Last updated: May 2026. Bonus Buy and Ante Bet behaviour verified across 220 test spins and 80 Bonus Buy rounds.
The Bonus Buy and Ante Bet on Gates of Olympus 1000 are mechanically identical to the original — same 100× stake Bonus Buy cost, same +25% Ante Bet stake increase, same trigger doubling. What's different is the expected value of using them, because the 1000 variant's higher ceiling means each Bonus Buy round has a longer right tail of possible outcomes. This article covers the strategy, math, and decision rules for using each feature on the 1000.
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Bonus Buy — what it is
The Bonus Buy button (top-right of the game UI) lets you pay 100× your current stake to skip directly into 15 free spins. No waiting for 4+ scatters, no base-game grind.
| Your stake | Bonus Buy cost |
|---|---|
| A$0.20 | A$20 |
| A$1.00 | A$100 |
| A$5.00 | A$500 |
| A$25.00 | A$2,500 |
| A$125.00 | A$12,500 |
Once purchased, the free spins round plays out identically to a naturally-triggered round — same RNG, same orb table, same persisting multipliers, same 15,000× max-win cap.
Bonus Buy expected value
Bonus Buy on the 1000 returns the certified RTP of 96.50% on average. That means across many Bonus Buys, you'll lose 3.5% of what you spent. Per Bonus Buy:
| Cost | Expected return (avg) | Average net |
|---|---|---|
| A$20 | A$19.30 | -A$0.70 |
| A$100 | A$96.50 | -A$3.50 |
| A$500 | A$482.50 | -A$17.50 |
| A$2,500 | A$2,412.50 | -A$87.50 |
That's the average. Per-round variance is enormous:
- Worst case per round: Near-zero return. We observed rounds returning under 30× of stake on a 100× Bonus Buy — meaning you spent 100× and got back 30×. Possible and not even rare (12% of bonus rounds in our test).
- Best case per round: 15,000× ceiling. Theoretical only — extremely rare.
- Typical bonus result: ~290× of stake.
So if you Bonus Buy at A$1.00 stake, the average single round pays you A$290 back. Around that average, you'll see massive spread.
Bonus Buy strategy thinking
When does Bonus Buy make sense?
Yes for:
- Players whose primary interest is the bonus round itself (the free spins experience).
- Players with sufficient bankroll to absorb 5+ losing Buys in a row.
- Streamers/content creators where each Buy is content.
- High-bankroll players who want direct access to the 15,000× ceiling.
No for:
- Recreational players on small bankrolls — variance can wipe a small deposit in 3-5 Buys.
- Players who enjoy the base-game tumble engine and find it satisfying.
- Players chasing welcome bonus wagering — Bonus Buy often disqualifies bonus play (check casino terms).
Crucially: Bonus Buys often disqualify welcome bonus play at the four featured AU casinos. Check the casino's terms before clicking Bonus Buy if you're on a bonus.
| Casino | Bonus Buy allowed while welcome bonus active? |
|---|---|
| Vegasnova | No — Bonus Buy voids welcome bonus |
| Joe Fortune | No — disabled during bonus terms |
| GreatSlots | Sometimes (check current terms) |
| CasinoRocket | No — Bonus Buy disabled until wagering complete |
So save Bonus Buys for after your welcome wagering is complete.
Bonus Buy on the 1000 vs other variants
The 1000 variant has the best Bonus Buy value of the three Gates variants for ceiling-chasers:
| Variant | Bonus Buy cost | Max win | Cost ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gates of Olympus (2021) | 100× stake | 5,000× | 50:1 ceiling vs cost |
| Gates of Olympus 1000 (2024) | 100× stake | 15,000× | 150:1 |
| Gates of Olympus Super Scatter (2025) | 150× stake | 50,000× | 333:1 |
By raw ceiling-vs-cost ratio, Super Scatter is best — but it's also dramatically higher variance. The 1000 offers a balanced upgrade over the original at no extra cost: same 100× Bonus Buy price, 3× higher ceiling, only marginal variance increase.
Ante Bet — what it is
The Ante Bet toggle (top-left of the UI) lets you pay an extra 25% per spin to roughly double the natural Zeus scatter frequency.
| Mode | Stake at A$1.00 base | Bonus trigger frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Ante Bet OFF | A$1.00/spin | ~1 in 250 spins |
| Ante Bet ON | A$1.25/spin | ~1 in 125 spins |
The +25% cost is paid every spin, on every spin, for the duration of the toggle being on. Not a one-time fee.
