Part I: Games & Gaming · Slot Machines & Electronic Gaming

Bonus Round

Slot Mechanics

A special game-within-a-game feature triggered by specific symbol combinations (typically scatter symbols or dedicated bonus symbols), offering players additional opportunities to win beyond the base game. Bonus rounds take many forms: free spins, pick-and-click games, wheel spins, hold-and-spin features, cascading multipliers, and interactive skill-based mini-games. The bonus round’s contribution to overall RTP is a critical design parameter documented on the PAR sheet. Surveillance should note that bonus round malfunctions — including premature termination, failure to award stated prizes, or display errors — are among the most common sources of significant slot disputes.

In practice

Some jurisdictions require that bonus rounds be entirely predetermined at trigger (no player skill affecting outcome), while others permit skill-based elements.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.