RTP Explained: 7 Essential Facts Every Player Needs
Return to player (RTP) is the single most useful number in online gambling. This guide explains exactly what it means, how it works, and how to use it when you pick a game.
7 key topics explained
6 minute read
For Australian players
1 What Is RTP?
RTP stands for Return to Player. The RTP percentage tells you how much of the total money wagered on a particular game will be paid back to players. For example, a slot game with a 96% RTP will pay out $96 for every $100 wagered by players on the slot over millions of spins.
The remaining percentage - 4% in the above example - is the percentage of all money wagered that goes to the casino. This is referred to as the house edge. RTP + house edge = 100%.
Simple example: Consider a slot game with a 96% RTP. Players place a combined total of $10,000,000 in bets over 1 million spins. The slot pays out $9,600,000 to winners over that time period. The casino received $400,000 from slot play. The results for any given player will vary wildly from these statistics, but the average of all players will match these figures after millions of spins.
2 How RTP Works in Practice
The RTP percentage is calculated over a theoretical infinite number of spins. This figure allows for the random nature of slot game spins to even out over time. The game developers will simulate millions of spins to calculate the RTP of a slot game before it is released for public play.
RTP is long-run math, not a session guarantee
In 100 spins, any result is possible. You could double your money over 100 spins. You could also lose all of your money over a hundred spins. Each of these outcomes is valid and does not mathematically conflict with the percentage of money that the slot pays back to players - though the RTP figure becomes more meaningful and accurate over longer gaming sessions.
It is possible for slot machines to pay out winning amounts to players, yet the casinos still profit from the games due to the mathematical calculation of the RTP of each slot. Due to casinos running millions of slots each day, the figures work in the casinos' favour despite the slots paying out winning amounts to players.
Each spin is independent
Each spin on online slot games is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG has no memory of the spins that have just taken place. A player can lose several spins in a row, yet the chances of winning on the next spin are just as unlikely as they are on any other spin.
This is one of the most common misconceptions of how slot machines work. A player may believe that a slot machine that has recently paid out winning amounts is "due" for a losing spin. This is not true - slot machines do not work on concepts of "due" for winning or losing spins.
Cashing out does not change your RTP. The RTP of a slot game is not related to how much money a player chooses to cash out. Whether or not a player chooses to cash out their winnings, the RTP of each spin on a slot game remains the same. However, any winnings that are re-wagered will be subject to the house edge - which is why bankroll management is important for slot players.
3 RTP Ranges: What the Numbers Mean
Not all return to player percentages for online casinos are created equal. The percentages can range considerably within the online gaming world. Here are some of the most popular game types and the ranges of their RTP.
Table games vs slots
Table games tend to offer higher RTPs than slot games. For example, European roulette pays out 97.3% of all money wagered. Blackjack with basic strategy pays out 99% of all money wagered. Baccarat pays out 98.76% for betting on the player, and 98.94% for betting on the banker.
Online slots pay out between 88% and 99% of all money wagered on those games. The average RTP for online slot games across casinos is around 96%.
RTP Ranges at a Glance
| RTP Range | Rating | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 99% and above | Excellent | Rare - mostly blackjack with optimal play. The casino edge is under 1%. |
| 97% - 98.9% | High | Strong RTP. French roulette (98.65%), baccarat banker bet (98.94%), and several slots reach this range. |
| 95% - 96.9% | Average | The most common range for online slots. A 96% slot is not bad - it is the industry standard. |
| 90% - 94.9% | Below average | You lose more per dollar wagered. Many land-based slot machines and progressive jackpot slots fall here. |
| Below 90% | Poor | Avoid for regular play. Some progressive jackpot slots (e.g. Mega Moolah at 88.12%) sit here because a large portion of the RTP funds the jackpot prize pool. |
4 RTP vs House Edge
RTP and the house edge refer to the same mathematical concept with regards to slot games. If a slot machine has a 96% RTP, its house edge is 4%. The two percentages will always add up to 100%.
Casinos often use the figure of RTP when marketing their games to players. The percentage signifies a beneficial outcome for players - the higher the RTP, the better the game is for players. However, the house edge is often used by casino regulators and mathematicians to indicate the percentage of the casino's profits from these games.
Quick conversion: The house edge for any slot game is calculated as 100% minus the game's RTP. A slot machine with a 97.3% RTP will have a house edge of 2.7%. A game with a 94% RTP has a house edge of 6%.
If you place $2,000 in bets on a 94% RTP game over the span of an evening's play, you should expect to lose around $120. However, if you place the same $2,000 in bets on a slot game with a 97% RTP, you will only lose $60 over that same period. A 3% difference in RTP can cut your expected loss in half.
5 RTP vs Volatility
RTP tells a player how much a slot game will pay back to players over millions of spins. Volatility determines the manner in which the slot game will pay that RTP back to players - whether in small wins or large wins that are rare.
Your balance moves steadily. Good for long sessions on a limited budget. Wins come often but rarely at big multiples.
A mix of regular wins and occasional bigger payouts. Most popular slots sit in this middle range.
Long losing runs are normal. When wins hit, they can be large. Requires a bigger bankroll to ride out the dry spells.
How RTP and volatility interact
A game with high RTP and high volatility can quickly deplete the money of a player with a small bankroll - because the wins are infrequent. A game with a low RTP and low volatility will make a player play longer at the slot machine - but at a higher cost over time.
For most players, a slot game with a high RTP yet with low to medium volatility is the best slot machine experience. Such games offer both good value for money (high RTP) yet do not quickly deplete a player's bankroll (low volatility).
Note on progressive slots: The portion of the RTP that goes into funding a progressive jackpot is paid to only the player that wins the jackpot. For example, instead of paying out 97% of all money wagered, the slot may pay 94% to players with winning amounts, and use the remaining 3% to fund a jackpot prize pool. For everyday play, the effective RTP is lower than the headline figure suggests.