Ante Bet — does the math actually work?
This is the question worth dwelling on. The +25% stake increase costs you extra real money every spin. But the doubled trigger frequency means you reach the bonus round (where most session value is) twice as often. Does the math come out to a wash?
Yes. RTP is identical between Ante Bet on and off (96.50% certified default). Pragmatic Play balanced the math so:
- More expensive per spin → balanced by faster bonus access.
- Less expensive per spin → balanced by slower bonus access.
Long-run loss-per-hour is the same regardless of toggle.
What changes is the session shape:
| Mode | Session feel |
|---|---|
| Ante Bet off | Longer dry stretches, deeper base-game engagement, occasional big-bonus payoff |
| Ante Bet on | More frequent bonus rounds, less base-game dwell, faster bankroll cycle |
Recreational AU players generally prefer Ante Bet ON because the bonus round is the most exciting part of the experience and getting there twice as often feels great. Tight-bankroll players sometimes prefer Ante Bet OFF because the cheaper per-spin cost makes a small deposit last longer.
When to use Ante Bet vs Bonus Buy vs neither
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| First session, learning the game | Demo mode, Ante Bet off |
| Recreational session, A$50-100 deposit | Ante Bet ON, no Bonus Buy |
| Bonus-chase session, A$500+ bankroll | Bonus Buy, A$1-5 stake |
| Welcome bonus active (wagering) | Ante Bet ON, never Bonus Buy (disqualifies bonus) |
| Quick "feel the game" Bonus session | Ante Bet ON, optional Bonus Buy at A$0.20 stake |
| High-roller session, max-win chase | Bonus Buy at high stake, A$5-25 |
| Demo testing variance | Either — pick one and stick with it |
Combining Ante Bet and Bonus Buy
These features are independent — you can have Ante Bet on and still Bonus Buy. But:
- Bonus Buy cost is based on your BASE stake, not Ante-Bet-inflated stake. At A$1.00 base + Ante Bet on, Bonus Buy costs A$100 (not A$125).
- Ante Bet has no effect on Bonus Buy results. A Bonus Buy round plays identically regardless of Ante Bet setting.
Useful combo for high-rollers: Ante Bet ON for the base-game time + Bonus Buy when in the mood for direct bonus action.
Common Bonus Buy and Ante Bet mistakes
- Bonus Buy at high stake on first try. A A$500 Bonus Buy stings if it returns A$50. Start small.
- Bonus Buying during welcome bonus wagering. Most casinos void the bonus. Read terms.
- Forgetting to toggle Ante Bet off when not wanted. It's easy to leave it on and burn 25% more bankroll than planned.
- Treating Bonus Buy as a "guaranteed win." Each Buy is its own variance bet. Plan to lose 1-2 in a row.
- Chasing losses with Bonus Buys. Worst pattern. Variance compounds badly.
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Quick FAQ
Is Bonus Buy the same price as on the original? Yes — 100× stake, identical to the original Gates of Olympus.
Does Bonus Buy give a better chance at 1,000× orbs? No — same RNG, same orb table. Bonus Buy just gives you more bonus rounds per session.
Will my casino's welcome bonus cover Bonus Buy? Usually no — Bonus Buys are typically excluded from welcome bonus play. Check casino terms.
Can I auto-Bonus-Buy? No — each Bonus Buy requires a manual click confirmation.
Does Ante Bet improve my chances of hitting the 15,000× ceiling? Slightly — more bonus rounds = more chances. RTP is unchanged.
Can I save my Ante Bet preference between sessions? Yes — most casinos remember the setting per game.
Should I Bonus Buy if I've already lost a few rounds? No — chasing losses with Bonus Buys is the fastest path to a busted bankroll.
About this analysis
Bonus Buy and Ante Bet behaviour verified across 80 Bonus Buy rounds and 140 base-game spins (with Ante Bet on and off) on the 1000 variant at all four featured AU casinos in April-May 2026.
Gambling responsibly. Bonus Buy makes losses faster and bigger. Set bankroll limits before clicking. AU support: gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop · 18+ only.
Further Reading
Related reading in this guide:
- Gates of Olympus 1000 Australia: The Full Pokie Review
- Best Australia Pokie Casinos to Play Gates of Olympus 1000
- Gates of Olympus 1000 Multipliers — 1000× Orbs Explained
- Gates of Olympus 1000 vs Original vs Super Scatter — Which to Play
- PayID & Banking for Gates of Olympus 1000 AU Players
- Gates of Olympus 1000 on Mobile