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Buying Free Spins: What UK Players Need To Know
Free spins bonuses in online slots can help add extra fun to your gameplay, especially if they unlock any special features, like multipliers or expanding symbols. But in the UK, the way free spins work is shaped by strict gambling regulations.
This guide explains how free spins bonuses can be triggered, why you can’t buy them on UK-licensed slot sites, and what this means when you play.
Whether you’re exploring a new slot or trying to understand the rules, this guide offers clear, up-to-date information tailored to UK players.
What Are Free Spins In Online Slots?
In slot games, free spins are bonus rounds you can potentially unlock while playing. You don’t pay for each spin during these rounds—they’re awarded automatically when certain symbols appear on the reels. Most commonly, landing three or more Scatter symbols during a single spin will activate a free spins feature.
Once triggered, these rounds can offer extra features. For example, you might see:
Multipliers, which can increase the value of any win.
Sticky wilds, which stay in place for more spins.
Expanding symbols, which stretch to cover reels.
Free spins features vary by game. In Book of Dead (Play’n GO), free spins include a randomly chosen symbol that can expand. In Fishin’ Frenzy (Blueprint Gaming), you can catch cash values during the free spins round if special symbols land alongside them.
You can find out how these features work by checking the game’s paytable or rules. Most slots have a button marked “i” or “help” that opens this information.
Not all UK casinos offer the same slot games, so you’ll need to look through the game library of the site you’re using to see what’s available.
Why You Can’t Buy Free Spins On UK Slot Sites
In some countries, certain slots might offer a “bonus buy” option, which lets players pay extra to trigger the free spins bonus instantly. This feature is banned in the UK.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) prohibited the use of bonus buys in online slots. Any UK-licensed casino must ensure that features like free spins can only be unlocked through gameplay—players cannot pay to skip ahead.
This rule was introduced to help reduce harm. Studies found that bonus buys could lead to higher and faster spending, often without players fully understanding the cost. Some games charged more than 100 times the base stake for one round of free spins.
As a result, slot developers release modified versions of their games for the UK, removing the bonus buy feature entirely. If you’re playing at a UK-regulated casino, you shouldn’t see this option.
How UK Players Unlock Bonus Rounds Instead
In the UK, bonus rounds like free spins may be activated through standard gameplay, rather than by paying extra. Most commonly, this involves landing three or more Scatter symbols in a single spin. These symbols must appear during the same round, as they don’t carry over between spins.
That said, slot mechanics can vary. Some games might use cascading reels—where any winning combinations disappear, and new symbols drop into place— potentially allowing for multiple consecutive wins, which might trigger a bonus round depending on the game’s design.
Other slot games might offer interactive “pick-me” features, where selecting on-screen items might reveal possible rewards such as free spins or multipliers.
Since the way bonuses are triggered depends entirely on the slot’s structure, it may be a good idea to review the paytable or information section before you start playing.
All regulated slot outcomes are determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), which means each spin is random and unaffected by previous results. There’s no method or pattern that can influence when, or if, a bonus round will occur.
Bonus Buy Bans: What Was The Reason?
The ban on bonus buys was introduced to make slot games safer. When players were able to buy access to features like free spins, the cost could quickly rise—often going beyond the amount spent in standard gameplay.
For example, some slots offered bonus buys priced at 80x to 150x the base bet, respectively. This made it easier to spend large sums quickly. The UKGC acted on evidence showing this type of fast spending could be harmful.
By banning these features, UK slot games are now designed to ensure that all players go through the same game process, unlocking features by playing, rather than by paying extra. It also gives players more time to pause and consider their decisions between spins.
Is Missing Out On Bonus Buys A Big Deal?
The absence of bonus buys doesn’t remove features from UK slot games—it just changes how you access them. Free spins, wilds, multipliers and other bonuses are still available, but they need to be triggered naturally during play.
Many games were originally designed this way, with features built to activate through the base game. Some players enjoy the possibility of unlocking a bonus this way, while others might prefer faster games. What’s “better” is subjective and depends on your preferences.
Games like Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play), Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger), and Eye of Horus Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) all offer bonus rounds that can be triggered through standard spins. These games are available at many UK-licensed casinos, but availability can vary between sites.
