In the realm of UK online slots, the concept of 'bonus buy slots' has elicited considerable intrigue and debate. These innovative game features have sparked interest among many players, but their legality in the UK has been questioned.
Bonus Buy Slots UK
The bonus buy function, also known as a 'feature buy' or 'feature drop', was initially introduced to the UK market in 2017. The feature was a big success, allowing players to purchase immediate access to a slot game's bonus features, bypassing the usual need to meet specific requirements in the base game to trigger the bonus feature. This level of control over gameplay was appealing to many players, particularly those who did not wish to wait for random bonus triggers.
However, this seemingly attractive feature was met with scrutiny from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), the regulatory body overseeing casinos and gambling establishments in the UK. They decided to ban bonus buy features in 2019, citing concerns over problem gambling and financial misuse.
Thus, the answer to the question, "Can you buy the bonus on slots in the UK?" is a firm no. The bonus buy feature is not permitted in the UK, despite its continued availability in other countries.
What Are Buy Bonus Slots?
To clarify, bonus buy slots are games that offer players the option to purchase direct access to bonus features. Contemporary slot games often come with a variety of additional features, such as extra spins, jackpots, and pick-me rounds, depending on the game.
However, these bonus features are typically triggered by meeting certain requirements in the base game, such as collecting a specific number of tokens or landing special symbols in designated positions. As mobile slot games operate on Random Number Generators (RNGs), the activation of these features is unpredictable and may take considerable time to trigger.
The bonus buy feature was introduced to bypass this waiting period, allowing players to access bonus rounds for a set cost. Despite the feature's ban in the UK, bonus buy slots continue to exist outside the UK, retaining their popularity among many international players.
UK Slots Where You Can Buy The Bonus: Do They Exist?
While bonus buy slot games remain accessible to players outside the UK, the bonus buy feature itself is unavailable to UK players. Online casinos operating in the UK are required to hold a UKGC licence, which strictly prohibits the use of bonus buying. Hence, any casino offering this feature within the UK would be in violation of UKGC regulations and likely lack the necessary security and accountability measures.
Why Bonus Buy Feature Slots Were Banned
The UKGC's decision to ban the bonus buy feature was rooted in their commitment to improving gambling experiences and protecting players from potential harm. The feature was seen to encourage greater spending without necessarily increasing the chances of potentially winning. While the bonus buy option offers access to bonus features, it does not improve odds or guarantee wins.
Therefore, the UKGC deemed the feature potentially harmful, as it could lead to excessive spending and problem gambling. The ban was aimed at promoting responsible gambling and ensuring that players did not risk financial hardship for immediate gratification.
Can You Buy Free Spins On Slots?
Similarly, the purchase of free spins on slots is not permitted in the UK. Free spins are a common bonus feature in many new slot games, providing players with a number of complimentary spins.
These spins typically come with additional benefits, such as expanding wilds or multipliers, which are not available in the base game. However, the purchase of such spins is prohibited under UKGC regulations, to prevent potential financial misuse and encourage responsible gambling.
Best Slots With Bonus Games
Despite the ban on bonus buy features, UK players can still enjoy a host of top slot games with entertaining bonus features. Some of the standout slots with bonus games include:
- Rome: The Golden Age: Offers multipliers of up to 1,000x, with sticky Rome symbols in the bonus rounds.
- Betty, Boris, and Boo: A ghost-themed slot offering sticky wilds in the bonus round and win multipliers of up to 10x.
- Foxpot: Developed by Microgaming, this slot features several bonus rounds and a Fox Wheel with three different sections.
- Deadwood: A Wild West-themed slot offering stacked nudge wilds and a progressive multiplier.
- Thunderstruck II: A Norse-themed slot with a Hall of Spins feature.
These real money slots and many others are available at licensed casinos, such as Slots UK, offering secure and fair gambling experiences.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
