With online casinos currently thriving in the online world, there is naturally more traffic being driven through online casino platforms all around the world. Perhaps for the more experienced players, they will notice slight nuances in how online casinos are operated in different countries and markets, besides from the language of the website, which can also be changed such is the outreach online casinos have.
All online casinos, regardless of how old or new they are, or where they get their licensing from, will have the same standard features. These include a huge variety of online slots games along with a smattering of online blackjack, roulette, and poker games. The more advanced online casinos might also house baccarat, craps, as well as live dealer games. And those that are really in the business of pleasing their loyal customer base will even build in a sport betting platform into their services.
With all these offerings, it is easy to be carried along on the online casino wave, enjoying the bonuses thrown at you before diving into the ocean of online casino action. However, those who are sharper eyed will perhaps notice one other feature that does not appear on all online casinos and is not even legal in all online casino markets.
What is a bonus buy game?
One of the most popular features on online casinos is the ability to purchase bonus rounds, as a way of making quicker advances through a game and to reap greater rewards. These are known in the industry as bonus buys, and they are built into online slots games. Online slots themselves have evolved quickly, with characters, storylines, and tiered game play incorporated to make for a more interactive experience.
With rounds built into a game, including bonuses rounds, the opportunity to skip ordinary rounds of play to shoot for the stars is an advantageous incentive for many players. Many players enjoy the control of the game play aspect, while players staking higher wagers enjoy the prospect of winning bigger. Much like cheat codes on the old PlayStation, bonus buy games allow online casino players to get the most out of their online casino experience.
Not a bonus to be bought for everyone
Despite their universal popularity, there are a couple of markets in the world of online casino where locally licensed online casino providers are not permitted to offer bonus buy games. In the United Kingdom, one of the leading markets in the online casino industry, and the Netherlands, bonuses of this type have been banned.
The UK took the step of banning bonus buy games in 2019, with the Netherlands following suit this year. While players based in the UK can still access slots where you can buy bonus UK games by playing on international markets, those online casinos registering with the UK Gambling Commission and operating under UK licenses will not be able to build the bonus buy feature into their platforms.
The Netherlands is one of the newcomers to the online casino industry but made the decision immediately to ban this activity. It remains to be seen which other markets will follow the example of the UK and Netherlands. Many markets, especially the new, emerging ones, will see bonus buy games as a lucrative avenue, but markets such as Sweden, are exploring the other side of the coin.
From various surveys conducted over the past years, up to 69% people of those asked have been in favor of changing the rules around bonus buy games to have them banned. Play’n Go co-founder and CEO, Johan Törnqvist has also been vocal on the harmful effects of bonus buy games and hopes the Swedish government will take a stricter stance on these bonuses and the encouragement they give players.
Despite the fact the UK banned bonus buy slots five years ago, the conversation continues around the presence of bonus buy games. With Sweden adding their voice to the cause, other markets could do the same.
