HACKSAW
Get up to $2500 Welcome bonus!
We have over 26,000 FREE games. Start here.
Get up to $2500 Welcome bonus!
Updated: July, 2026
In most pokies, the bonus round is where you stand the chance of winning big. However, it can take 100+ spins to land the right symbols in the base game to naturally trigger the extra round. A bonus buy slot allows punters to skip the long queue and head into the special round.
Purchasing this feature can cost 100x your base bet, or more. Since there is no guarantee that you will land enough wins to recoup your investment before the end of the round, the big question on the mind of punters is when to use the bonus buy feature. This guide covers how the mechanics work, the cost implications, the top games in this genre, and how US punters can legally play.
HACKSAW
HACKSAW
PRAGMATIC PLAY
HACKSAW
PRAGMATIC PLAY
RELAX
NETENT
NOLIMIT
PRAGMATIC PLAY
NETENT
RELAX
PUSH
NOLIMIT
They are pokies that come with a special feature that allows punters to pay a fixed amount to jump into the game’s extra round. Buy feature slots were introduced by Australia-based Big Time Gaming with the launch of White Rabbit in 2017.
In slots, the prize round is naturally triggered by landing 3+ scatter symbols in a spin. However, it is possible to go 100+ spins without naturally triggering the extra round. Titles in this genre give players the option to purchase instant access to the bonus round instead of waiting to naturally trigger it.
Learning when to use the bonus buy feature is crucial because it usually costs 25x to 500x your base bet to activate. The price will depend on several factors, including the potential for high payouts, volatility and the number of features involved.
In games where landing 3, 4 or 5 scatter symbols activates different additional rounds, the price you will pay to activate each of the rounds will differ. The bonus round that requires 5 scatter symbols will be the most expensive.
The process is identical in demo mode and real-money play — the only difference is whether virtual or real credits are deducted.
Choose Your Bet Size
Once you launch the game, choose your bet size. The bonus buy cost is calculated as a multiple of your current stake — so bet size directly controls what you pay.
Click “Buy Bonus” or “Buy Feature”
The button is usually located on the left side of the reel. When you click it, it reveals the list of available features you can purchase along with their individual costs.
Select the Feature You Want
Select the one you want, and the corresponding amount will be deducted from your bankroll instantly. Higher-tier features cost more but offer greater potential.
Reels Spin Automatically
The reels will automatically spin, and the number of scatter symbols required to unlock the purchased round will land on the reels — guaranteeing feature entry.
Bonus Round Launches
The screen reloads, launching you directly into the bonus round. If it plays on a separate reel set, a new game screen will open. From here, RNG determines your outcome.
The cost of this feature is usually 50x to 100x your base bet for low volatility titles and 25x to 500x for high volatility titles. The higher the swing and potential for bigger pay in the extra round, the higher the price you will pay.
Bet $0.20
$20 at 100x multiplierBet $1.00
$100 at 100x multiplierBet $2.00
$200 at 100x multiplierBet $5.00
$500 at 100x multiplierFormula: Bet Size × Multiplier = Feature Cost. A $0.20 bet at a 100x multiplier costs $20 per purchase. High-volatility titles may charge 500x, making that same $0.20 bet cost $100 per feature entry.
One of the frequently asked questions is whether purchasing the feature leads to better odds. That is not necessarily true — in fact, it can be considered a myth. Slots use random number generators (RNGs) to determine the winner. The outcome of every spin is independent of the previous or next. How the software works remains the same, regardless of the feature.
The reason why some punters believe bonus buy slots offer better odds is that the RTP is often slightly higher in the bought feature compared to the base game — although it can also be slightly lower. RTP gives a theoretical idea of the percentage of bets placed on the machine that will be returned to players over time. A higher RTP means more of the bets will be returned to the player — which is what some players term as “better odds.”
Since bonus buy is a relatively new feature, punters usually like to test it out in demo mode to better understand the mechanics before investing real money. When you launch the demo, you will receive virtual currencies that you can use to make the purchase.
One of the most important things you should pay attention to when playing demo mode is volatility. Low volatility titles will pay out more frequent small wins, while high volatility titles will pay out infrequent big wins. Medium volatility slots find the balance between payout frequency and size. If a reel machine has different purchase options, try each of them and pay attention to the frequency and size of wins.
Pay attention to how frequently you recoup your investment in the additional round after the purchase. This will help you set the right expectations when you transition to playing with real money.
Since the launch of buy feature slots, leading software providers have licensed the technology to create pokies across different themes. Here are the top titles in 2026 and how they compare.
