A Guide to Return to Player (RTP) in Slots

Return to Play is a common phrase you’ll see and hear regularly with online slots. It underpins the math of every game and gives players an idea of the average returns the game offers.

Our guide gives you a detailed insight into RTP, how it works, and how it can impact your gameplay. Let’s get into it!

What RTP Means and How It Works

First things first, RTP stands for Return to Player and is expressed as a percentage. It shouldn’t be confused with “slot volatility,” which is a separate metric.

Essentially, the RTP shows the average return a game offers to players. For example, a game with a 97% RTP returns 97 credits for every 100 played. It’s critical to understand what is an RTP when you play slots or any other sweepstakes casino games.

Understanding RTP Calculations

In sweepstake slots, you’ll never get a full breakdown of how the RTP calculations work. Since slot developers never reveal their internal math models, the RTP is the only value players can make calculations with.

Going back to our example, a 97% RTP slot will return 97 of 100 credits on average. However, getting that exact return is not always this simple.

Keep in mind this average is calculated over hundreds of thousands of spins and across thousands of players. Naturally, not all players will get 97% of their coin value back, because some players will perform better than others.

So let’s say two players each wager 100 credits. While the first player might not see any return, the second player could see 194 credits returned. So even though one player lost all 100 credits, the RTP is still 97% as that’s the average return between the two players.

How RTP Functions in Slot Games

Essentially, the RTP tells players the average return for the game. Of course, it’s important to remember this is not a guarantee. So after learning what is RTP in casino games, always recognize you won’t have complete certainty you’ll get back the RTP percentage. Only then can you approach these games with open eyes.

What Makes a Good RTP?

Typically, the higher the level of RTP, the more enjoyable it is for players. Social casino games with an RTP of below 95% is below the average for the market. That said, many of these games offset a lower percent with a higher maximum win.

For example, a progressive jackpot game will often have a top win of over 10,000x your coin value. Because this is a significant value, the RTP may be as low as 92%. If you want to play for the biggest wins, remember to take this into account when choosing the optimal RTP for you.

Why RTP Matters in Casino Games

The RTP matters a lot in casino games because it gives you an overview of what to expect. Without the RTP, you won’t know whether the game has a fair return rate or not. Imagine playing a slot with a 98% RTP and then switching to a slot with a 2% RTP. You’d instantly spot the difference in gameplay and returns.

Interestingly, some Video Poker games might even offer an RTP above 100% if you play with a perfect strategy. However, this doesn’t guarantee you’ll walk away with a profit.

Let’s break it down in another example. Say two players play the game. This time, the first player wins 202 credits. The second player, however, loses all 100 of their credits. The RTP here is 101%, even though the second player walked away with nothing.

Advertising the RTP ensures that slots are open with their approach, and it gives players the information they need to make informed choices.

Slot Volatility vs RTP

Although knowing what is RTP in online casino gaming is vital, you should also understand that volatility and RTP are not the same.

While the RTP shows the average return to players, volatility shows how often wins have high values.

Consider the following:

Low volatility typically provides regular wins, but these wins will have lower values.
High volatility normally provides less frequent wins, but these wins will have higher values.
Medium volatility, meanwhile, sits between these two levels.

While there can be links between RTP and volatility, it’s not guaranteed that an RTP leads to a specific volatility.

For example, an RTP of above 97% will typically suggest average returns are relatively regular and more likely to remain at a consistent level. This could be a low volatility game, providing more regular wins but at a lower individual value.

However, a game with a higher maximum payout could end up with a high RTP and high volatility, as the players winning larger amounts will boost the RTP.

RTP vs Volatility: What’s the Difference?

Ultimately, the difference between RTP and volatility is quite stark.

Volatility greatly affects the gaming experience of a slot. If you’re playing a game with high volatility, you will have a different experience than playing a game with low volatility.

For example, if you get bored waiting for wins to come along, you won’t enjoy high volatility slots as much. In contrast, if you prefer regular wins, then low volatility should be your choice.

While the RTP is critical when choosing a slot game, it won’t have as large an impact on your gameplay unless there’s a huge difference between the RTP percentages. For example, a 93% and 98% game will play very similarly, but a 70% and 98% game will feel much different.

However, the feeling of playing a low volatility game compared to a high one is much more noticeable.

That’s why it’s so important to check both the RTP and volatility when choosing a game, as this will allow you to get the right mix for your needs. Luckily, you can try a few different slots using your GC at Sportzino, to find out which style of game is right for you.

What’s a Strong RTP Percentage?

The average RTP for the market is 95%. So, any game that has an RTP at or above 96% will likely also carry a strong value. Some games can hit an RTP of 98-99%, so if you want a return that’s well above expectations, seek out these games first. Some of the best sports slots have values around this level, and they’re a lot of fun.

Taking the maximum win into account also helps you figure out if the RTP is a strong return rate. While a progressive jackpot can pay out incredible amounts, it can impact the RTP since the returns would be reduced to cover for this larger win. If you want to play for the biggest wins, then you should expect a slight drop in the RTP.

Why High RTP Slots Are Beneficial

Playing a high RTP slot allows you to approach a game knowing that on average it returns more to players than other games. While it won’t guarantee a positive return, statistically, it has a better chance of giving you a better return than other games.

Any players who approach slots with a mathematical mindset must always take this into account.

Finally, a slot can’t claim to have a certain RTP unless it’s been proven and audited, and because this requires hundreds of thousands of spins in a lab environment, it’s a trustworthy metric.