What Are Bonus Rounds?

Bonus rounds are special features in online slots that give you extra chances to win beyond the base game. They can include free spins, pick-and-win games, or interactive challenges that make the gameplay more engaging and rewarding. These features add variety and keep the action interesting. In this guide, we’ll look at the different types of bonus rounds and present some of the best slots that include them.

Abby Richards
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Key Takeaways
  • Bonus rounds are essential features with various types that offer additional winning opportunities and entertainment.
  • The most common bonus rounds include free spins, interactive pick-a-box options, arcade-style games, and more.
  • Bonus rounds can enhance a slot’s winning potential through multipliers and special features.
  • Play responsibly. Gambling can be addictive.
Definition

Definition: What is a Bonus Round?

A bonus round in a slot is a special feature within the game that brings additional winning opportunities and is often triggered when specific symbols appear on the reels. These rounds usually introduce a different gameplay level or new mechanics that can lead to higher payouts.

For clarification: Bonus rounds are not an online casino bonus but rather a game feature.

How to Activate a Bonus Round in an Online Slot

Bonus rounds are usually triggered by the appearance of special symbols, such as scatter or adventure symbols. Here’s how the activation process typically works:

  1. Identify Key Symbols

    Before playing, find out which symbols trigger the bonus round and watch for them as the reels spin.

  2. Collect the Required Amount

    Usually, a certain number of these symbols (e.g., 3 or more) must land on specific or random positions on the reels to activate the bonus round.

  3. Meet the Requirements

    Once the necessary symbols are collected, the bonus round starts. This can happen automatically or require an additional click on ‘Start Bonus'.

  4. Enter a New Game Environment

    You will be taken to a specially designed game area, often featuring new graphics and sound effects.

  5. Gameplay Shift

    The bonus round often includes additional mechanics, such as free spins without deposit, interactive elements like pick-a-box games, or increased multipliers.

  6. Play Through the Bonus Round

    Take advantage of the specific benefits of the bonus round and familiarize yourself with its requirements and rules to maximize winnings.

  7. End of the Bonus Round

    After the bonus round ends, the game automatically returns to normal mode, and all winnings from the bonus round are credited to your balance. In some slot machines, new bonus rounds can be triggered during the bonus round.

How Bonus Rounds Change Gameplay

The following table shows how different bonus rounds can alter gameplay.

Bonus Round TypeTriggered BySpecial Feature
Free Spins3+ Scatter SymbolsFree spins with multipliers
Pick-a-BoxBonus symbol on a paylineChoose boxes for random cash prizes
Arcade-StyleSpecial bonus graphicsInteractive games with skill elements
Cash Trail BonusBonus symbols on consecutive reelsMove along a path collecting prizes
Wheel of FortuneThree or more wheel symbolsSpin a wheel for instant wins, multipliers, or bonuses
Level-Up BonusSpecific combinations or collectionsProgress through levels with bigger wins and bonus rounds
Sticky Wild RoundsCombination of wild and bonus symbolsWilds remain in place during the bonus round
Multiplier BonusCombination of scatters or bonus multipliersWinnings are multiplied by a fixed multiplier
Different types of bonus features in online slots

Pros and Cons of Bonus Rounds in Slot Machines

  • High winning potential: Bonus rounds offer the chance for big payouts, often through specialized features such as multipliers or extra spins.
  • Exciting variety: They add new dimensions to the slot game and offer variety through different game modes and mechanics.
  • Increased excitement: Introducing interactive elements or thematic mini-games livens up the gameplay, especially if you already know the slot well.
  • Tactical Options: You may choose to experiment with strategies, making decisions and trying to influence the outcome of the bonus round.
  • Increased Wagering: Bonus rounds don’t trigger often, which can make you place more bets than you originally planned.
  • Complex: The bonus rounds can be complicated and confusing for inexperienced players.
  • Longer gaming sessions: The excitement and objectives in bonus rounds can keep you playing longer than you planned.

Strategic Considerations About Bonus Rounds

A deep understanding of how bonus rounds work is important in order to adapt your game strategy accordingly. As a player, you have to familiarize yourself with the respective activation conditions and winning potential of the rounds and strategically adjust the stake level in order to trigger the bonus rounds with minimal risk. For example, many people use the slot machine 2 euro trick , which still stubbornly persists among the slot myths.

Abby Richards
Expert in iGaming Across International Markets

Different Types of Bonus Rounds

Like all slot features, bonus rounds come in different variations. Here, we explain the most popular types.

