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 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
Overall Player Insights on Responsible Gaming and BB
Regional Preferences and Trends
Favourite Titles and Features
Future Expectations for Bonus Buys
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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1mo👍❤️💡😁👏
Redaktør hos BETO Spillemaskiner
1moNice work 😎