It’s more than a percentage, it’s important

“What is RTP?” is easily one of the most frequently asked questions about online slots and online casino games. And, yes, I’ve asked it, too.

Why? Because players – especially online casino players – want to understand how much money they can expect to get back when playing slots and other casino games. This is especially true of online casino games controlled by random number generator (RNG) software.

While I have briefly covered what RTP is previously on my blog, this post is fully dedicated to the topic. I’m covering the most notable points that matter to the average player – like me. These include:

• What is RTP
• How RTP works
• How to find a game’s RTP
• What games have the best RTP

I’m not going to cover complex math-related RTP stuff. I find that sort of thing boring to read and boring to write, and it has zero impact on what games I play or how I play them. If you’re seeking a more in-depth analysis that covers all the math, statistical averages, etc., etc., of RTP, there are plenty of other sites out there that can break it down for you at nerd level. 🤓😁

RTP – A Basic Breakdown

What is RTP

RTP stands for “Return to Player”.

RTP is the expected prize money that a slot or casino game will theoretically pay back (return) to players based on total wagers placed on the game over its lifetime.

In other words, RTP represents the expected return if the game was played indefinitely.

RTP is the opposite of the “house edge” but is also expressed as a percentage. The house edge is a percentage that represents the casino’s mathematical advantage over players the longer they play. RTP is a percentage that represents the theoretical return to players over the long term.

Another way to look at RTP is it’s the portion you paid to play a slot that’s given back to you as prize money.

For instance, Rich Wilde and the Tome of Insanity has an RTP of 96.20%. If you pay $100 for a spin, theoretically the return is just over $96.20 with the remaining $3.80 going to the casino.

Sounds, pretty good, right? Yeah, except if you’ve played online slots or online casino games before, you know that this isn’t how RTP works. You don’t get money back on every spin of the reels. What’s more, even if/when you do land a payout, it may be lower or higher than the game’s theoretical return to player percentage.

Why? It has to do with how RTP is calculated and other things that can affect it, like volatility, features, size of prizes, and jackpots.

How RTP works

Knowing how RTP works is about understanding how RTP is calculated. The calculation is a complex statistical analysis. This analysis considers all potential outcomes of a specific game. To ensure accuracy (and fairness), this analysis encompasses millions of game rounds.

Basically, RTP is calculated by dividing the total amount wagered on a game by the total amount won by players. The result – expressed as a percentage – represents the expected return to players over the long term.

So, like in my Riche Wilde and the Tome of Insanity (96.20% RTP) example, since RTP percentage is based on millions of spins over the long term, you’re not guaranteed a $96.20 return for every $100 you bet on the game. Sometimes (if you’re lucky) you’ll get another player’s $96.20, and other times players will get yours. RTP doesn’t guarantee individual winnings or losses in a single playing session. It’s why some players can win big and others can hit a losing streak.

In general, a high RTP slot – one that has 96% or higher – will payout more often than one with a lower RTP – 94% or less.  That said, slot volatility also affects a game’s return to player. For instance, a high RTP slot with a low volatility may result in more frequent payouts compared to a high volatility game, but the value of these payouts is generally lower.

RTPs may also change based on features like “Buy Free Spins”, which automatically triggers the game’s bonus feature. In cases such as these, slots may have multiple RTPs depending what feature is in play.

Why Understanding RTP matters

Understanding the basics of RTP matters because:

• It can help you determine your playing budget.
• It tells you the probability and expected return of the game you’re playing, helping you to understand its risks and rewards.
• You can make an informed decision on which game to play.

Additionally, online casinos control the size of the RTP percentage. This means that the same game at two separate casinos can have different RTPs. The lower the RTP, the higher the house edge. Knowing this, you have the advantage of comparing online casinos and choosing which one offers you the best RTP for the game(s) you like to play.

For instance, if I play Starburst at PlayOJO Ontario for real money, the RTP that applies to my Starburst game is 92.05%. However, when I play at Betty, the RTP is 96.09%.

Clearly, I should play Starburst at Betty and not OJO if I want a better return!

Why can RTPs differ from one casino to the next?

I looked into it and learned that a main reason why RTPs can differ or change is due to jurisdiction regulations and tax laws. The higher the tax laws, the higher a casino’s operating costs. A lower RTP means higher overall turnover for the casino.

How to Find a Game’s RTP

Ther are four main ways to find a casino game’s RTP.

