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What Is RTP (Return to Player)?
Every player who enjoys a little action at the casino, will almost certainly have asked themselves at some point: what is RTP?
It is an acronym that shows up a lot.
The RTP (Return to Player) is essentially the amount of money a casino game is designed to give back to players, quite literally, its return to player. It’s important to understand what it is and why it varies so much from game to game.
It’s given as a percentage. On slots, it’s framed to show players how much they can expect to have ‘returned’, as opposed to how much they will lose and the casino will win.
On most other casino games, the percentage is flipped to show the house edge; the Return to Casino.
A typical land-based casino slot has an average Return to Player of between 70% and 90%.
At online slots, the percentages are generally much higher; usually at least 94%. And with the best payout casinos, games like Ugga Bugga, up to as high as 99.07%.
On average, in the long term, a one-dollar bet on a slot with an RTP of 97%, can expect to return 97 cents to players. It’s that simple.
The RTP is how the casino makes its money; it skews the odds, marginally in its favor, to make a profit in the long run.
Of course, everyone knows that slots are often a case of famine and feast. You’ll spin away for ages and win nothing. Then, you’ll hit a jackpot and be back where you started.
More likely, you’ll have about 97% of your initial stake back. That’s how RTP works.
Fast Facts for Players
- RTP is your casino compass – the higher the percentage, the better your long-term odds.
- Slots vary wildly, with land-based machines dipping as low as 70%, while top online slots reach 99%.
- Table games like Blackjack and Baccarat offer the best RTP, while American Roulette takes a bigger cut.
- Volatility matters – high volatility means big wins or losses, while low volatility keeps things steady.
- The house always wins in the long run, so play smart and enjoy the ride!
Casino RTP
If you want to get the maximum bang for your buck at an online casino, you need to pay close attention to RTP. There are scores of different games to choose from and they all have varying RTPs.
Here is a list of the most popular casino games with their respective RTPs.
Slots
- Classic slots: RTP can range from 85% to 97%.
- Video slots: RTP typically ranges from 92% to 98%.
- Progressive slots: RTP is generally between 85% and 95%.
Table Games
Slot Game RTP
Slots are where RTP really comes into play. If you love playing online slots or taking a spin in a land-based casino, it makes sense to play the games with the highest RTP.
Image: Tristan Surtel/Wikimedia Commons
We’ve collated data and information from websites specializing in slots RTP.
There are some minor variations in the data, but it’s clear which games are the favorites. The slots listed below are the slots with the lowest online casino RTP.
| # | Slot | Studio | RTP |
| 1 | Ugga Bugga | Playtech | 99.07% |
| 2 | Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99% |
| 3 | Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 99% |
| 4 | 1429 Uncharted Seas | Thunderkick | 98.6% |
| 5 | Marching Legions | Relax Gaming | 98.12% |
| 6 | Madame Mystique Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 98.03% |
| 7 | Blood Suckers | Red Tiger | 98% |
| 8 | Money Cart | Relax Gaming | 98% |
| 9 | Jokerizer | Yggdrasil Gaming | 98% |
| 10 | Starmania | Light & Wonder | 97.87% |
Online vs. Offline
Nearly all the slots listed above, and their respective RTPs, are online only games. It’s harder to get the precise data on the RTP of all land-based casino games.
However, take a look at the Nevada Gaming Control Board state-wide monthly revenue report, for all non-restricted locations (June 2024).
Here the average win percent, for the past twelve months, based on 454 licensees and more than 126,000 slots, comes in at 7.16%. That’s an overall average RTP of 92.84%. Not bad.
The number is lower than its average online equivalent. But online casinos have fewer staff, less overhead, and much higher revenue volumes.
RTP – The Math
How is RTP calculated? Fortunately, the UK Gambling Commission goes into great detail about RTP and how it is formulated.
It’s a regulatory requirement that all slots clearly publish their RTP. Remote operators are required to monitor the performance of all the games they offer; this ensures they are operating fairly, both as designed and advertised.
To calculate the RTP, you need to divide the win amount by the turnover amount.
For example:
If a slot has a monthly turnover of $1,500,000 and has paid out $1,400,000 in winnings, you divide 1,400,000 by 1,500,000 to get 0.93: an RTP of 93%. It’s that simple.
Another issue to consider is volatility. If you play the slot only a few times, the actual RTP might be higher or lower than the theoretical RTP. With every additional spin, the two numbers should get closer; the theoretical RTP and the actual RTP will eventually match.
On average, RTP is measured between 10,000 and 100,000 spins for a compensated machine; more times, for a random machine.
A compensated machine is random but varies the chance of winning a prize depending on previous results. If the machine is operating below its target RTP percentage, it may become more generous. The amount and frequency of wins is still determined by random chance.
Slot Game Variance and Volatility
The final elements in the RTP equation are variance and volatility. Neither has any influence on the RTP of a slot, but they can affect the overall gameplay and are good to be aware of if you’re just learning how to play slots.
Variance simply refers to the deviation in pay-outs that a player will see over time: a low $1 win and then a high $100 win are indicators that the slot has high variance. It’s calculated over a longer period of time.
Volatility relates to how often a player wins in a short time frame. A high volatility slot, with low variance, would pay out low wins more frequently. Conversely, a low volatility slot with high variance would not pay out as often but, when it does, the wins would be higher.
In the long run, the two merge together. Whatever the variance or volatility, after thousands of spins, you simply divide the win amount by the turnover to get the RTP.
RTP DIY
Now you know the meaning, the math, and the mechanics, you can hit the slots with a little bit more wisdom on your side.
Remember:
- Pick a slot with a high RTP to maximize your chances of winning
- Don’t forget that every slot is eventually going to come out on top
- Only gamble what you can afford to lose
- Treat your time on the slots as entertainment at a cost
- Try to be lucky
The Bottom Line
RTP is the percentage a casino game pays back over time. It typically ranges from 85%-95% for land-based slots to over 99% in the best online games. The remaining percentage represents the casino’s profit.
High-RTP games like blackjack (up to 99.65%) and video poker (up to 100%+ with perfect play) offer better odds, while slots vary widely. Though RTP is calculated over thousands of spins, it helps players make informed betting choices.
FAQs
What is RTP in casino?
What is the best RTP at casinos?
What slot has 99% RTP?
What does 95% RTP mean?
References
- Feature Article – How can gaming machines meet their % RTP if they are random? (UK Gambling Commission)
- Gaming Revenue Report (Nevada Gaming Control Board)
