RTP in Online Slots Explained: What Return to Player Means

What is RTP in Slot Games?

The UK Gambling Commission defines Return to Player (RTP) percentage as “part of the money paid to play the machine that is then given back to the player as prizes.” But that’s a little technical and doesn’t really explain it for the average player. So let’s look at a quick example. 

If a slot game has 96% RTP, that means that, in theory, for every £100 wagered, £96 should return to players over time. However, that doesn’t mean that if you spend £100, you’ll definitely get £96 back. RTP is calculated over millions of spins. Because RTP is calculated over such a long period of time, some casinos advertise “hot” and “cold” games, with high or low RTP over a short period. 

Slots can have higher or lower RTP over a shorter period of time

The inverse of RTP is the house edge, which is the percentage a casino keeps. This is how online casinos are profitable: slot games are designed to make a profit for the casino over time. In fact, this is the origin of the famous phrase “the house always wins”. 

A less common metric that you might see is called “hit frequency”, which is defined as how regularly a slot game pays out a win. For example, if you’re likely to get one winning combination in 10 spins, the game has a hit frequency of 10%.

The Difference Between RTP, RNG, and Volatility 

To fully understand RTP, you need to understand a few other key slot game concepts.
Random Number Generator (RNG) technology is a computer algorithm that randomly generates numbers all the time. The numbers align with symbol combinations, which is why the symbols that land on the reels are totally random every time you spin. A slot game can never remember you, so that’s a total myth. 

Volatility refers to the way in which a slot game pays out, as opposed to RTP, which is about how much the slot pays out. A highly volatile slot tends to pay out less often, but wins are bigger, while a low volatility game pays small but consistent wins. RTP and volatility are a careful balance, because a game with 96% can have a high, medium, or low volatility index. This means that RTP isn’t the only important factor in choosing a game - volatility is also key. 

How Does RTP Actually Work?

In the UK, there are two different ways for RTP to be calculated: Compensated Control and Random Control. 

If a game uses Compensated Control, it continuously checks how much is being paid out and then slightly adjusts the odds of winning to meet the target RTP of the game. Random Control, on the other hand, the game relies entirely on statistical probabilities. 

When you play a licensed online casino here in the UK, the RTP and game fairness are certified by independent bodies. Look out for certifications from the likes of eCOGRA and iTechLabs, to prove that the games have been audited. 

How Does RTP Actually Work

What is Considered a “Good” RTP for Slot Games?

As I’ve mentioned already, a high RTP isn’t a guarantee that you’ll win during a single gaming session. But choosing a game with a higher RTP might give you a better chance of a payout over a long period of time. 

There’s no statutory minimum RTP for slot games in the UK, but the average is considered to be around 96%. There are a few games that come with much higher RTP, for example, 98% or more: Blood Suckers and 1429 Uncharted Seas are two of the most popular high RTP options. 

In general, progressive jackpot games like Mega Moolah tend to come with a lower overall RTP percentage, but the chance to win a large jackpot prize makes these games worth a go. 

How to Find the RTP of a Slot

It’s easy to see the theoretical Return to Player percentage of a slot game. Some casino platforms list the RTP of every game on one page, usually accessible via the footer of the website, but it’s also readily available in each game’s info section. You can click on the paytable or game info once you’ve opened up the slot game, and if you scroll to the end, you should be able to find the RTP of the game. 

The game info displays the theoretical RTP