Bonus Buy vs Free Spins
Two things share the words “free spins”. A bonus buy (feature buy) lets you pay a fixed multiple of your stake, often 100x, to trigger a pokie’s free spins round immediately. A free spins promotion is a casino offer of spins at a fixed stake, paid for by a deposit or given free. One is a way of playing a game, the other is a bonus with terms. Comparing them shows what each A$ actually buys.
This page sets out the costs and rules for both. It is part of our bonus guides, and the game mechanics are explained in our bonus buy pokies guide.
How a Bonus Buy Works
You choose a stake, press the buy button and pay the listed multiple. The game then plays its free spins round as if scatters had landed. Examples from our slot reviews:
- Gates of Olympus: Buy Free Spins at 100x the stake; the default RTP of 96.50% includes the buy.
- Sweet Bonanza: a buy feature for its free spins round where the casino allows it.
- Money Train 3 and many Nolimit City titles: buy options where available, some games selling several feature tiers at different prices.
At A$1 per spin, a 100x buy costs A$100 in one bet. At the game’s RTP, the average return is about A$96.50 per A$100 buy, but individual results range from a fraction of the cost to thousands of times the stake.
How Promotional Free Spins Work
The casino credits a set number of spins on one pokie at a fixed stake, usually A$0.10 to A$0.20. Winnings are bonus money with wagering, often 30x to 40x, unless the spins are wager-free. Examples from our reviews: RocketPlay’s Friday spins (20/50/100 for A$30/A$75/A$150, x40), CristalPoker’s 100 no deposit spins (x30, A$80 cap) and Casiny’s wager-free welcome spins (cap A$500). Full details in our free spins guide.
Side-by-Side
| Factor | Bonus buy | Free spins promotion |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Paid: typically 50x–200x the stake per buy | Included with a deposit or free |
| What you get | The game’s feature round, immediately | Regular base-game spins at a fixed stake |
| Stake | Chosen by you | Set by the casino |
| Return | About the game’s RTP on the buy amount | Spin value x RTP, then wagering |
| Wagering on winnings | None if real money | Usually 30x–40x, unless wager-free |
| Variance | Very high per bet | Low per spin, high relative to the small spin value |
| Win cap | Game max win only | Often A$50–A$1,750 per offer |
Worked Example: A$100 Two Ways
Option A: one bonus buy at A$1 stake for 100x = A$100. Expected return A$96.50 at 96.50% RTP. One result, which can be A$20 or A$2,000.
Option B: base-game spins at A$0.20 = 500 spins. Expected return also about A$96.50 at the same RTP. On many pokies 500 spins may or may not trigger the feature; the triggering frequency is listed in some games’ info screens.
The average cost is the same: about A$3.50 per A$100 at 96.50% RTP. The difference is time and variance. The buy compresses the session into one event; base-game spins spread it out.
Option C: a free spins promotion, for example 100 spins at A$0.20 included with a deposit. The spins are worth A$20 of play and return about A$19.20 at 96% RTP, then face wagering. At x40, the A$19.20 needs A$768 of turnover and its expected loss (A$30.72) exceeds the winnings. The spins add play but rarely cash.
Why Bonus Buys Are Banned During Wagering
Most offshore casino terms forbid feature buys while a bonus is active, for three reasons:
- A single buy is a large bet, often above the max bet: a 100x buy at A$0.20 is a A$20 bet against a typical A$8 limit.
- Buys concentrate variance, letting a player try to hit a big win quickly with bonus money.
- The buy’s contribution to wagering would let turnover pile up in a few bets.
Breaking this rule can void the bonus and winnings. Some casinos also offer “no bonus buy” versions of games, or remove the buy option for players in certain regions. Check the game contribution and exclusion list before playing.
Bonus Buys and Budget
The cost per buy is the main risk. At A$1 stake and 100x, ten buys use A$1,000. Pokie features have wide outcome ranges, so a run of below-cost results is common. If you use buys:
- Set the number of buys before starting and keep the stake low enough for at least 10 to 20 buys within your budget.
- Treat each buy as a single large bet, not as a series of spins.
- Do not use buys with bonus money unless the terms permit it.
Our bankroll management guide covers stake sizing, and volatility explains why buy results vary so much.
Which Fits Which Player
- Small budget, wants play time: base-game spins or a free spins promotion.
- Wants to see the feature without waiting: a bonus buy with real money, at a stake that allows several buys.
- Clearing a bonus: base-game spins only; buys are almost always prohibited.
- Testing a game: demo mode lets you try the buy feature without cost. See demo play.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A bonus buy is a paid bet that triggers a game’s feature round. A free spins promotion is a casino bonus of spins at a fixed stake, usually with wagering on winnings.
The buy has its own RTP listed in the game rules, often close to the base game. Gates of Olympus lists 96.50% for both.
Usually not. Most casino terms prohibit feature buys during wagering, and a buy can exceed the max bet.
Typically 50x to 200x the stake; 100x is a frequent price. At A$1 stake a 100x buy costs A$100.
They cost nothing extra but are small and usually wagered. A bonus buy costs more but pays in real money with no wagering.
Bonus buys are high-stakes bets. Play only if you are 18+, and call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 for free support.