6 How RTP Is Set and Verified
The RTP is set by game developers while the slot game is being developed. The developers will use mathematical models to program the slot game to pay out an expected percentage of the money wagered by players. That percentage is tested through simulations of millions of spins prior to the game being released.
Independent testing labs
Prior to being made available for public play at licensed online casinos, slot games are reviewed by accredited testing laboratories. These testing houses verify that the game developers have correctly programmed the games to have the indicated RTP. This step is mandated at online casinos in most regions of the world.
These testing houses verify that the games use a Random Number Generator that pays out the percentages that are published for each game. The RTP of each game is published in a certification report that the regulators for online casinos can access.
Can RTP change?
Once published, the RTP for a game cannot be changed. However, game developers may publish different versions of the same games to online casinos. For instance, the same slot game may have a 94% RTP at one casino, but a 96% RTP at another online casino.
Therefore, the RTP that is published within the slot game itself is the most reliable figure. The figures that are published on online casino listing pages may not be accurate to the actual RTP of the game that is being offered for play.
Our best online casinos for Australian players lists only sites that use certified RNG software with independently verified game RTPs.
Minimum RTP requirements by region
The regulators of online casinos set the minimum RTP percentages for the games that are permitted to be played at the licensed casinos in their regions. For example, Crown Perth in Western Australia sets a minimum RTP of 90% for all games played at its facilities. In Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority sets a minimum of 85% for all games made available to players at its licensed facilities. Some countries have increased their minimum RTP percentages in recent years. Always review the rules of online and land-based casinos in your region.
7 How to Find the RTP of a Game
The RTP of any licensed online slot game must be accessible to you as the player. Here are 3 ways to find the RTP for any online slot game.
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Check inside the game itself
When you play any online slot game, look for the question mark, the "i" symbol, "Help", "Rules", or a settings cog icon. The RTP percentage is published within the rules for the game. This is the most accurate figure for the RTP of the game you are playing.
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Visit the game provider's website
Studios such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Play'n GO publish the RTP percentage of each of the slot games within their game portfolios. A simple search of the name of the slot game on the company's official website will reveal the RTP of that game.
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Check the casino game page
The licensed online casinos will publish the RTP percentage of each slot game within their game portfolios. However, the RTP that is listed for the game may only be the default RTP for that game - the online casino may feature other versions of that game with a different RTP - so be aware of this difference.
Provider-specific paths to the RTP screen
- NetEnt: Click the question mark, then scroll to "Return to Player".
- Pragmatic Play: Click the "i" symbol, then scroll through the game rules.
- Play'n GO: Open the game menu or paytable and look for the info section.
- Microgaming: Click Help, wait for the pop-up, then select "Return to Player".
- Evolution (live games): Click the question mark and select "Return to Player".
Live dealer games have different RTP characteristics to RNG slots. Our live casino vs RNG guide covers how the two formats compare on return rates and game experience.
Remember: The same slot game will not necessarily have the same RTP at every online casino. Do not assume that the RTP percentage for a slot game will be the same at every online casino - always check the RTP for the game that you are about to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 96% RTP mean?
A 96% RTP means that the slot game is programmed to pay out $96 for every $100 that is wagered by players over millions of spins. The remaining $4 is the house edge of the casino. This figure does not refer to the amount of money that will be won by any player in any given session of play.
What is a good RTP for slots?
Any slot game with a RTP of 96% or higher is considered to have a good RTP percentage. A RTP of 97% or higher is considered to be excellent value for players. Finally, any slot machine with a RTP lower than 94% should be approached with caution - unless the intention is to play for the progressive jackpot prizes of those slots.
Is RTP the same as winning odds?
No. The RTP of a slot game is not a figure that indicates the outcome of the games that any given player will experience. While the long-term average of all players will match the RTP percentage, individual players may win or lose vast amounts of money in any given gaming session.
Does RTP change during a session?
No. The RTP of a slot game cannot change. Regardless of the outcome of any player's sessions at the slot machine, the RTP is embedded in the software of the game. A player cannot win simply after losing many slots - and vice versa.
Do all casinos use the same RTP for a game?
Not always. Game developers may publish different versions of the same game to online casinos. For example, the 94% version of the game might be offered at one online casino, while the 96% version is offered at another. Such practices are legal at the majority of online casinos in the world. However, the RTP that is featured within the game is the figure that matters - check it before you play at the slot machine.
How is RTP different from volatility?
RTP tells players how much a game will pay back to players. Volatility tells players how the game pays back that RTP - how often it pays out, what the size of the wins are, and how long the winning sessions may last.
Can RTP help me win more?
By choosing games that pay out a higher RTP, a player will mathematically lose less money. A player that wagers $1,000 on a slot game with a 94% RTP will lose $60. However, the same player that wagers $1,000 on a game with a 97% RTP will only lose $30. RTP does not indicate whether a player will win or lose money in any given session - but it does ensure that they will lose less money over time.
How does RTP apply to progressive jackpot slots?
Any slot game that features a jackpot pays a portion of the RTP to that jackpot prize pool. The portion is paid to only the slot player that wins that jackpot. The portion is included in the RTP percentage of the game. For example, the jackpot slot game Mega Moolah pays out an RTP of 88.12% - its portion of the RTP goes to funding the jackpot prize pool.
Responsible Gambling
Understanding RTP is useful, but no knowledge of game math changes the fact that gambling always carries risk. The house edge means that over enough time, all games cost money to play. Set a budget before you start and treat it as the price of entertainment - not as an investment.
If gambling is causing stress, financial pressure, or conflict in your relationships, help is available. Free, confidential support services can assist you in setting limits or taking a break.