In the online gambling world, the term RTP stands for return to player. The RTP for an online slot game is expressed as a percentage and represents the theoretical amount of money a casino game pays back to players over time. While the theoretical payout percentage is calculated based on probability, the actual RTP is what the players get back during a playing session.
A game’s house edge is the opposite of RTP. If a slot machine has a 97% RTP, then you can expect the house edge to be 3%. This refers to the casino advantage the gambling site or operator has over you. The best-case scenario is to have a game with a high RTP and a low house edge to have better odds of winning. However, it’s important to understand that even with favourable metrics, short-term results are subject to variance, especially in games like slots.
For a more predictable experience, some players may prefer games with lower variance and more frequent, smaller payouts. Therefore, these two features have a significant influence on how gamblers choose online casino games to play. Many EU Online Casinos and similar international online casinos prioritise offering games with competitive RTP values, ensuring players have access to fair and rewarding gameplay.
Understanding the RTP Percentage
Casino software developers carry out thorough tests to determine the theoretical payout percentage for each game. While the RTP can vary greatly from one game to another, you may not notice a significant difference in the short term if you play two different games with almost the same payout percentages such as 96.00% and 96.40%.
If you bet on two outcomes such as black and red twice, it’s possible for one of the colours to appear twice in both rounds. That would mean a 100% RTP, which is not an accurate representation of your actual chances of winning. Therefore, the most effective way to calculate your odds of winning is to bet on the two colours as many times as possible. Using this example, the RTP for online slots is calculated based on thousands or millions of simulated spins to assign an accurate payout percentage. Below is a simplified formula to calculate RTP.
Types of RTP in Online Casino Games
Online gambling operators offer a wide range of casino games from the top-tier game providers in the industry. Each game comes with a specific return to player percentage mentioned on the information page. The RTP rate can be fixed, variable, high, or low depending on the selected game. Let’s explore the different types of RTPs below.
Fixed RTP
In fixed RTP casino games, the return to player percentage remains the same regardless of the selected casino or when you choose to play. Most slot machines at quality online casinos and land-based gambling establishments have a fixed payout percentage.
Variable RTP
As the name implies, casino games with a variable RTP offer several payout percentages. A good example is the Big Bad Wolf Megaways slot by Quickspin. The default slot RTP for this game is 96.05%, but it changes to 96.44% if you use the Buy Feature.
High RTP
Most experienced players prefer playing games with a high return to player rate for a reason. That’s because High-RTP slots and other casino games return a decent amount of the money wagered to players over time. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge.
Low RTP
Low RTP casino games usually have a return to player rate that’s lower than the industry average of 96%. Some progressive jackpot games have low RTPs, so the casino advantage is generally high. But they can be rewarding if you get lucky and hit the jackpot.
Understanding casino game and slot RTP is crucial before placing real money bets at online casinos. While it’s important to know the basic rules for each game as a player, you must also be aware of how the return to player and volatility levels can impact the outcomes at the end of your playing session. On the other hand, casino operators should provide games with different RTPs and volatility levels to cater to players with diverse preferences.
Now that you understand how these two factors work together to shape your gameplay, you should be able to make the right decisions to increase your odds of winning as you play your favourite online slot or casino game.