1 – At an online casino – Many iGaming sites provide return to player casino game information without even needing to load the game. It’s not uncommon for casinos to list the RTP and a few other notable slot details, such as it’s features, the provider, and minimum/maximum bet amounts in a preview section about the game.

💡Mia’s Tip👩‍💻 – If you can’t easily find RTP info at the online casino where you play or want to play, contact support for a solution. If the site has reliable customer service, they should be able to quickly provide you with the information you need. If not, consider playing somewhere else.

2 – The game’s paytable or help screen – The easiest way to find online slot RTP (or any RTP for an online casino game for that matter), is to check the game’s paytable. The paytable can be accessed at any time. It provides you with all details and info about the game like how to play it, what all the symbols mean, available features, RTP, volatility, etc. If you don’t see RTP in the paytable, check the help option (often marked with a “?” icon).

💡Mia’s Tip👩‍💻 – If you look for the RTP in a game demo, be aware that this may not be the same return to payer percentage that applies when playing the game for real money. Always check RTPs when playing in real money mode.

3 – The software provider – Another good place to look is the official site of the software provider behind the game. Many game studios advertise their games and have independent pages for each, where you can learn more about the title and sometimes demo it. RTP is often listed among the information provided.

💡Mia’s Tip👩‍💻 – Just as in the case of a game demo, it’s a good idea to verify the RTP you see listed on a provider’s site. There’s a possibility it won’t be the same as the one that applies to the real money game you play at an online casino.

4 – An online casino review site – There are lots of online slots and online casino game review sites out there. These sites are a great place to get a look at a game’s main details, among which is the RTP.

💡Mia’s Tip👩‍💻 – Again, remember that the RTP a slot review site lists and the one that applies to the game you play may be different! Always check.

Games With the Highest RTP

When looking for online casino games with the highest RTP, consider the following:

Online slot games

• Online slot games
  • Any game with RTP of 90%+ is average/good
  • Anything 96% or higher is above average/excellent
  • The highest return to player slots are 98% and above/awesome

In Ontario, it’s common to find online slots in the 92% – 96%ish range.

• Online tablegames
  • Roulette – 94% – 97.3%
  • Craps – 98.5% – 99.5%
  • Blackjack – 99% – 99.5%

For table games, RTPs differ based on variants, as some have a higher house edge than others. For instance, the average return to player for American roulette is 94.74% and the average for European roulette is 97.3%. American Roulette has a lower RTP due to additional double zero green space, which gives it a higher house edge.

Ultimately, the higher the RTP, the greater the winning potential.  Games like blackjack, roulette and craps have higher RTPs compared to slots due to the odds.

Using slots and blackjack as a comparison example, while the outcome of a slot machine is based entirely on luck alone, in blackjack, typically there are three outcomes: a win, a loss, and a tie.  While no win is guaranteed in blackjack and cannot be predicted, the odds of winning for certain bets are better than others. The probability of winning a blackjack game is high (42.22%). That’s why helpful tools like a blackjack strategy chart can come in handy when playing this card game if you want to make the most of the best RTP.

RTP Quick FAQ

🎰Is there a minimum RTP?

No. Gaming machines only list a maximum RTP.

🎰What is RTP in slots?

It’s the expected prize money that a slot machine will theoretically return to players based on total wagers placed on the game over its lifetime. A slot’s RTP percentage is based on millions of spins over the long term. A win isn’t guaranteed every time. Theoretically speaking, the higher a slot machine’s RTP, the better your chances of getting a payout.

🎰What casino game has the best RTP?

Usually, it’s online blackjack, which has RTPs ranging from 99% to 99.5%. Although no win is guaranteed in blackjack, the odds of winning for certain bets are greater than others. Typically, the better your understanding of the game, the better your RTP.

🎰What slots have the best RTP?

Any slots with an RTP of 96% or higher are considered to have excellent RTP. Some of the best ranked highest return to player slots at Ontario online casinos include Butterfly Staxx by NetEnt (96.8%), Marching Legions by Relax Gaming (98.12%), and Cart 2 by Relax Gaming (98%).

🎰Do land-based casinos have RTP?

Yes. In Ontario, it’s known as the payback percentage and it’s regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The Payback percentage is no lower than 85%.

Until next time, good luck and have fun.

Mia 👩‍💻

*All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only.

**I’m not affiliated with anyone.