Exclusive BETO SLOTS™ Survey: Thrill Meets Compliance in Bonus Buys Player Insights (2024)

Exclusive BETO SLOTS™ Survey: Thrill Meets Compliance in Bonus Buys Player Insights (2024)

Introduction

Introduced in 2017 by Big Time Gaming with "White Rabbit," Bonus Buy slots quickly became popular and adopted by leading developers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Nolimit City.

This rapid growth led to scrutiny and a 2019 UK ban by the Gambling Commission to protect players from excessive betting, as Bonus Buys encourage high stakes to trigger bonuses, contravening established guidelines.

The Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards requirement 14A states:

“Gambling products must not actively encourage customers to chase their losses, increase their stake or increase the amount they have decided to gamble, or continue to gamble after they have indicated that they wish to stop.”

Concerns about Bonus Buys potentially leading to excessive betting and making standard gameplay seem boring prompted BETO SLOTS™ to conduct a large global survey of 26,341 players from over 30 countries across our network of sites. We aimed to understand the real impact of Bonus Buys on player engagement and their view on regular slots.

The findings reveal how Bonus Buys affect players' enthusiasm for games and their inclination toward traditional gameplay.

Poll Results and Insights From BETO Slots Survey

26,341 players from over 30+ countries participated in the BETO survey about Bonus Buys

26,341 players from over 30+ countries participated in our survey about Bonus Buys in January 2024. This survey gives a unique insight into the preferences of slot players worldwide.

Read the survey summary and insights about Bonus Buys in online slots.

Overall Engagement with Bonus Buys

  • 81% of players admitted that Bonus Buys lead to higher excitement and engagement levels when they play slots. This is the most important metric for judging the popularity of Bonus Buys, and it shows that most of our players enjoy this “straight to the action” feature.

Overall Player Insights on Responsible Gaming and BB

  •  Knowledge and Awareness: 59% of players prefer to play at casinos with clear information about the risks associated with Bonus Buy features as well as their embedded mechanics.
  • Responsible Gaming Features: 77% of respondents prefer platforms that have easy-to-use and responsible gambling tools, like time limits and reality checks.
  • Behavioral Insights: 74% of respondents will go for a “cooling off” period after triggering a big win from a Bonus Buy, which shows a high level of self-awareness and responsible behavior.

Regional Preferences and Trends

  • EU: An overwhelming majority, or 78% of players, prefer Bonus Buys and mention the “Gates of Olympus slot” as the game of choice due to its exciting gameplay and 5000X win potential. They also appreciate transparent risk disclosures regarding these features.
  • LATAM: Most Latin American players (82%) like Bonus Buys, and the players prefer games that also provide responsible gambling tools with these features. In Brazil, “Sweet Bonanza” is also one of the top slots because of its fun theme and the Bonus Buy feature.
  • APAC: 69% of all respondents enjoy Bonus Buys, and tend to prefer games with innovative Bonus Buy mechanics like Megaways slots. Furthermore, they like access to detailed game analytics after playing.

Favourite Titles and Features

  • Community Favourites: “Gates of Olympus” and “Sweet Bonanza” are BETO Slots fan favorites. “Gold Blitz” by Fortune Factory Studios and “Sugar Rush” by Pragmatic Play were also frequently mentioned because they featured Bonus Buys with innovative mechanics.
  • Innovative Bonus Buy Mechanics: Most players prefer slots with advanced features along with the Bonus Buy feature instead of just the Bonus Buy feature. These advanced features could be Progressive Multipliers, Jackpots, or mini-games.

Future Expectations for Bonus Buys

  • Feedback for Developers: Players want skill-based and interactive elements to be incorporated into the Bonus Buy features.
  • Anticipated Trends: Virtual reality slots with Bonus Buys seem attractive to most players and could lead to a new revolution in the industry.

Play’n GO’s Stance on Bonus Buys

Play'n GO, a leading slot game provider, uniquely avoids Bonus Buys in its game releases. The Chief Commercial Officer's quote below clarifies their position on Bonus Buys.

“Our decision not to offer bonus buy games stems from a deep commitment to responsible gaming. We’ve observed that it not only encourages more responsible play but also enhances the overall entertainment experience for our players.” – Magnus Olsson, CCO of Play’n GO.

Play’n GO wants to focus on entertaining the players without encouraging them to do anything risky. In fact, Play’n GO recorded their highest number of active players, rounds played, and Gross Gambling Revenue in December 2023 without compromising with their principles.

Responsible Gambling at BETO Slots

BETO Slots is committed to ensuring that players always gamble responsibly. BETO’s educational resources help players by sharing knowledge about safe gambling techniques, using tools, and overcoming gambling addiction. Feedback from user surveys and other sources shapes BETO's game offerings and informs our policies.

At BETO, players can use Bonus Buys in our slot demos, offering a safe way to explore these popular features without risking real money.

An Alternative to Bonus Buys

An alternative to Bonus Buys that can lead to a better player experience and promote responsible gambling is Feature Drop by BTG. Feature Drop is very similar to a Bonus Buy, but there is one key difference. In Feature Drop, the price of buying the bonus drops by collecting certain symbols in the base game, and it can drop down to zero to trigger the feature for free. So, the Feature Drop can help the players by dropping the price of the bonus gradually and making it affordable or free.

BETO’s Thoughts on Bonus Buys

Our survey results confirm that Bonus Buys remain highly popular. Yet, their appeal does not guarantee they are safe or responsible for all users. Maintaining a balance between innovation and responsible gaming practices is crucial to avoid promoting harmful gambling behaviors.

Play’n GO has already taken a strong stance against Bonus Buys. Still, their commercial success and growth aren’t affected negatively by their unique approach.

“What sets us apart in this competitive industry is our unwavering dedication to entertainment and responsible gaming. This differentiation not only defines our brand but also drives our commercial success and growth in regulated markets.” – Magnus Olsson, CCO of Play’n GO.

The above quote shows how Play’n GO is dedicated to promoting gambling as a form of entertainment and discourages risky behaviors.

The other big names in the industry have continued to release Bonus Buy slots. The consensus is that the players and streamers enjoy Bonus Buy features, and there is plenty of data to support this. Therefore, most developers want to include them in their slots in countries where they are legal.

Join the Discussion

Bonus Buys offer convenience and increase the immediate gameplay excitement. However, they can be addictive and dangerous. Is there a way the Bonus Buy features can be improved and become safer?

Is the ban on Bonus Buys by the UKGC justified? How can slot developers find a balance between player engagement and responsible gambling practices?

Share your thoughts and let us know your opinion about Bonus Buys and their future in the igaming world.

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Kim Birch

Redaktør hos BETO Spillemaskiner

2w

Nice work 😎

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