explain these separately.
Two important realities:
- RTP can vary by casino/market. Providers such as Push Gaming and Hacksaw publish multiple RTP configurations for the same title (operators select which to run). Push Gaming explicitly states RTP may vary per casino and shows example pairs like 96.36% and 94.32%. Hacksaw lists several RTP variants on official game pages.
- Bonus-buy modes can change the feel of risk even when RTP is similar. By paying 100× to jump into the feature, you’re front-loading the part of the game where large wins are concentrated, increasing variance within fewer spins. Community and developer docs often illustrate that high-volatility games “pay less often but can hit big in short bursts.”
Practical takeaway: check the RTP on the game’s help screen or loading panel for your specific casino and for the purchase you’re making—some titles publish distinct RTP for buy features or for different buy tiers.
Win caps: how they limit payouts (and end the round)
Every slot has a maximum win cap defined in the rules. Hitting the cap usually stops the round and forfeits remaining features:
- Gates of Olympus’ official rules specify a 5,000× max win; when reached, the round ends and remaining features are forfeited.
- Many modern games set higher caps. Hacksaw’s Wanted Dead or a Wild has a 12,500× max win, while Nolimit City’s San Quentin advertises a 150,000× max win—and its sequel lists 200,000×. These figures show how “cap ceilings” vary widely by studio/title.
Win caps are crucial context for bonus buys. Buying the feature concentrates your exposure to cap-eligible outcomes; if the cap triggers, the game ends the round at the cap even if bonus spins remain.
Regional rules: why you might not see a buy button
Feature buys are not universal. The UK required removal of “feature buy” for GB players; operators complied. Other regulators have their own design standards and monitoring regimes (for example, Ontario’s standards for game features and integrity), so availability can differ even at the same brand.
Crypto angle: what actually changes for you
Using BTC/ETH/USDT typically changes payment speed and limits, not game math. The bigger differences you’ll notice at a crypto-first casino are:
- Which RTP variant the operator chose (some select lower or higher configurations that fit their market)—something providers acknowledge openly.
- Whether your jurisdiction allows bonus buys at all (for example, not available for GB customers).
- Audit/verification labels (look for eCOGRA/GLI and regulator pages confirming RNG/RTP oversight).
Payout behavior you can expect with bonus buys
- Higher short-term variance
Buying jumps you into the swingiest part of the slot. Many rulesheets even flag “high volatility” so you understand that payouts arrive less often but can spike. - Concentrated RTP in features
Some titles allocate a large share of their long-run RTP to the bonus. Purchasing the feature compresses this exposure into fewer events, sharpening drawdowns and peaks within a session. Community math discussions describe this dynamic frequently—useful intuition even if each game’s math differs. - Different purchase tiers, different feel
Multiple buy options (e.g., 100× standard vs 500× “super” free spins) often trade hit rate for potential multipliers. Review sites and some studio posts document these choices; your game’s help panel is the source of truth. - Hard stop at the cap
If your purchased round reaches the cap (e.g., 5,000× on Gates of Olympus), the game ends the feature immediately and pays the cap amount.
Mini case studies (official sources)
- Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)
5,000× max win; rules explicitly state the round ends at the cap; variants like “Super Scatter” introduce higher-octane modes with buy options in select markets. - Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw)
Bonus Buy available; volatility rated 4/5; multiple RTP configurations listed (96.38%, 94.55%, 92.33%, 88.42%)—meaning casinos and markets can run different versions. - San Quentin and San Quentin 2 (Nolimit City)
Extremely high win caps (150,000× and 200,000× respectively) show how some titles intentionally set enormous ceilings, which shapes perceived “payout potential” during features.
How to evaluate a bonus buy before you click purchase
- Read the game’s rules/info panel for your casino and market (RTP, volatility, max win, buy cost, and whether the feature is even permitted where you play). Providers like Push Gaming explicitly note RTP may vary by casino; Hacksaw lists multiple RTPs per title.
- Confirm auditing and monitoring (look for eCOGRA/GLI testing and regulator guidance about live RTP monitoring).
- Expect higher session swings and set hard limits; a buy compresses a lot of variance into one decision. Rulesheets commonly flag “high volatility.”
- If you’re in the UK (or other restricted markets), understand that feature buys should be unavailable by design.
FAQ
Are bonus buys allowed everywhere?
No. In Great Britain, the UK Gambling Commission required removal of “feature buy” elements from operator sites. Other regulators set their own standards, so availability depends on your market.
Do bonus buys change RTP?
Sometimes the displayed RTP for a specific game mode or casino configuration differs. Providers like Push Gaming say RTP “may vary per casino,” and Hacksaw lists multiple RTP versions on official pages. Always read the in-game info for the exact figure at your casino.
What are common bonus buy prices?
Many mainstream titles price a standard “Buy Free Spins” at 100× bet; some games offer premium tiers at higher multiples (e.g., 500× for “super” bonus rounds on certain releases), subject to market restrictions.
How do win caps work?
Once the cap is reached, the round ends and remaining features are forfeited. Gates of Olympus’ rules state a 5,000× cap with exactly this behavior.
Does using crypto affect outcomes?
No. RNG and RTP are properties of the game, not the payment method. Certification and regulator monitoring are designed to ensure games perform as specified.
Final reminder
Bonus buys concentrate variance. Even when RTP looks similar, purchasing features means bigger swings in fewer clicks. Check the exact RTP for your casino/market, confirm win caps and buy costs in the rules, and follow local laws and responsible-play guidance.
