Playing games at online casinos should be viewed as a fun pastime, one that you’ll usually spend some money taking part in. However, the enjoyment can quickly fade if you feel like you’re never winning anything at all.
This is where understanding RTP becomes useful; it gives you an idea of how generous a game is likely to be over time.
What Does RTP Mean?
RTP stands for Return To Player. Put simply, it’s the percentage of all wagered money that a game is programmed to pay back to players over a long period of time. All trustworthy, UKGC-licensed casinos are required to display this information so players can make informed choices about which games to play.
So, for example, if a slot game has an RTP of 96%, that means for every £100 wagered across all players over a significant period, the game will pay out £96 and keep £4. That 4% is known as the house edge, it’s how casinos make their money.
However, and this is really important, RTP is a theoretical figure calculated over millions of spins. It doesn’t mean you’ll get 96p back from every pound you spend in a single session. In the short term, anything can happen — you might lose your entire balance quickly, or you could land a massive win that far exceeds the RTP. The figure only becomes accurate over a very large sample size.
How Is RTP Calculated?
RTP is determined by the game developer and is built into the software using a Random Number Generator (RNG). Independent testing agencies audit these games to confirm that the stated RTP is accurate and that the outcomes are genuinely random.
The calculation takes into account all possible outcomes in the game, every combination of symbols, every bonus feature, every possible win and loss. It then works out what percentage of total wagers will be returned as winnings over millions of game rounds.
It’s also worth knowing that some games have variable RTPs. This means the RTP can change depending on certain settings or how the game is configured by the casino.
If a game has multiple RTP options, reputable operators will typically use the higher setting, but you can usually find the specific RTP in the game’s help or information section.
What’s A Good RTP?
Most online slots offer RTPs somewhere between 94% and 97%, with 96% being a pretty common figure. Anything above 96% is generally considered above average, while games below 94% are on the lower end.
Online casino games tend to have much better RTPs than their land-based counterparts. Physical slot machines in pubs and casinos often have RTPs as low as 70-80%, which means the house edge is significantly higher. This is one of the genuine advantages of playing online: your money tends to go further.
Table games usually have even better RTPs than slots. Blackjack, for instance, can have an RTP above 99% if you play with an optimal strategy, while roulette typically sits around 97% for European versions.
RTP vs Volatility – What’s The Difference?
RTP and volatility are two different things, though they’re often confused. While RTP tells you how much of your money you can expect to get back over time, volatility (sometimes called variance) tells you how that money is likely to be returned.
A high-volatility slot will pay out less frequently, but the wins tend to be larger when they do come. A low-volatility slot pays out more often, but in smaller amounts. Two slots could have exactly the same RTP but feel completely different to play because of their volatility levels.
Understanding both figures helps you pick games that suit your playing style and budget. If you’ve got a smaller bankroll and want to play for longer, a low-volatility slot with a decent RTP is probably a better fit. If you’re happy to ride out dry spells for the chance of a big payout, higher-volatility games might appeal to you more.
Where To Find RTP Information
Every reputable online gambling platform will display RTP information for its games. You can usually find it by clicking the information or help button within the game itself. Some casinos also list RTPs on their website in a dedicated section.
Game developers also publish RTP figures on their own websites, so if you can’t find the information at the casino, a quick search for the game name followed by “RTP” should give you the answer.
Should RTP Affect Which Games You Play?
RTP is a handy piece of information to have, but it shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing a game. Since it’s calculated over millions of spins, it has very little bearing on what will happen during your individual session. You could play a 98% RTP slot and lose everything, or play a 92% RTP slot and walk away with a huge win.
That said, if all else is equal and you’re choosing between two similar games, picking the one with the higher RTP does give you marginally better odds over the long run. Think of it as one piece of the puzzle rather than the whole picture.
For more guidance on choosing the right games, check out our online guides.
RTP FAQ
What does RTP mean in online casinos?
RTP stands for Return to Player. It shows the percentage of wagered money a game is expected to pay back to players over time.
Is a higher RTP better?
Generally, yes. A higher RTP means the game is designed to return more money to players over the long run, although short-term results can vary.
Can RTP guarantee winnings?
No. RTP is calculated over millions of spins, so it doesn’t predict what will happen in a single session. You can still win big or lose quickly regardless of the percentage.