How Return to Player (RTP) works in slots and other casino games

What is RTP (Return to Player)?

RTP, or Return to Player, refers to how much of the total amount bet on a slot machine or other casino game, will be paid back to players over a certain time period. 

This amount is expressed as a percentage, and the higher the percentage shown, the more you can win playing that game over a longer period of time.

Each slot game has its own RTP and so does every online casino – based on the average value of the accumulated RTP percentages of all the games in its library.

Simply put, the RTP determines how much the online casino machine pays you back - you can win more money playing casino games with high RTP than any other game with a lower percentage. 

Another important factor involved in calculating the payout is the house edge, and the house edge determines how much mathematical advantage an online casino has over you.

Most casino players consider the RTP as the indication of whether a game pays out frequently; however, it is not entirely true. The RTP shows how big your winning can be, while RNG actually 'awards' the win. 

The RNG stands for the random number generator, which is a chip present in all games. The RTP rate is a theoretical estimation, meaning the players cannot predict the outcome.

How does RTP actually work?

First off, it’s important to note that RTP is a theoretical statistical calculation that shouldn’t be taken as gospel. For example; It doesn’t apply to massive random wins or longer streaks of losses. 

The RTP will only tell you the average estimate for the game in question. Think of RTP as the flip side of the house edge. If you know the house advantage for a particular game is 5%, then the RTP could be seen as 95% (100%-5%) – in theory. 

So, if the RTP is 100%, it means the player has the same chances of winning as the casino. Should the RTP go over 100%, it shows that the casino is actually running at a loss for that game over the given time period. 

So, theoretically, the higher the RTP, the better payouts a slot can give. While this is not necessarily always true due to a factor called variance, it is a good rule of thumb to apply, and we, therefore, recommend that you try to avoid slots with an RTP of less than 96%.

Variance can be low and high, and it determines how often and how much the online slots games pay you. 

The casino games with low variance are good for people who prefer to play it safe because the player often gets rewards for their bets but of smaller value. 

In contrast, high variance games pay big winnings but seldom, making an exciting game for people who like the risk.

Overall, the RTP is an estimate calculation based on different factors that affect your game.

How the RTP for a casino game is calculated

The RTP can be calculated as follows: 

Here is an instance of how much you can win if the RTP of a game is 96%. 

• For your bet of $100, you will get $96; however, it is an estimated amount of money you can receive. In casino slot games, the winning amount depends on the total number of spins, and the money you win from your wagers can be lower or much higher. If you keep playing the online slot machine, the estimated reward can be closer to the RTP value.
• Another way of calculating the RTP value of 96% is considering that the house edge is 4%, meaning the casino takes $4 from your $100 wager.

RTP in Progressive Slot Machines

Progressive jackpot slot games differ from regular 3-reel or 4-reel slot machines. Many people play progressive slot games and rarely win because they are simply unaware of how they operate.

Jackpot slot games accumulate a huge amount of money as a prize to award a lucky winner. Such a prize can be very lucrative, and its value constantly goes up, sometimes reaching a million.

However, most players wager only a small amount on progressive machines when they have a spare couple of cents, which is basically only 'contributing' to the total reward.

The RTP rate of the progressive jackpot is usually lower than that of traditional games; it can be as low as 90%, depending on the game.

The purpose of it is to collect enough money before giving it away. House edge also takes some percentage from all spins, and the remaining sum goes to the prize.

Generally, if you want to receive the jackpots' reward, you need to make wagers big enough to be eligible for a win, otherwise, you might be wasting your money.

Online gambling games have a random number generator chip installed, so being eligible doesn't make you an instant winner.

Are RTP and Winning Frequency Connected?

The RTP for a game can be a little misleading as it doesn't indicate how often you can expect to get a reward.

For example, with slot games, a game with a higher win frequency pays out more often but in lesser amounts, while a slot with a lower win frequency pays out larger sums only once in a while – yet both can indicate an RTP of 97%.

Thus, the winning frequency is not directly connected with the RTP; it is the variance that decides how often you win.

How to Understand the Winning Rate of a Game?

The only way to understand the winning frequency of a game is to play it. Since online casinos do not reveal this information, a game needs to be played continuously so that this value can be more or less determined. Reading previous players' reviews can also help to analyze how the game operates.

You could calculate the difference you receive during various payouts, and if it is ten times bigger than what you wagered, there is a chance the slot machine is of high variance.

On the other end, obtaining small rewards from your bets indicates a game has a low variance.

Another essential factor that you should pay attention to is the ratio of wins. This means how often and under what combination you win the game.

Variable RTP Ranges in slots

Occasionally, you may come across games with dynamic RTP values that are changed by a variety of factors. This can seem intimidating at first, but knowing how they can work for you will put your mind at ease.

Betting

Some video slots give you a higher RTP if you bet more. This is because some jackpots and features can only be triggered at certain bet levels, many of which rely on winning combinations to activate.

Incentives

Sometimes you can gain higher RTP figures based on your in-game actions and choices. For example, in Reel Rush 2, your RTP varies based on how you activate free spins. 

The base RTP that you start the game with stands at 95.53%, the highest RTP of 96.58% comes from using purchased Super Tokens to activate free spins, while other methods yield lower figures. 

In this case, it is clear that the game is guiding you towards rather purchasing Super Tokens and rewarding you for that decision by giving you better winning chances.

The Nerdy Stuff

The more seasoned and technical video slot players out there have a more in-depth take on RTP ranges than most. 

If you peruse slot-related message boards, you may find some in-depth discussions about how reel configurations can help you adjust your winning potential.

It’s all very in-depth for the casual player, but what it seems to boil down to is that certain symbol combinations are easier or harder to achieve on different payline configurations. 

So, manually changing 5 lines to 15 lines, for example, could theoretically work in your favour. You can obviously only tinker like this on video slots that let you adjust the paylines, a feature that is missing from most modern titles.

While these are mostly educated guesses, there isn’t much proof to back up any of these theories, but I’m sure one of them will figure it out eventually.

Does RTP actually matter?

Yes and No. The RTP percentages is a theoretical statistical calculation of averages, and it won't inform you when or if you will win. 

Having said that, in some cases, the RTP is made publicly available on a regular basis by online casinos. 

It not only illustrates a level of trustworthiness but considering that rates between casinos differ, it empowers players to choose casinos that offer the best value. 

Some players will only be attracted by profitable casino games and other players who will look for an exciting storyline, sound effects, and other aesthetic features of the game.

The RTP in online casino games matters for those interested in long-term gaming with a perspective of significant rewards.