Gates of Olympus
Pragmatic Play
White Rabbit Megaways
Big Time Gaming
Sweet Bonanza
Pragmatic Play
Mental
Nolimit City
Money Train 4
Relax Gaming
Wanted Dead or a Wild
Hacksaw Gaming
Some titles feature noticeably improved RTP in the extra round compared to the base game. It is always important to pay attention to these titles since a higher RTP means the pokies can pay out more.
Seamen
Nolimit City
Hand of Anubis
Hacksaw Gaming
High-volatility titles are famous for offering massive payouts. Here are two of the most popular high-volatility bonus buy slots with exceptionally high payout potential.
San Quentin xWays
Nolimit City
Set in the infamous San Quentin prison. Features persistent symbols and multiple special modes. One of the most extreme high-variance titles available.
Max 150,000xGates of Olympus Super Scatter
Pragmatic Play
Builds on the Gates of Olympus series with stacking multipliers that can rise to 500x. One of the most recognisable high-payout bonus buy titles.
Max 50,000xThere are two ways you can play pokies in this category: through a regulated online casino or by being physically present at a licensed brick-and-mortar casino. Note that you must be at least 21 years old to gamble in the United States.
Café Casino
🎯 Notable: Gates of Olympus
Ignition Casino
🎯 Notable: Lost Empire, 25 Coin Paradis Bust
Bankrolla Casino
🎯 Notable: 4 Pots Riches Hold & Win, Only Coins Express
97/100
RTP: 96%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 200+
NEW
97/100
RTP: 98
Games: 10 000+
96/100
RTP: 99%
Payout: 0–1 days
Games: 2000+
TOP
98/100
RTP: 98%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 500+
EXCLUSIVE BONUS
TOP
98/100
RTP: 99%
Payout: 0–1 days
Games: 2000+
100/100
RTP: 96%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 200+
HOT
97/100
RTP: 96%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 200+
NEW
BONUS
97/100
RTP: 96%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 200+
BONUS
97/100
RTP: 96%
Payout: 1–3 days
Games: 200+
Arguably, the best bonus buy strategy is learning how to manage your bankroll. Here is a worked example for a punter with a monthly gambling budget of $300 who wants to play three sessions per month.
🧮 Session breakdown example
✅ Makes sense when…
🚫 Skip it when…
Experiencing the fast-paced gameplay of the bonus round is exciting, but it can quickly drain your bankroll. Playing with the right strategy is the only way to get the best value out of your gambling budget.
The availability of titles in this category depends on state regulations. Only a handful of states have legalized online casinos. Bonus buy slots legal states include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
The feature may be restricted or outright banned in some jurisdictions. It is important to mention that this is a slot feature rather than an entirely new game that needs a new type of license. To know if you can legally play, check the specific gambling site’s terms and conditions page. Since gambling laws in the United States are still evolving, it is the punter’s responsibility to confirm the status of online gambling in their state.
Ensure you are 21+ years old before signing up to play. These instant gratification slots have a way of spiking your dopamine level. Always wager with a gambling budget and leverage tools provided by the casino to stay in control:
If you are experiencing problem gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER.
Titles in this category allow punters to trade patience for a fixed upfront cost. However, it comes with bigger swings — you can hit massive returns or end up with nothing at all. Although this high-risk, high-reward gameplay mode brings a new level of excitement, it is not designed for every type of punter. The decision will depend primarily on your bankroll size and gambling goals.
Before investing real money, try demo play first to understand the mechanics and better manage your expectations. Continue exploring: high volatility slots, Megaways slots, new slots 2026.
The average cost of purchasing this feature is around 100x your base bet.
No, buying this feature doesn’t give you better odds. It only changes how you enter the bonus round. The outcome inside the feature is still determined by RNG.
It varies from one casino to another. Check each casino’s welcome bonus terms and conditions to see what you are allowed to do with bonus funds.
No. They are only available in states where online gambling has been legalized: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
It varies from one casino to another. Check your preferred site’s bonus terms and conditions before purchasing.
Yes. It is highly advised that you try the demo first before investing real money — it lets you observe how the bonus round behaves without financial risk.
Whether this feature is legal will depend on your jurisdiction. However, it is fair because it uses RNG to determine wins — the same as organic base game play.
If you run out of bankroll, you will not be able to make further purchases unless you top up your account or grow your bankroll through the base game.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
More info on Filip Gromovic
Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
More info on Nashon Khamala
Join Bankrolla and claim 200,000 GC + 2 SC
