When exploring online slots, you will often come across a term called RTP. However, if you are unfamiliar with the term, you might wonder what RTP means and why it matters to players.
RTP stands for Return to Player, this refers to the percentage of total money wagered on a slot that is programmed to be paid back over time. It is essential to understand that you will not receive this percentage back each time you play; however, this is what all gamers combined would receive back on average throughout the game's lifetime.
For example, if a slot has an RTP of 96%, that means for every £100 staked across all players, the game is designed to use £96 as prize funds for play. The percentages, though, represent a long-term average and never guarantee a specific return during play.
How RTP is calculated and why it's never 100%
The developer of the slots calculates the RTP through statistical modelling and extensive simulations. They calculate the odds of all possible combinations, features and wins in play, going on to express the average return as a percentage.
RTP is always set below 100%, because casinos need to make a profit. The difference between 100% and the RTP of a slot is known as the house edge. If a slot has an average return to player of 95%, the other 5% is the house edge. This margin ensures that a game can sustain profitability in the long term.
RTP vs. volatility: Two sides of the slot coin
To truly understand what RTP means and its impact on these games, it is essential to understand the main difference between RTP and volatility.
Understanding RTP
RTP tells you how much a game is programmed to return to users over time of the funds spent on play. The return to player is calculated as the percentage of money returned to players over the entire period a game is active.
Understanding volatility
Volatility, on the other hand, instead measures how frequently and how large average payouts are. Sometimes referred to as variance, two slots with the same RTP can feel very different from one another depending on their volatility. For example:
- Low volatility slots may feature more frequent but smaller wins on average.
- Higher volatility slots may have less frequent wins on average but can be of higher value.
Why a higher RTP matters to players
A higher RTP means that the game is programmed to profit less from play, meaning more funds are available to be triggered by gamers. While RTP doesn't affect gameplay in the short term, over time, you might be able to see the difference in returns between high and low RTP games.
For example, over the course of 10,000 spins, a 93% RTP slot could return £9,300 from £10,000 wagered on average. On the other hand, a 97% RTP slot would return £9,700 on average, a projected £400 difference. It is important to remember that these games feature randomisation mechanics and nothing is guaranteed.
How to find a slot's RTP
Finding a slot’s RTP is often easy, as most games display their return to player within their interfaces. This applies not only to slots, but also to online scratch cards and other casino game genres, which each have their own RTP. If you're unsure how to find it, this can be done as follows:
- In-game info section: By accessing a game’s menu, look for the paytable and its help section, which will likely display the RTP percentage.
- Developer websites: Accessing a producer's website directly is another way of finding the RTP, as studios often publish these figures on their pages.
- Casino information: Some online casinos will display RTPs on the specific game pages before loading into a title.
- Slot review sites: Reliable review platforms often list RTP percentages, as well as volatility, for each game they cover.
Does RTP change? Understanding variable RTPs
Double-checking the RTP is essential, as many developers have introduced variable RTPs in recent years. Essentially, this means the same game can have multiple versions, with the RTPs being able to vary widely from one another.
This allows casinos to choose the RTP they want to offer for a particular game. For example, a popular game may have 3 RTP settings for iGaming platforms to choose from. These could be set at 90%, 94% or 98%. One casino might use the higher option, whilst another might select the lower one instead. As a result, verifying the actual RTP of a game at the casino you are playing is key, especially if choosing a title with variable settings.
Making informed choices: Using RTP to pick your slots
RTP is not the only factor to consider when choosing games. There are a couple of other things to balance RTP alongside, with many of these coming down to personal preferences.
Let's say you want longer playtime and long-term value; low to medium volatility slots could meet this criterion. For higher-value returns, a pairing of high RTP and high volatility could be more preferential. However, with this coupling, users must remember that there could be long periods without any return. Regardless of all of this, picking games with engaging themes, creative gameplay designs and innovative bonuses should also be considered alongside RTP.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher RTP always better?
A higher RTP means that, over a very long period of play, the game is designed to pay back a larger percentage of wagered money to players.
If a slot has 96% RTP, does that mean I'll get back 96% of my money every time I play?
No. RTP is a theoretical average calculated over millions of spins. It's a long-term statistical measure, not a guarantee for each session.
How is RTP different from volatility?
RTP tells you how much a slot is programmed to pay back over time. Volatility (or variance) tells you how those payouts occur – whether they are frequent and small (low volatility) or infrequent but large (high volatility). Both are important for understanding a slot's payout behaviour.
Where can I find the RTP for a slot game?
Most reputable slot games will display their RTP in the game's information or paytable section. You can also often find this information on the game developer's website or on trusted slot review sites.
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and may mention unavailable features or products. For current details, please visit our website or contact customer support.