Since the outcomes of slot games are random, there’s no guaranteed way to reach or win in a bonus round. Choosing a slot game depends on what features or themes interest you—not on trying to force a certain result.
Do Free Spins Still Offer Big Win Potential?
Free spins can offer higher win potential, particularly if features like multipliers, sticky wilds, or expanding symbols are active. Some slots might offer top payouts of 5,000x or more your total stake during these rounds, though such large wins are uncommon.
Every slot has a maximum possible payout and a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The RTP represents the average potential return over millions of spins.
For example, a slot with a 96% RTP may theoretically return £96 for every £100 wagered. However, this is only a statistical model and does not reflect individual results. All outcomes are random and generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG), meaning no strategy or pattern can influence the outcomes.
Bonus rounds might end with smaller or moderate wins, and sometimes with no win at all. To get a clear idea of a slot’s potential, check its information section or paytable, which should outline its features, RTP, and maximum potential payouts.
Popular UK Slots With Free Spin Rounds
Many UK slot games offer a free spins bonus as part of the gameplay. A few examples include:
Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Eye of Horus Megaways (Blueprint Gaming)
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger)
Fishin’ Frenzy (Blueprint Gaming)
Legacy of Dead (Play’n GO)
Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play)
Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)
The Goonies (Blueprint Gaming)
Sugar Rush (Pragmatic Play)
Each slot’s rules section will explain how its free spins bonus works.
Not all casinos offer all of these games, so you may want to check the site’s game list to see what’s available before playing.
Play Online Slots at Dream Jackpot
Dream Jackpot is licensed by the UKGC and provides a secure environment with games from well-known and reputable providers. Our site offers a wide selection of online slots and casino games, all in one place.
If there’s a specific slot or bonus feature you’re interested in, you can browse the games library or check the paytables to see what’s available. Logging in or registering allows you to explore the full range of options.
To help you play in a way that suits you, Dream Jackpot also offers tools such as limit-setting features and access to useful information. These can help support a more informed approach while you try out different casino games. Please play responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
Free spins bonuses in online slots can help add extra fun to your gameplay, especially if they unlock any special features, like multipliers or expanding symbols. But in the UK, the way free spins work is shaped by strict gambling regulations.
This guide explains how free spins bonuses can be triggered, why you can’t buy them on UK-licensed slot sites, and what this means when you play.
Whether you’re exploring a new slot or trying to understand the rules, this guide offers clear, up-to-date information tailored to UK players.
What Are Free Spins In Online Slots?
In slot games, free spins are bonus rounds you can potentially unlock while playing. You don’t pay for each spin during these rounds—they’re awarded automatically when certain symbols appear on the reels. Most commonly, landing three or more Scatter symbols during a single spin will activate a free spins feature.
Once triggered, these rounds can offer extra features. For example, you might see:
Multipliers, which can increase the value of any win.
Sticky wilds, which stay in place for more spins.
Expanding symbols, which stretch to cover reels.
Free spins features vary by game. In Book of Dead (Play’n GO), free spins include a randomly chosen symbol that can expand. In Fishin’ Frenzy (Blueprint Gaming), you can catch cash values during the free spins round if special symbols land alongside them.
You can find out how these features work by checking the game’s paytable or rules. Most slots have a button marked “i” or “help” that opens this information.
Not all UK casinos offer the same slot games, so you’ll need to look through the game library of the site you’re using to see what’s available.
Why You Can’t Buy Free Spins On UK Slot Sites
In some countries, certain slots might offer a “bonus buy” option, which lets players pay extra to trigger the free spins bonus instantly. This feature is banned in the UK.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) prohibited the use of bonus buys in online slots. Any UK-licensed casino must ensure that features like free spins can only be unlocked through gameplay—players cannot pay to skip ahead.
This rule was introduced to help reduce harm. Studies found that bonus buys could lead to higher and faster spending, often without players fully understanding the cost. Some games charged more than 100 times the base stake for one round of free spins.
As a result, slot developers release modified versions of their games for the UK, removing the bonus buy feature entirely. If you’re playing at a UK-regulated casino, you shouldn’t see this option.