Classic Free Spins – Starburst

Free spins are one of the most common bonus rounds in slots and are triggered when a certain number of scatter symbols appear on the reels, usually three or more. During free spins, players can use free spins, often combined with multipliers that further increase winnings. These rounds offer the chance to win big payouts without additional bets.

Starburst
Rating: 96 / 100
Best casino to play: CoinKings
Theme: Gemstones
Software provider: NetEnt
RTP: 96,09 %
Min bet 0,10
Max bet 100
Max win x50.000
Slot reviewed by: Michael Schmitz Michael Schmitz

A well-known example is the slot Starburst, which offers players the chance for higher winnings through its free spin multipliers.

Pick-A-Box – Ramses Book

In Pick-a-Box bonus rounds, players choose from multiple options, with each box hiding random bonus offers. These bonuses can appear as instant wins or additional free spins.

Ramses Book
Rating: 96 / 100
Best casino to play: CoinKings
Theme: Books, Egypt
Software provider: Gamomat
RTP: 96,15 %
Min bet 0,05
Max bet 100
Max win x30.000
Slot reviewed by: Michael Schmitz Michael Schmitz

Ramses Book by Gamomat is known for this feature. It allows players to make interactive decisions about their potential winnings.

Arcade Style – Castle Builder

Arcade-style bonus rounds integrate mini-games into the slot that require skill and strategy. These rounds have interactive elements that make the gaming experience more dynamic.

Currently no demo available
Visit casino to play Castle Builder
Castle Builder
Rating: 94 / 100
Best casino to play: Cryptorino Casino
Theme: Middle Ages
Software provider: Rabcat
RTP: 96,47 %
Min bet 0,01
Max bet 50
Max win x20.000
Slot reviewed by: Michael Schmitz Michael Schmitz

The slot Castle Builder offers such a bonus round, where players can actively participate.

Cash Trail – Monopoly Megaways

The Cash Trail bonus is triggered when bonus symbols appear on consecutive reels. Players move along a path, collecting prizes that increase their total winnings.

In the slot Monopoly Megaways, players can advance across the iconic Monopoly board, collecting significant winnings along the way.

Wheel of Fortune – Fat Mama's Wheel

The Wheel of Fortune feature is activated when at least three wheel symbols appear on the reels. In this bonus round, the player spins a fortune wheel that offers various prizes, multipliers, or other bonuses.

Fat Mama’s Wheel
Rating: 90 / 100
Best casino to play: CoinKings
Theme: Farmlife
Software provider: Fugaso
RTP: 93,50 %
Min bet 0,20
Max bet 90
Max win x1.650
Slot reviewed by: Julia Beyer

The slot Fat Mama's Wheel is known for its wheel bonus game and is popular among those who enjoy comic-style slots.

Level Up – Vikings Go Berzerk

In Level-Up bonus rounds, players progress through different levels by completing specific combinations or collecting symbols. Each level offers bigger winnings or additional bonus rounds.

Vikings Go Berzerk is an example of a slot that uses this feature, allowing players to complete mission objectives that lead to better bonuses.

Sticky Wild Rounds – Dead or Alive II

In Sticky Wild rounds, wild symbols are combined with bonus symbols that remain in place during the bonus rounds, and so increase the chances of winning combinations.

Dead or Alive 2
Rating: 96 / 100
Best casino to play: CoinKings
Theme: Wild West
Software provider: NetEnt
RTP: 96,82 %
Min bet $0.09
Max bet $18
Max win x111,111
Slot reviewed by: Isabella Brown Isabella Brown

A prime example of this feature is Dead or Alive 2, where Sticky Wilds appear during free spins and can lead to significant winnings.

Multiplier Rounds – Gonzo's Quest

In Multiplier bonus rounds, all winnings are multiplied by a fixed multiplier after being triggered by scatter symbol combinations or bonus multipliers.

Gonzo's Quest
Rating: 92 / 100
Best casino to play: CoinKings
Theme: Adventure, Gold, Treasure Hunt
Software provider: NetEnt
RTP: 95,97 %
Min bet $0.20
Max bet $50
Max win 2,500x
Slot reviewed by: Isabella Brown Isabella Brown

The slot Gonzo's Quest is known for its bonus rounds, where the multiplier increases with each consecutive win, allowing players to enjoy big payouts.

Comparison to Other Slot Features

Bonus rounds differ significantly from other features in online slots, such as wilds and scatter symbols. They offer players a separate game environment with unique mechanics.

