Written by Ryan Mitchell· Reviewed by Mark Rylance· Published 19 May 2026 · Updated 8 June 2026 · 2 min read
Bonus Symbols are the trigger icons that unlock extra rounds rather than paying line wins on their own. Found across 11 titles, they usually gate Free Spins or pick features once enough land on the reels.
Bonus Symbols are trigger icons rather than standard paying tiles. Landing a set number of them, often three or more, opens a secondary round: Free Spins, a pick screen, or a wheel. They tend to be themed to the game, styled as chests, coins, or badges instead of the usual card ranks. In my view they earn their place through what they unlock, not through direct line payouts.
Role on the reels and payouts
Unlike a Scatter that often pays a scatter win as well, a pure Bonus Symbol usually pays nothing on its own. Its whole value sits in the feature it triggers. The paytable of most releases lists the trigger requirement rather than a coin figure. I tend to check whether the symbol can appear on all reels or only a few, because restricted positions make the round much harder to reach.
Historically the mechanic was reworked more than once. Early builds simply needed three matching icons on a payline; later iterations bolted on the retrigger layer so extra symbols during the round extend the spins. Personally I rate the versions that let you retrigger, since a single trigger can otherwise feel thin against the base wager.
Who invented Bonus Symbols?
Crediting the idea to a single studio is awkward, since it was borrowed and refined from older land-based machines. It all began around the shift to feature-driven video slots, when a dedicated trigger icon replaced payline-only bonus rules. Over successive releases it evolved into the standard gate for Free Spins.
Elsewhere I would test Wild Wild Riches and Book of Ra Deluxe to see two different approaches: one modern and feature-heavy, one retro and stripped back. Average RTP across these lands near 96.7%, though the max win varies wildly by title, so read each paytable before committing real stakes.
FAQ
On how many slots do Bonus Symbols appear?
Bonus Symbols currently feature across 11 slots in this collection. Most come from Red Rake and Amatic Industries, with an average RTP of 96.7%.
Does the Bonus Symbol have a special function?
Its main job is triggering a secondary round such as Free Spins or a pick feature. It rarely pays a line win on its own, so its value depends entirely on the bonus it opens.
Which Bonus Symbol slots have the best RTP?
RTP sits around 96.7% on average, though figures differ per game. Check the paytable of titles like Book of Ra Deluxe or Hot Fruits 100 before you play.
Can you play Bonus Symbol slots for free?
Yes. Most of these titles offer free demos, letting you test the trigger and feature without staking real money. It is a sensible way to gauge how often the symbol lands.
How many Bonus Symbols are needed to trigger a round?
Three is the most common requirement, though some slots ask for more or count symbols across specific reels. The exact rule is listed in each game's paytable.
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