How UK Players Unlock Bonus Rounds Instead
In the UK, bonus rounds like free spins may be activated through standard gameplay, rather than by paying extra. Most commonly, this involves landing three or more Scatter symbols in a single spin. These symbols must appear during the same round, as they don’t carry over between spins.
That said, slot mechanics can vary. Some games might use cascading reels—where any winning combinations disappear, and new symbols drop into place— potentially allowing for multiple consecutive wins, which might trigger a bonus round depending on the game’s design.
Other slot games might offer interactive “pick-me” features, where selecting on-screen items might reveal possible rewards such as free spins or multipliers.
Since the way bonuses are triggered depends entirely on the slot’s structure, it may be a good idea to review the paytable or information section before you start playing.
All regulated slot outcomes are determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), which means each spin is random and unaffected by previous results. There’s no method or pattern that can influence when, or if, a bonus round will occur.
Bonus Buy Bans: What Was The Reason?
The ban on bonus buys was introduced to make slot games safer. When players were able to buy access to features like free spins, the cost could quickly rise—often going beyond the amount spent in standard gameplay.
For example, some slots offered bonus buys priced at 80x to 150x the base bet, respectively. This made it easier to spend large sums quickly. The UKGC acted on evidence showing this type of fast spending could be harmful.
By banning these features, UK slot games are now designed to ensure that all players go through the same game process, unlocking features by playing, rather than by paying extra. It also gives players more time to pause and consider their decisions between spins.
Is Missing Out On Bonus Buys A Big Deal?
The absence of bonus buys doesn’t remove features from UK slot games—it just changes how you access them. Free spins, wilds, multipliers and other bonuses are still available, but they need to be triggered naturally during play.
Many games were originally designed this way, with features built to activate through the base game. Some players enjoy the possibility of unlocking a bonus this way, while others might prefer faster games. What’s “better” is subjective and depends on your preferences.
Games like Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play), Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger), and Eye of Horus Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) all offer bonus rounds that can be triggered through standard spins. These games are available at many UK-licensed casinos, but availability can vary between sites.
Since the outcomes of slot games are random, there’s no guaranteed way to reach or win in a bonus round. Choosing a slot game depends on what features or themes interest you—not on trying to force a certain result.
Do Free Spins Still Offer Big Win Potential?
Free spins can offer higher win potential, particularly if features like multipliers, sticky wilds, or expanding symbols are active. Some slots might offer top payouts of 5,000x or more your total stake during these rounds, though such large wins are uncommon.
Every slot has a maximum possible payout and a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The RTP represents the average potential return over millions of spins.
For example, a slot with a 96% RTP may theoretically return £96 for every £100 wagered. However, this is only a statistical model and does not reflect individual results. All outcomes are random and generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG), meaning no strategy or pattern can influence the outcomes.
Bonus rounds might end with smaller or moderate wins, and sometimes with no win at all. To get a clear idea of a slot’s potential, check its information section or paytable, which should outline its features, RTP, and maximum potential payouts.
Popular UK Slots With Free Spin Rounds
Many UK slot games offer a free spins bonus as part of the gameplay. A few examples include:
Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Eye of Horus Megaways (Blueprint Gaming)
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger)
Fishin’ Frenzy (Blueprint Gaming)
Legacy of Dead (Play’n GO)
Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play)
Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)
The Goonies (Blueprint Gaming)
Sugar Rush (Pragmatic Play)
Each slot’s rules section will explain how its free spins bonus works.
Not all casinos offer all of these games, so you may want to check the site’s game list to see what’s available before playing.
Play Online Slots at Dream Jackpot
Dream Jackpot is licensed by the UKGC and provides a secure environment with games from well-known and reputable providers. Our site offers a wide selection of online slots and casino games, all in one place.
If there’s a specific slot or bonus feature you’re interested in, you can browse the games library or check the paytables to see what’s available. Logging in or registering allows you to explore the full range of options.
To help you play in a way that suits you, Dream Jackpot also offers tools such as limit-setting features and access to useful information. These can help support a more informed approach while you try out different casino games. Please play responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
