The Swedish game-making powerhouse Play’n GO came out with an interesting study suggesting Swedish players are to ban Bonus Buy slots.
Presented as results from an exclusive polling conducted in Sweden, the study shows that 55% of players in Sweden are in support of a ban. Moreover, the study reveals a definite support of the ban from the general public as well.
Buy Bonus – Not in Sweden
Bonus Buy games are online casino slots that have a Bonus Buy functionality which allows players to purchase Free Spins, rather than wait to trigger them. This functionality appeared a couple of years ago and instantly became popular amongst slot players.
Today, however, there's a ban in some of the key iGaming markets, and it seems Sweden is on the way to ban it as well.
Notably, the option is banned in the UK and the Netherlands. Hence, games that generally have the Bonus Buy option cannot offer it to UK and Dutch players. However, we must clarify that they banned the option, not the games – the games still appear in the markets but players must wait to trigger FS organically, and not buy them.
Now, Sweden might become the next market where Buy Bonus slots are not welcome.
Study Results
In short, there’s an overwhelming support of banning the Buy Bonus mechanic in slots. The general public – 69% – are in favor of banning it. Even players support it – 55% of surveyed players think the option should get a prohibition.
Moreover, a huge percentage of players (and general public with no gambling affiliation) consider the mechanic dangerous. According to Play’n GO, they think it exploits vulnerable players.
Johan Törnqvist, CEO and Co-founder of Play’n GO, commented on the study and shown results. He said, “I pledged as far back as 2021 that Play’n GO would never make a Bonus Buy game³ – a decision that has cost us hundreds of millions of Swedish Krona – but I stand by that decision. Bonus buy games are harmful to players, and to the long-term health and sustainability of the entire industry, and they should be excluded from the regulated Swedish market.”
You can read the full study here.
Do you think Sweden will ban the Buy Bonus mechanic in the future? Stay tuned for more info and updates.