What is RTP in Slots & Why Is It Important?
Return to Player (RTP) is a term used by casinos to describe how much money a gaming machine will pay back to players over time. This is calculated as the average over a considerable amount of game plays rather than each time the machine is played.
Each game title has a different RTP, which makes this an important factor to consider when choosing an online slot. Knowing the RTP of a given game will give you an idea of how much you can expect to win back from a particular slot, which in turn can help you manage your bankroll and minimize your losses.
Here is everything you need to know about RTP and slots.
What is RTP?
As mentioned above, the return to player rate shows how much you can get back from a certain casino game. In theory, if you play a slot with an RTP of 95% you can expect to win $95 for every $100 you wager.
The higher the RTP rate, the better the odds of walking away with a profit.
Typically slots offer RTP rates between 80 and 95%, although you may find high-paying casinos with RTP rates over 97%.
RTP vs House Edge
The RTP is the opposite of the house edge, which represents the advantage a casino has over the player. So, if a game has a stated house edge of 2.7, you can expect to lose $2.7 for every $100 you wager. This way the RTP can also help you gauge potential losses.
How is RTP calculated?
The RTP rate is the total amount won by players divided by the total amount of wagers placed. So, if you bet $1 on 100 spins and win $98, the RTP for that session would be 98%.
However, you should remember that the RTP is calculated as an average of over 10,000 or 100,000 game plays rather than just one session. This means that there is no guarantee you will win $95 on $100 wagered on a slot machine with a 95% RTP. All casino games, and slots in particular, are based purely on chance—you may try playing at the right time or using demo mode to practice but in the end, it’s all up to luck.
How to find the RTP of a game?
Don’t worry, you won’t have to caricature the RTP over a million spins yourself. In Canada, all the best online casinos must make the RTP rate of a game visible as per regulatory requirements. Even if the casino does not display this information, you can check the RTP with the software provider directly—the return-to-player rate of a single title is usually the same across multiple gambling sites.
Why Is the RTP Rate Important?
The RTP can help you choose games that have the best odds. In fact, picking titles with a high RTP rate is one of the best strategies to use when playing slots, which is why most experienced gamblers go for games with an RTP percentage of 95 or higher.
Knowing the RTP of an online slot will also give you a rough idea of how much you can win and lose, which in turn can help you manage your bankroll and your expectations.
Bear in mind though that a high RTP does not guarantee a win every time as different versions and sessions of the same game will always show different outcomes. For your results to align with the RTP you will need to play thousands of spins on the same game.
It is not the only factor to consider either. You also need to think about volatility and bonuses when choosing an online slot.
Volatility
This measures how often a certain game pays out and how big the winnings will be. For instance, a game with high volatility, like Medusa Megaways by Nextgen Gaming will pay out less often but will provide bigger payouts. Conversely, a low-volatility game, such as Jackpot Raiders by Yggdrasil, may pay out more frequently, but the winnings will be lower.
Bonus features
Whether it’s multipliers or bonus spins, freebies can significantly increase your chances of winning by giving you more opportunities for playing. Not to mention that features like wilds, scatters, and other bonus slot symbols make the game more exciting and engaging to play.
How does RTP work with progressive slots: Base Vs Theoretical RTP
Progressive slots work a bit differently than regular machines as the RTP of the game changes as the jackpot grows. With progressive slots, you need to know more about base RTP and theoretical RTP to choose the right game to play.
Base RTP is the amount you can expect to win back when the jackpot is first seeded. On the other hand, the theoretical RTP, which as the name suggests is just a guess, increases as the jackpot becomes bigger.
In theory, if a slot has a base RTP of 95% and the jackpot grows from $100,000 to $1 million, the theoretical RTP would be 98%. That said, you won’t be able to estimate the value of the theoretical RTP until the jackpot is won.
If you are playing progressive slots, look for games with a base RTP over 92% or 95%—low-base RTP games will go through your bankroll faster and you won’t win as frequently.
Top 10 Slots With the Highest RTP in Canada
Here is a quick overview of the best-paying slot title in Canadian casinos right now.
- Mega Joker by NetEnt: 99%
- 1429 Uncharted Seas by Thunderkick: 98.6%
- Bloodsuckers by NetEnt: 98% RTP
- Kings of Chicago by NetEnt: 97.8%
- Devil’s Delight by NetEnt: 97.6%
- Monopoly Big Event by Barcrest: 96%
- Magicious by Thunderkick: 96%
- Esqueleto Explosivo by Thunderkick: 96.0%
- Jackpot 6000 by NetEnt: 95%
- Jokerizer by Yggdrasil Gaming: 88.8% to 98%
Final Words
Finding slots with the best RTP rates can make your bankroll go a long way. It can also help you plan your expectations and spending, thereby reducing your losses.
Even though the RTP is important, you should also look at other features when choosing an online slot. If you like taking risks, try out a title with high volatility, but if you want to play it safe, then look for games with low volatility and a high RTP, such as 1429 Uncharted Seas by Thunderkick or Secrets of Atlantis by NetEnt.
FAQ
All gamblers who aim to win at slots (rather than just play for fun) should opt for games with high RTP as this will ensure they get the best chances. Volatility is another factor to think about. It is not uncommon for first-timers to mistakenly believe that playing high-volatility games is better. Actually, newbies should stick to low-volatility titles that provide frequent but smaller winnings.
Slots may be one of the best casino games for beginners, but you should carefully consider all the factors before choosing the right title to play.
You can usually find higher RTP rates in online casinos than in brick-and-mortar establishments. Since the online casino world is so competitive, various providers will offer high RTP rates in order to attract customers. Online casinos also have lower operating costs, especially when compared to some of the biggest casinos in the world, which further allows them to offer big payouts.
Any slot title that has a return to player rate over 90% offers good odds, although you should aim for games with RTP over 95%. The higher the RTP the better the chances of winning, but don’t forget to consider volatility as well which measures how often a machine will payout and the amount you can win.
In general, it is the software provider rather than the casino that determines the RTP, although some developers may allow the casino to lower or increase the RTP on certain games. For the casino to change the percentage, they would have to go through the proper channels and file the necessary paperwork.
If you don’t trust that the casino will give you the right RTP, you can always check with the provider directly and get a more accurate value.
