A recent survey by Play’n GO, a leading casino entertainment provider, has revealed that most Swedish players are against the Bonus Buy feature in slot games. The feature allows players to pay a large amount to access the bonus or free spins round of a slot game, without having to wait for the normal triggers. The survey found that:
- 55% of Swedish slot players want the Bonus Buy feature to be prohibited
- 69% of the general Swedish public support changing the regulation to ban the feature
- 66% of the public and 52% of slot players think the feature exploits vulnerable gamblers
- 63% of slot players think the feature results in higher losses for players
Bonus Buy feature is controversial and banned in some countries
The Bonus Buy feature is a controversial slot mechanic that allows players to skip the base game and go directly to the bonus or free spins round of a slot game, by paying a flat fee that is usually much higher than their initial stake. For example, a player can pay 100 times their bet to access the bonus round of a slot game, instead of having to spin the reels until they get the required symbols.
The feature is banned by some of the world’s leading regulators, such as the UK Gambling Commission and the KSA of the Netherlands, who consider it to be harmful to players and against the principles of responsible gambling. The regulators have warned that the feature encourages players to increase their stake and gamble more than they have decided to, and that it reduces the randomness and unpredictability of slot games.
Play’n GO supports the prohibition of Bonus Buy feature in Sweden
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has been a vocal advocate for a sustainable, regulated, and thriving gaming industry that is based on an entertainment-first mindset. The company has pledged that it will never make a Bonus Buy game, even if that means losing revenue.
The company has also conducted a nationally representative survey in Sweden, using respondents who reported to have played slots at least once per month. The survey showed overwhelming support for the prohibition of the Bonus Buy feature in Sweden, both from the general public and from slot players themselves. The survey also revealed that Swedish slot players think that:
- changing the regulation to align with the UK and the Netherlands regarding Bonus Buy games is the responsible thing to do (61%)
- a change in the regulation shows that the Swedish government is taking gambling issues seriously (63%)
- they would be proud if the gambling regulator prohibited Bonus Buy games (53%)
Swedish gambling regulator should act on Bonus Buy feature
The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has not yet taken any action on the Bonus Buy feature, despite the growing concerns and evidence of its negative impact on players and the industry. The regulator has reported that Spelpaus, the centralised national self-exclusion system, surpassed 100,000 registered users for the first time in December 2023.
The regulator should follow the example of other leading regulators, such as the UK and the Netherlands, and ban the Bonus Buy feature from the regulated Swedish market. This would protect the players from the potential harm of the feature, and also enhance the reputation and credibility of the regulator and the industry. The regulator should listen to the voice of the Swedish players and the public, who clearly want the Bonus Buy feature to be prohibited.
