What Does Return to Player Mean? RTP Explained
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When playing casino games, most titles will include a Return to Player (RTP) value as a percentage. While it might be easy to assume that a 96% slot will return 96% of your total bets, this is far from the reality.
Many factors, including personal RTP, volatility, and RNG can impact your gameplay; meaning a 96% slot could return more or less based on how your session pans out.
What Is RTP?
The meaning of RTP is the share of all money wagered on a game that it’s expected to pay back to players on average, over a very large number of rounds rather than a single session. The provider sets this through the game’s maths, and an independent testing lab checks it, often by simulating millions of spins, before the RTP is shown to players.
When a game is created, the software provider sets the theoretical RTP value. Many titles are released in several RTP versions, and which versions a casino can offer may depend on its jurisdiction. Once confirmed, casino sites choose the RTP version they have live on site.
In short, theoretical RTP is the value assigned to the game by the provider on its creation. The RTP players see on site should be the figure for the version that casino runs, as certified by a testing lab.
How Return To Player Is Calculated
RTP in gambling is calculated across millions of simulated spins with the average percentage of winnings returned dictating the theoretical RTP value. Once a game has been independently tested, its RTP is shown as a percentage, for example 96%. This is the average share of all money wagered that the game pays back over a very large number of rounds.
The remaining amount is allocated as the House Edge for the game, indicating the average amount the casino receives of your total bets within a session.
Is RTP Guaranteed?
No, RTP does not equal guaranteed results. RTP values are a theoretical average across millions of spins, not a prediction of what you’ll get back in one session. Your personal RTP can be higher or lower based on the results of your session.
Remember that RTP is set by the game’s maths, while the RNG (Random Number Generator) decides the result of every spin.
How RTP And Volatility Work Together
As well as RTP, Volatility can play a factor in the results of your game session. Volatility is indicated as a value from Low-High and indicates the chance of each individual spin resulting in a win and the average payouts you can expect.
For example, Low Volatility slots can trigger winning spins more frequently but the average payout amount is generally lower. High Volatility slots award higher payouts per win, but with a lower frequency of winning spins.
RTP and Random Number Generators (RNG)
RNG is another factor that plays an impact in the results of your casino gameplay. RNG, or random chance, is the maths model that dictates the results of any given spin. Legitimate casino games will use RNG technology to ensure that the results of every round are random, so no spin is affected by the ones before it.
When playing any casino game, check that it has been independently RNG tested to ensure that you are playing legitimate casino titles.
What Does 96% RTP Mean in Practice
In practice, a 96% RTP slot is broken down with the following formula:
Total paid out value ÷ total wagered amount × 100.
Essentially, for every €100 wagered on a slot with a 96% RTP, the game pays back €96 on average over a very large number of rounds. In one session you could win more or lose your whole stake. The remaining €4 is the House Edge: on average, the casino expects to keep €4 of every €100 wagered over time.
€96 ÷ €100 × 100 = 96% (RTP value)
When testing labs check an online slot, this principle is applied across millions of spins with the average return calculated to create the theoretical RTP percentage. Long sessions are required when testing as shorter sessions can have a much higher variance of wins/losses based on personal RTP.
Table games work slightly differently. The RTP can depend on the bet you choose, and in games like blackjack, the published RTP usually assumes perfect basic strategy, so playing differently lowers your return. Strategy can’t remove the house edge or guarantee a win.
What RTP Means for Your Time and Budget
While theoretical, RTP values can be used to help indicate the expected time and budget of an individual session. For example:
If the total budget is €500 playing with €1 on a 96% slot at an average of 500 spins per hour, then the average cost is around €20 per hour. This is based on the remaining 4% House Edge applied from the RTP value.
If we compare this with a lower RTP slot, higher RTP slots cost less on average over time, so the same budget usually lasts longer. Playing on a 90% slot, for instance, increases this theoretical cost to €50 per hour.
Remember that additional factors can also affect your session time and impact your budget including:
- Stake size - Your stake size can speed up or slow down your session time as higher stakes can make sessions shorter depending on round results.
- Speed of Play - How many spins you play in an hour can impact how quickly you deplete your total bankroll and the average amount taken by a casino’s House Edge per hour.
- Bonus Bets - Some games can include optional bonus or side bets that can also impact your total budget amount.
High RTP vs Low RTP Games: What’s the Difference?
When choosing what type of online casino game to play, RTP can change how your gameplay can look. Check out some of the key features that RTP impacts and what choice might be best for your next session.
| Factor | High RTP (97%+) | Low RTP (below 94%) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical game types | Some online slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat | Some online slots, online bingo, keno, scratchcards |
| Expected cost per €100 wagered | €3 or less on average | More than €6 on average |
| Jackpot or top-prize potential | Often lower | Often higher |
| How long a budget usually lasts | Longer on average (Lower House Edge) | Shorter on average (higher House Edge) |
Why Your Results Can Differ From the RTP
RTP values are important for helping indicate the expected average return of a game, but your personal RTP can vary heavily based on a number of key factors you can come across in a given session.
- Short sessions vs the long run: The length of your session can have a huge impact on your personal RTP value with longer sessions resulting in a much clearer average over shorter sessions.
- Where the RTP is paid out: Some titles can spread their total RTP across the base game and additional bonus features like jackpots or progressive bonus features.
- The game version you’re playing: Multiple versions can be available on a number of online casino sites with higher or lower theoretical RTP values.
- Game Volatility: Volatility can be used to indicate the average chance of triggering winning spins and the total expected win value you can expect for each winning spin.
- Random Chance: Random chance plays the biggest part in your results over a short session, because every spin is random and independent.
RTP in Sports Betting
RTP in Sports Betting works differently from casinos as it includes The Betting Margin. Unlike slot RTP, the bookmaker determines the betting odds, including the potential return, and the included House Edge.
For example:
ractional odds of 2/1 mean a winning bet pays twice your stake in profit. A winning €10 bet returns €30: €20 in winnings plus your €10 stake.
Similar to RTP, Betting Margins do not indicate guaranteed wins. Sports Betting is still based on a level of unpredictability like the random chance applied to online casino games.
Responsible Gambling
Regardless of RTP values, you can expect to incur costs over time. Use these responsible gambling tools to help you stay in control:
- Deposit Limits - Set Deposit Limits to control how much you can add to your account over time.
- Time/Bet Limits - Set time or bet limits to keep in control of your sessions. These limit the amount of time you can play or the total bet amount during gameplay.
- Self Exclusion - If you need an extended break from gambling, you can opt for Self Exclusion to lock your account for a set amount of time.
If gambling stops being fun, take a break and get free, confidential support from Gambling Therapy or a helpline in your country. You’ll find more help on our Responsible Gambling page.