The persistent popularity of Bonus Buy Slots in the United Kingdom
In the world of online casinos, the popularity of bonus buy slots remains high among players in the UK and Sweden. However, these games have faced restrictions in the UK, with a ban on bonus buy slots being implemented by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) in 2019.
The reason behind this ban is the violation of UKGC's remote gambling and software technical standards. Bonus buy slots, which allow players to pay additional amounts to trigger bonus rounds instantly, are seen as encouraging players to increase their stakes or pursue losses, going against responsible gambling principles.
Currently, bonus buy slots remain available and regulated in other jurisdictions, but they are unlicensed and unregulated in the UK. Any UK online casino offering these types of slots would not hold a valid UKGC licence and thus would be operating illegally.
As for the future, there is no indication that the UKGC plans to lift or modify the ban on bonus buy slots. The focus remains on protecting players from features that could promote problematic gambling behavior.
Meanwhile, the topic of banning bonus buy games in Sweden has been brought up, but a decision has yet to be made. The UK online casino industry, which generated £6.5 billion in revenue in 2022-2023 and is projected to reach £10.84 billion by the end of 2024, continues to face new challenges, suggesting potential future legislative changes to ensure a safer environment for all players.
Players in the UK are advised to play only on sites licensed by the UKGC to guarantee compliance and player protection, avoiding unregulated platforms that may offer bonus buy slots. The ability to achieve greater rewards by skipping to bonus rounds is the primary advantage of bonus buy slots for many players, but this feature comes with risks that the UKGC is working to mitigate.
References:
- casino-professor.com (2025-07-22)
- whichbingo.co.uk (2025-08-04)
Regarding the UK Gambling Commission's stance, bonus buy slots, a popular online casino-and-gambling feature, have been banned due to non-compliance with remote gambling and software technical standards, as they encourage excessive gambling. On the other hand, bonus buy slots remain legal in other jurisdictions, but unlicensed and unregulated within the UK, making them a risk for players who opt to engage in them.
