Bonus Buy Feature: What You Need to Know

The Bonus Buy is a casino slot mechanic that lets you skip the base-game grind and pay to trigger a slot’s bonus round instantly. Instead of waiting for scatters or landing special symbols, you pay a fixed price or a multiplier of your bet to access free spins, pick-me rounds, or other high-payout features right away. That convenience can speed up action, but it changes the game’s math, volatility, and bankroll needs — so know what you’re paying for before you press “buy.”

How operators price Bonus Buys and what the numbers mean for you

Prices vary widely. Some games set a fixed dollar cost, others charge a multiple of your stake (for example, 50x your bet). That means a $1 spin with a 50x buy costs $50. Developers and casinos set the cost based on the bonus round’s expected value and the slot’s volatility, which can make the effective RTP and risk profile different from the base game.

Be aware that the advertised RTP of a slot often assumes normal play. A bonus buy can change the expected return, sometimes lowering it, sometimes increasing it, depending on the game’s internal math. Always check the game details and independent RTP reports when available.

When a Bonus Buy makes sense — and common pitfalls

Using a Bonus Buy can be smart when you:

• Prefer quick access to a slot’s most lucrative feature.
• Have a bankroll sized for the higher one-off cost.
• Want to test a feature repeatedly for learning or entertainment.

It can backfire if you chase the bonus as a shortcut to wins. Bonus buys increase variance — you may exhaust a bankroll faster because you’re paying upfront for high-variance outcomes. Treat a Bonus Buy like a controlled gamble, and size your buy relative to your session bankroll.

How Bonus Buys interact with casino bonuses and rules

If you’re using site promotions, read the fine print. Many welcome offers, free spins, and no-deposit chips exclude bonus-bought rounds, or count them differently toward wagering contributions. Casinos often treat no-deposit offers as “sticky” bonuses where only winnings can be withdrawn after meeting wagering requirements.

For example, Prima Play Casino’s $50 no-deposit free chip (code "PRIMA50") is valid for Slots, Keno, and Scratch Cards, carries a 50x wagering requirement, and must be used within 48 hours. You must make at least one deposit to withdraw winnings, and the maximum cashout from such free offers is limited to $100. Those kinds of limits and game contributions are the exact terms that can block or reduce the value of bonus-bought play, so check terms before buying.

General industry policies to watch for include maximum cashout caps ($50–$100 on many no-deposit offers), game contribution rates (slots usually contribute 100%, table games 0%), and maximum bet limits during wagering (commonly $5 to $10). Casinos may require account verification within 24 hours of a withdrawal request, and abusing promos with multiple accounts can forfeit bonuses and winnings.

How to calculate cost and impact on your bankroll (quick example)

Say a slot offers a Bonus Buy at 50x your spin. If your normal spin size is $0.50, a Bonus Buy costs $25. If your planned session bankroll is $200, that buy is 12.5% of your session. A string of unsuccessful buys will drain funds quickly, so consider playing base spins to sample feature frequency before committing to repeated buys.

Also, ask the casino if bonus-bought rounds are eligible while using a promotion. If they’re excluded, your buy may not help you meet wagering requirements or could invalidate a bonus.

Where you’ll (and won’t) find Bonus Buys, and who to ask

Not every provider offers Bonus Buys. Some studios built around classic mechanics don’t include them, while many modern video slots do. Casinos in regulated US markets vary in what they permit because state regulations and platform rules differ. If you’re curious whether a specific title supports Bonus Buy, check the game rules screen, or contact casino support — for quick help, Prima Play Casino offers chat and email support at support@primaplay.eu and lists game and bonus details on its site. You can read our full Prima Play Casino review for more on its promotions and software offering.

Responsible play and final checks before you buy

Treat Bonus Buys as optional entertainment, not a shortcut to guaranteed wins. Before you buy, confirm:

• The buy price or multiplier and how it’s calculated.
• Whether bonus-bought rounds count toward wagering requirements.
• Any maximum cashout limits, bet caps during wagering, and verification rules.
• State-level legality and whether the operator is properly licensed in your jurisdiction.

Use deposit limits, session timers, and self-exclusion tools if you find the faster action tempting you to overspend. Bonus Buys can be an exciting way to unlock a game’s best features instantly, if you manage the risk and read the terms first.