What Does RTP Mean?

Avatar for Anita Fosen Anita Fosen
2022-03-02
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casino game rtp

Have you ever wondered about how the payout mechanism of online casino games work, and how likely it is that you land a win? This is all related to two important abbreviations: RNG and RTP.

In this guide, I am taking a deep dive into the world of casino wins as I explain what RTP means in slots and other casino games. I’ll answer common questions related to the topic and explain how you can choose the best casino games for your liking.

What is RTP?

RTP is a number used to indicate the theoretical payout of a game. In gambling, this means that players can get an idea of how the payout rate of a game is. Normally the number is indicated as a percentage, for example 96%. This means that, in theory and over time, 96% of your bets are paid back to you in winnings. This again, theoretically, means that if you stake £100 at a game, you could in theory expect to have £96 left.

The reason why I emphasize “in theory” and “over time” is that the number is an indicator and not a guarantee. The RTP is calculated based on many game rounds where some rounds lose small, some lose big, some win small and some win big. If the RTP is less than 100%, it does not mean that no players win anything more than what they bet. But it does come to show that in general, players will experience some losses. This becomes especially true when we think about the many big wins that will be calculated in the equation.

What Does RTP Stand For?

RTP is an abbreviation for “return to player”. As explained, it describes the amount of money that is returned to a player from what they stake.

Why Slots RTP is Important

slot machine

While every game has an RTP and even some casinos share the return to player rate of their website in general, the term is mostly used for slot games. That is due to the fact that slots are purely based on luck. While some games such as blackjack and poker allow players to get an advantage by being strategic, slots don’t allow for any strategy.

As wins in slot games are awarded totally at random, the RTP percentage is an important indicator for players. This simply shows, point-blank, which games pay out more than others. While this is a really good thing to look at, it is important to remember that there will be other factors in place too. Low-RTP slots might not look too appealing, but they might actually end up paying out larger sums when they first land a win. For example, many progressive jackpot slots have lower RTPs but if you first land a grand jackpot, you will be laughing all the way to the bank.

What is a Good RTP for Slots?

The RTP of a slot can be anything from 70% or less up to nearly 100%. Obviously, the higher the number is, the better. But with that said, I believe that anything above 90% is good. Some of the most popular slots have an RTP of around 96%, which is a good number to aim for.

How to Find RTP on Slots

Now that you know what RTP is and how it works, you might want to start checking it before trying new games. Luckily, it is often very easy to find this information. Here are some ways you can look for it:

  1. Open the game and click on the “information” or “paytable” button. This will open a pop-up with lots of information, where the RTP is normally listed at the bottom somewhere.
  2. Check the information available on the game page at the online casino you are playing at. Some casinos have a page dedicated to information about each game.
  3. Check the website of the game provider or some slot reviews.

If you can’t find the information in the game or on the casino website, it is best to check an external source. Sometimes, the game provider has a page explaining each game. If so, the RTP is normally listed there. If that is not the case, it can be worth checking some reviews of the slot. Just remember to not just rely on one review, as the information might not be accurate. Unless you can get answers directly from the horse’s mouth, it’s best to check a few different sources to confirm.

Screenshot of Starburst RTP in the game information

What Slot Machines Have the Best RTP?

If you are set on a high return to player percentage and wondering what slots have the highest RTP, I am here for you. Here are some examples of slots with the highest RTP available:

  1. Ugga Bugga from Playtech (99.07%)
  2. Mega Joker from Netent (99%)
  3. Book of 99 from Relax Gaming (99%)
  4. Ooh Aah Dracula from Barcrest (99%)
  5. Jokerizer from Yggdrasil (98%)

So if you are looking for the most bang for your buck, these slots are some great options. Check them out at any of the following casinos:

In conclusion …

RTP stands for return to player and is a number (normally presented as a percentage) that shows how much you can expect to get paid back from your bet. The number is calculated as an average over time, based on hundreds or thousands of game rounds. This means that it is not a straightforward answer on how much you will win back. Instead, it can be used as an indicator of which games pay out more and less.

Remember that there are also other factors that can impact the payouts of a game. First of all, some games have totally random outcomes while others require some skill. Secondly, other terms such as volatility and variance are often used to describe the frequency and size of wins from a slot game. And finally, it is important to choose and play a game that you like. Don’t just focus on the numbers, but you can start checking the return to player percentage before playing a new game.

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Author Anita Fosen

Anita is a writer and editor at Kabono.com. As a creative writer and journalist, she has written thousands of articles related to online gambling. She loves reviewing new casino brands and hunting for the best and newest casino promotions to find hidden gems and the best deals for players. Read more about Anita.