Wild symbols complete winning combinations, and scatter symbols are often used to trigger free spins. The bonus rounds themselves go far beyond that, offering interactive elements and extended game modes. This creates a higher chance of payout and makes an online slot more varied.

RTP Explained: How the Payout Percentage Works in Casino Games
by Julia Beyer
Last update: November 7, 2025
Slots Jammin' Jars Immortal Romance Extra Chilli Megaways Reactoonz 2 Sweet Bonanza
Provider Push Gaming Microgaming Big Time Gaming Play’n Go Pragmatic Play
RTP 95,25-96,83 96,86 96,15 96,20 96.51
Theme Disco, Fruits Love & Valentine's Day, Monster, Vampires Fruits Cluster Pay, Fantasy, Monster, Sci-Fi, Space Candy, Fruits
Paylines 243 117,649 Cluster
Min bet 0,20 0,30 0.20 $0.20 0.20
Max bet 100 30 20 $50 125
Max win x19.998,5 x12.000 x16,877 5.083x 21,175 x

Game Developers of Slots With Bonus Rounds

Almost every casino software provider has now developed slots and slot machines that use bonus rounds as a feature. Nevertheless, it is important to note that not every slot has this feature, and not every slot needs such a feature to be well received by players.

Software Providers Number of casinos
Pragmatic Play 98
NetEnt 77
Spinomenal 74
Booming Games 70
Play’n Go 69
Evoplay Entertainment 69
Betsoft Gaming 68
Playson 66
BGaming 65
Hacksaw 63
Thunderkick 63
Evolution Gaming 62
Microgaming 62
Quickspin 61
Nolimit City 60
Platipus 60
Big Time Gaming 59
Endorphina 59
Habanero 58
Red Tiger Gaming 58
Push Gaming 56
Mascot 55
Yggdrasil 53
1×2 Gaming 53
Fugaso 53
Wazdan 52
Ezugi 49
Kalamba Games 49
Fantasma 47
Amatic 46
Playtech 42
Novomatic 41
Gamomat 40
Pocket Games Soft 36
Ruby Play 35
ELK 34
MrSlotty 33
KA Gaming 33
Gaming Corps 30
Booongo 27
BF Games 25
Fazi Casino 23
EGT 20
NetGaming 17
iSoftBet 15
Pariplay 13
StakeLogic 13
Our casino Software Providers

Conclusion: Bonus Rounds Enhance the Gaming Experience

Bonus rounds in online slots enhance the gaming experience by adding excitement and variety beyond the base game. They give you more ways to win through exciting and interactive elements.

Bonus rounds introduce new elements to the main game, such as free spins, pick-a-box choices, or creative arcade-style rounds. These features increase interactivity and make slots thematically richer and more entertaining.

Used with the right strategy, bonus features can lead to exciting and rewarding adventures at crypto casino sites.

As always, play responsibly. Gambling can be addictive.

FAQs About Bonus Rounds in Online Slots

What differentiates bonus rounds from free spins?

Bonus rounds are special game modes within a slot that are triggered by meeting specific conditions and can include various interactive elements. Free spins are a type of bonus round where players receive a set number of spins at no cost, while other bonus rounds may involve tasks or mini-games requiring skill or decision-making. This should not be confused with a free spins casino bonus, which can be credited upon a deposit.

How can I maximize my winning chances in bonus rounds?

To get the most out of bonus rounds, players should thoroughly understand the rules and mechanics of the special features. Playing in demo mode can help develop strategies without risk. Additionally, adjusting the bet to trigger bonus rounds with minimal risk can be beneficial.

Why do some players experience bonus rounds less frequently?

The frequency of bonus rounds depends on the design of the individual slot. Some games are designed with high volatility, offering fewer bonus rounds but larger payouts when they do trigger. Players who want to experience bonus rounds more frequently should look for slots with lower volatility, which offer more frequent but smaller bonus rewards.

Do all slots have bonus rounds?

Not all slots feature bonus rounds. Traditional retro slots or classic fruit machines often omit these extra features to maintain a more straightforward gameplay experience. Modern video slots are more likely to incorporate bonus rounds to enhance gameplay and increase potential winnings.

Abby Richards

Created by

Before joining Kryptocasinos.com, I've worked with some of the biggest brands in the iGaming industry. I currently lead initiatives across English-speaking markets at KC, overseeing our reviews process for regions including the US, Canada, India and Australia. In my free time, you’ll find me creating avant-garde fractal art or experimenting in the kitchen as I craft new dishes.
Reviewed by
iGaming expert

Last update: November 4, 2025

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