Bonus Buy Slots UK: Why the Feature Isn't Offered

Key takeaways

A bonus buy (feature buy-in) lets players pay to trigger a slot's bonus round immediately.
In January 2020 the Gambling Commission warned that feature buy-ins breach its technical standards.
The six operators found offering them removed the feature.
Sites offering bonus buys to UK players aren't licensed for Great Britain.

What is a bonus buy?

A bonus buy, also called a feature buy-in, lets a player pay a multiple of their stake, often around 100 times, to trigger a slot's bonus round straight away instead of waiting for it to land. It turns the most exciting part of a game into something you can buy repeatedly, at high cost.

Why it isn't offered in the UK

In January 2020 the Gambling Commission said it had found six operators offering feature buy-ins on slots, one charging more than £3,000 to enter a bonus round. It warned licensees that the feature doesn't comply with its Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards, citing two requirements: that game rules must be clear before a customer gambles, and that products must not actively encourage customers to chase losses or increase their stakes. All six operators removed the feature, and the Commission told every licensee to check its games.

UK slot rules timeline

January 2020Feature buy-in warningSix operators remove bonus buys.
April 2020Credit card banFor all gambling in Great Britain.
October 2021Slot design rulesAutoplay and turbo spins removed; minimum spin speed.
April–May 2025Stake limits£5 a spin, or £2 for ages 18 to 24.

Other UK slot design rules

Bonus buys are one of several features UK slots don't have. Autoplay and turbo or "quick spin" features have been removed, there's a minimum time between spins, and slots can't present a loss as a win. Combined with the stake limits, these rules are designed to slow play down and keep it transparent.

"Bonus buy" versions you might see

Some studios release UK-compliant versions of popular games with the buy feature removed or replaced, for example a separate game mode that triggers features more often at a higher fixed stake within UK limits. These must follow every UK rule. If a game's RTP is quoted for a bonus buy version, it may not match the UK version, so check the in-game rules. Our RTP guide explains why.

Avoid offshore bonus buy sites

Sites that advertise bonus buys to UK players, often alongside "not on GAMSTOP", aren't licensed for Great Britain. You'd lose every UK protection: stake limits, deposit limits, self-exclusion and independent dispute resolution. We never list them. Use our licence checker guide and stick to UK-licensed casinos.

Sources and checks

Checked 3 October 2026 by Ryan Jessop. Offer terms were read on each casino's promotion pages; licences were confirmed on the Gambling Commission register.

Frequently asked questions

Are bonus buy slots legal in the UK?

UK-licensed casinos don't offer them. The Gambling Commission warned in 2020 that feature buy-ins breach its technical standards.

Why can I see bonus buy on some sites?

Those sites usually aren't licensed for Great Britain and don't offer UK protections.

Do UK slots have a bonus buy alternative?

Some studios release UK-compliant game modes without the buy feature. They must meet every UK rule.