Bonus Buy Slots in 2025: Fast Track or Fast Fail?

Meta Title: Do Bonus Buy Slots Offer Real Value In 2025?

Meta Description: Tried Bonus Buy slots in 2025? I did. Read on to see when they work, when they don’t, and how to tell the difference before you waste your balance.

Bonus Buy slots are everywhere right now. But are they worth trying? In 2025, I finally gave these features a proper test. I spun. I bought. I lost. I won. And I kept notes. Below, I’m sharing everything I learned.

Speaking of fast-track features, MateSlots offers instant win alternatives like Aviator and Spaceman beyond bonus buy slots. Their five-tier welcome structure gives 125% matching up to A$1,500 on your second deposit for testing various game types.

What Are Bonus Buy Slots?

You don’t have to wait for free spins or other features to land. You just purchase them. Make one click, and you’re in the extra round.

It usually costs 50x to 150x your current bet. Some games even offer several types of buys – regular bonus, super bonus, and mystery bonus.

The Pros and Cons of Feature Buy-Ins

There are both positives and negatives about these buy-ins. Here’s my take on it:

Why I Like Them (Sometimes)

If I’m testing a new slot, I often pay for the extra round right away just to see what the feature looks like. Also, if I’ve had a lucky run and I’m ahead, I might try one or two buys-ins for the thrill.

Another time I use them is when I’m short on time. I want the main action without sitting through 20 minutes of dead spins.

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But Are They Worth It?

Say you’re betting €1. The feature buy-in costs 100x. So, €100 for one shot. In some slots, I walked away with €20. In others, €160. But more often than not, it was below €100.

During one session on Sugar Rush 1000, I bought the round for €80. I got €12 back. Tried again. €24. One more time – €6. Total loss? €138 in less than 5 minutes.

Another time on Money Train 4, I bought the feature for €100. Hit €250 back. That felt good, but it didn’t happen often.

You need to understand that these fast-track options are super high-risk. The payouts swing hard. Most buys are underwhelming. A few explode.

Buy-Ins vs Natural Bonus: Which Pays More?

Some slots actually give better RTP if you don’t purchase the extra round. The Dog House Megaways is such a game. 

  • Normal play RTP: 96.5%
  • Bonus Buy RTP: 95.3%

Technically, you’re giving up some long-term value for the shortcut.

But other games keep RTP the same, or even increase it slightly when buying. Chaos Crew 2, for example, keeps it at 96% both ways.

So, you’ve got to check the game info panel before you click “Buy.” 

Bonus Buy Slots That Worked for Me

I’m not saying they’re all bad. A few gave me solid returns. Here are some I’d try again:

Slot NameProviderBuy CostMy ReturnThoughts
Money Train 4Relax Gaming100x120%Good for long runs
Chaos Crew 2Hacksaw Gaming200x160%Super volatile, but exciting
Gladiator LegendsHacksaw Gaming150x110%Reached 500x once
Fire in the HoleNolimit City60x–500xMixed (avg 80%)Lower buys are less brutal

But remember that these are averages. One day a slot’s hot, the next it’s ice cold.

When I Don’t Use Feature Buy-Ins

I skip the buy feature if:

  • The base game already has cool features (like random multipliers or wild reels).
  • The game gives you frequent bonuses naturally.
  • I’ve tested the buy a few times and it keeps flopping.
  • The bonus max win is too low to justify the cost.

For example, on Big Bass Bonanza, the bonus lands often enough on its own. I’d rather wait it out than pay 100x for a 20x return.

Smart Things I Do Before Buying

Here’s how I avoid dumb decisions:

  • I always check the info screen for RTP details. It takes 10 seconds.
  • I watch a couple of YouTube runs of the same game. If the extra round keeps paying 5x–15x, that’s a red flag.
  • I start on small bets. No sense throwing €100 on a blind guess.
  • I note my average return. If I’ve bought the round 5 times and lost 4, I’m done.

Also, I give it a few base spins before buying. Sometimes the game is “alive” and gives the bonus naturally.

So, Do They Offer Better Value in 2025?

Bonus Buys give you speed. That’s the draw. But most of the time, they don’t pay better. 

You burn through balance quicker. You don’t get to stretch out your session. You take bigger risks in less time.

If you want to try feature buy-ins, go ahead. But don’t expect them to be a shortcut to profit. They’re more like a shortcut to the finish line – win or lose.