Guides
Can you use bonus buy with a casino bonus?
Most casino bonus terms either exclude bonus buys or treat them as a stake above the maximum bet, which can void the bonus and its winnings. Ante bets work in a similar way because they raise the stake. If the terms ban feature buys, it is safest to trigger features through normal spins.
6 min · Updated 4 Sep 2026
Keep these
- Feature buy, bonus buy, ante and Super Spin have different names, but under a bonus they carry the same risk.
- If the terms ban feature buys, do not use them, because support will follow the written terms.
- An ante looks like a simple toggle, but with a €5 maximum bet it can push the stake over the limit.
- Finishing the remaining wagering with normal spins under the maximum bet can be fine, but buying a feature to finish faster is a common reason a bonus is cancelled.
- The original Starburst has no feature buy, which is one reason it is on our list of calmer games for wagering.
What a feature buy is
A feature buy is a paid shortcut into the bonus round. Hacksaw offers it, Pragmatic offers ante and buy options on Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza, and NetEnt’s Judgemental has Elevate buy modes. Studios sell the feature buy as part of the game, but bonus terms usually exclude it.
What bonus terms usually say
Terms usually do one of the following: they exclude bonus buys, cap them, count them as a stake above the maximum bet, or void the bonus if a feature was bought. Live chat will normally side with the written terms. If the terms ban feature buys, do not use them.
Why ante also counts
An ante looks like a toggle rather than a purchase. It still raises the stake and, on some games, the chance to trigger the feature. With a €5 maximum bet, an ante can push the stake over the limit without the bet selector moving. The max-bet guide explains the limit itself.
When playing a high-volatility slot is still fine
Finishing the remaining wagering on Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza or Wanted Dead or a Wild can be fine, as long as you play normal spins under the maximum bet. Buying the feature to finish faster is not covered by that.
Starburst has no feature buy
The original Starburst has no feature buy, which is one reason it is on our list of calmer games for wagering. If you want the wagering to move without that risk, choose a game that does not offer a buy option.
FAQ
Is bonus buy allowed with a casino bonus?
Usually not. Most bonus terms exclude feature buys, cap them, or count them as a stake above the maximum bet, and some cancel the bonus if a feature was bought. Rules differ between casinos, so check the bonus terms of the casino where you play before you use the buy button.
Does an ante bet count toward the maximum bet?
Yes. An ante raises the stake on every spin, so it counts toward the maximum bet even when the terms do not name it. With a €5 limit, an ante can take your stake over the line without the bet selector moving, and that can cost you the bonus.
Which slots have no feature buy?
The original Starburst is one example, which is one reason it is on our list of calmer games for wagering. Many newer slots offer a buy option in some versions, so check the game’s info panel at the casino where you play before you start wagering a bonus on it.
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