The bonus round is the slot's feature game — usually a set of free spins with enhanced mechanics (multipliers, sticky wilds, expanding reels), or a pick-and-win interactive minigame. Triggered most often by 3 or more scatter symbols.
Bonus rounds are where most of a high-volatility slot's RTP lives. The base game can be relatively dry; the bonus round is where the math compresses long-run returns into headline wins.
UK note: bonus-buy features that let you skip the base game and pay to enter the bonus round directly were prohibited at UKGC-licensed casinos from late 2023.
Example usage
- 10 free spins with 2x multiplier on all wins
- Pick a chest minigame for cash prizes
Related terms
- Bonus buy — A slot feature that lets you pay a multiple of your stake to skip the base game and trigger the bonus round.
- Free spins — Spins on a slot game awarded by an operator, with any resulting winnings usually subject to wagering.
- Multiplier — A factor that multiplies a win, often building progressively during a bonus round.
- Scatter symbol — A symbol that triggers a feature when a minimum number appear anywhere on the reels, regardless of payline.