Slot RTP: Everything You Want To Know About Payback Percentage

Casino players make no secret of attaching great importance to RTP. Not that they see it as an imperative but definitely as one of the decisive factors in the choice of games. Why is it so? Isn’t it enough that we can pick the next fave simply in accordance with our individual preferences? If anything, nowadays we can dive into the vast sea of different themes, reel mechanics, and bonuses. 

Well, slots are easy to play but if you want to make the best of your spinning time, it’s a good idea to figure out how they work and how their essential components are linked. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what’s hiding behind the acronym RTP.

What Is RTP?

Short for return to player, RTP is the long-term theoretical payback percentage from all bets placed on a certain game or, in our case, slot. The opposite of house edge, it shows the amount of all wagered money intended to go back to the players. To put it even easier, if your favorite title has an RTP of 98%, it means it will pay back $98 of every $100 staked – in the long run, of course.

It’s crucial to understand that we’re talking about millions of spins taken as the base for calculating this percentage, so do not even try to test its validity as your bankroll might come to an end much faster than the required number of rounds. Regardless of whether you hit big wins or have quick losses, the odds of the slot remain the same, so in the long term, it will return to players 98% of all staked money while keeping for the house the remaining 2%.

Can Online Casinos Manipulate RTP Of Their Slots?

Perhaps, you’ve noticed that the return percentage of the same title often varies from one web-based venue to another. Some players tend to believe that it’s all about some „greedy“ studios trying to rip off a layman. 

In reality, this has nothing to do with rapacity of software developers but rather with the fact, many of them produce slots with a pretty wide range of RTPs, which can start at as low as 89% and go up to impressive 97%. While game makers would love to see their masterpieces offered at the highest possible payback percentage to attract more players, it’s up to the operator which version to choose. 

The answer to the question is NO.

Online casinos cannot manipulate RTP of their slots and, frankly speaking, they do not need to – selecting a suitable percentage from the very outset looks like a much easier option. Anyway, given the existence of various possibilities, it’s always a good idea to check out how much a certain game returns before hitting the spin button, especially when playing at a new to you place. 

To comply with the strict requirements of the licensing authorities, both software providers and operators are obliged to make RTP easily visible and accessible for users. Usually, you’ll find the percentage in the info section of the game after paytable and description of eventual add-ons.

The great news is...

...online slots generally can brag of solid RTPs, much better than their land-based counterparts. Indeed, a sleek cabinet that pays back 96% would consider a loose machine while virtual pokies with the same return can hardly impress the audience by their generosity.

RTP & Variance

If one considers the RTP only, the system is very straightforward – find the game with the highest return (similar to NetEnt’s Mega Joker able to give back up to 99,1%) and look your bankroll growing like crazy.

Sounds perfect?

Well, such a scenario is obviously too good to be true. Modern slots are a way past complicated creatures that behave differently depending on their volatility, hit frequency rate, and the presence or absence of extra features. Progressive Jackpots, for instance, automatically mean a lower RTP by several percent compared to non-progressive titles but people love them! Indeed, can you imagine a lucky dude that just hit a staggering prize saying “it didn’t pay off”? 

Variance is another factor…

…that is often linked with RTP in a wrong manner. Nobody disputes the two are interconnected but slot volatility is just the way that defines RTP realization, not the percentage. While high-variance thrillers are designed to deliver big but mainly within bonuses, low-volatile titles can fuel your bankroll thanks to somewhat smaller yet more frequent wins in the base game.

The point is, not all slots with high RTP are hot tickets because if they are also high-volatile, you might never see the benefits of their winning potential unless your financial resources are infinite.

Which US-Friendly Slots Pay The Best?

The majority of punters have the impression that truly best-paying slots come only from NetEnt, Play n’Go, Thunderkick, or Playtech. Fortunately, it’s not true as vibrant lobbies of US online casinos let you take advantage of many games with really high odds, some of them are worldwide blockbusters.

It’d take too long to cite them all…

…but here are several examples. If you are a fan of immersive Rival-powered i-Slots, give a spin to action-packed Cosmic Quest: Mystery Planets that returns 98.95% or chat with Elvis in electrifying Rock On! with an RTP of roaring 98%. Moving forward, the revolutionary collection of Malta-based BetSoft has a lot to offer not only in terms of superb graphics and unique skill bonuses but also in terms of the amount of money some of its masterpieces give back to brave contestants. Regardless of the chosen side, Good Girl Bad Girl pays 97.8% while an incendiary tribute to nightlife At The Copa delivers lofty 97%.

Finally, if you’re one of those who believe RealTime Gaming makes the best slots, then you already know that its diverse portfolio comprises a bunch of precious pearls able to return up to 97.5%, with such universal favorites as Cleopatra’s Gold and PayDirt! among them. 

To sum up, the general advice is to be wise and, naturally, look for releases with higher paybacks, at the same time not disregarding plenty of other things that turn an ordinary story into a smash hit. At the end of the day, slots are a game of pure luck meaning you can land a big win playing the least generous machine or lose with the most bountiful blockbuster. 

It’s hard to argue that slots are pure fun. And isn’t that awesome?