If you've played at online casinos, you'll almost certainly have seen the term RTP thrown around. So, what does RTP mean in the slots and online casino industry? We're here to break down exactly what this metric is all about.
The quick answer is that it measures a game's return rate. Savvy players use it to decide which games are more likely to pay out in the long run and support their strategy. But it's not quite so simple, as other factors affect it, too. If you want to learn how to properly master Return to Player (RTP), keep reading.
Background: why it’s important to understand RTP
It goes without saying that you can’t predict the outcome of your next spin when playing slots at an online casino. However, there are certain things you can control, like which titles you choose to play. When you’re evaluating which slots are worth your time, RTP is one of the most important metrics. It helps you pick games that are more player-friendly and offer higher long-term returns, although it’s important to note that RTP is an average and applies to the game itself, rather than your spins. Nothing is guaranteed.
So, what does RTP mean in slots?
RTP means Return to Player, which is expressed as a percentage. It literally means how much is returned to you, the player, compared to how much you wager. Before we break down the math, here’s a quick summary of the important concepts.
| Metric |
Details |
| RTP (Return to Player) |
Written as percentage |
| Maximum RTP |
100% |
| Minimum RTP |
Typically ~90% |
| Recommended RTP |
96-100% |
| Slot types |
Video slots, online slots, casino slots |
| Compatible technology |
RNG (Random Number Generation) |
| Fixed |
Fixed, though bonus rounds may have a boosted RTP |
| Configurable per casino |
Yes, some titles have lower/higher RTP versions available |
How RTP works in online slots (with examples)
Since a slot’s Return to Player (RTP) is measured as a percentage, it’s easy for us to convert it to dollars wagered and imagine it on a small scale. While RTP is based on billions of spins, looking at it this way should help you understand the concept.
So, If a game has a 95% RTP, it pays out $95 for every $100 wagered. If a game has a 96% RTP, it pays out $96 for every $100 paid into it, and so on, until you reach 100% RTP.
A game can’t have an RTP higher than 100%, because that would mean it pays out more than is being paid in. The casino would go bust pretty quickly!
Hopefully, now it makes sense why the other side of Return to Player (RTP) is house edge, You may also see this called expected loss. The house edge is how a casino makes money. For example, a 98% RTP means $98 is returned to players, and the house keeps $2 as profit.
The difference between RTP, volatility, and hit frequency in slots
Many players mistakenly think that RTP is the #1 metric and the only one you should worry about when choosing which slots to play. In reality, there are many other factors at play, including volatility and hit frequency, which determine how often and how much a game pays out.
A highly volatile game will give you fewer but larger wins, while low volatility slots tend to pay out smaller amounts more often. Hit frequency does what it says on the tin: the higher it is, the more often you’ll land winning symbols, though it’s unrelated to the payout size. On the other end of the scale, RTP concerns itself with the average amount paid out overall, and doesn’t tell you anything about hit frequency.
Pros and cons of understanding RTP before playing slots online
Look, learning about RTP for the first time can get your head in a spin. But we mean it when we say it’s worth it. It’s unwise to play slots without at least a basic understanding of how it works.
Pros and Cons
- Manage your bankroll more efficiently
- Helps you decide which slots to play
- You know the house edge from
- Lets you calculate true net RTP
- The math can be a bit confusing
What is net RTP, and how do you calculate it?
If you’ve just got your head around standard game RTP, there’s another metric you need to understand. This is net RTP. It’s closely related, and even more important than normal RTP. Brace yourself, because more math is incoming!
To understand net RTP, you need to know about rakeback. Sometimes called cashback, this common reward gives you a percentage of the house edge back as a bonus. This effectively boosts your RTP, giving you a higher net RTP. It will make more sense after we look at this example.
Let’s say you play an
online slot game
with a 96% RTP, which means the house edge is 4%. The expected return is $96 per $100 wagered, with expected losses at $4*.
The casino gives you 2% cashback, which on $4 is $0.20.
In percentage terms, 2% of the 4% house edge is 0.20%.
This means your net RTP for that game is actually 96.20%.
*Again, it’s important to note that this is the game’s lifetime average, not your player average.
How to find slots games with the highest RTPs
While there’s no federal law that requires online casinos to publish individual game RTPs, most of them choose to. You’ll usually see RTP displayed underneath the game window if you follow these steps.
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Check our banners to find the best site + deal.
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Click to claim the offer.
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Follow the instructions to create your account.
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Verify your email address.
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Complete any KYC requirements.
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Deposit funds using your preferred method.
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Browse the slot games on offer.
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Select a title to view its RTP.
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Compare the RTPs of the games you like.
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Pick the highest one and start spinning!
If the RTP isn’t visible, you can find the RTP on the third-party software developer’s website instead (like NetEnt, Play’n’GO, Pragmatic Play, and so on).
Conclusion: RTP is a metric every player should understand
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage isn’t the be all and end all when you’re deciding which slots to play online. However, it’s one of, if not the most important and commonly discussed metrics. While it won’t give you a guaranteed return for your sessions, it does give a good indication of a slot’s general payout behaviour. Understanding it puts you in a better, more informed position.
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FAQs about RTP (Return to Player) percentage at online casinos
🎰 What does RTP mean in slots and other online games?
RTP is an acronym that stands for Return to Player, and it’s written as a percentage. It tells you how much a game pays out for every $100 that’s wagered, on average. So, a 97% RTP means a game returns $97 to players for every $100 that’s paid into it. That $3 is known as the house edge, and it’s how online casinos make money. The RTP is calculated based on the lifetime of a game, over billions of spins, so it’s not an accurate predictor of how much you, individually, can expect to receive if you bet $100.
🔍 How do you know the RTP of an online slot is accurate?
There is an element of trust, which is why it’s important to play at verified, tested, and well-established brands. Many online slots are independently audited by organizations like eCOGRA, BMM Testlabs, and Gaming Labs International (GLI), which gives you an extra seal of reassurance, so look for these logos where possible. This is especially true for the more mainstream providers like Pragmatic Play.
📈 Is a high or a low RTP better for slots?
A high RTP is almost always the better choice, but it also comes down to personal preference! For instance, if there’s a game with a slightly lower RTP but a massive jackpot potential, or a gameplay style you particularly enjoy. At the end of the day, you’re at an online casino to have fun, so choose the games that bring you the most entertainment value and are compatible with your bankroll strategy.
🔢 What’s the minimum RTP you should look for in online slots?
There’s no hard and fast rule, but generally speaking, anything over an RTP of 96% is considered decent. Anything under 90% is very low, and rare to even find. Most reputable casinos offer RTPs in the mid 90s upwards. Recently, some brands are even bringing out exclusive 100% RTP titles. Yes, you read that right!
📊 Where can you see an online slot’s RTP?
Most online casinos make it easy for you to see a particular game’s RTP by displaying it directly under the game window. In some cases, you might need to scroll down the page a little further to find it in the description. Some sites even let you sort the games according to RTP! If the RTP of a particular title isn’t displayed on the casino site, a quick internet search usually does the trick. Look for the software developer’s official site and check it there. Remember, some games have several RTP versions available.
