What is RTP? How Return to Player Affects Your Winnings
If you have ever browsed online casino games and spotted a percentage like 96.5% or 98%, that number is the RTP — Return to Player. It is one of the most important figures in online gambling, yet most beginners scroll right past it without understanding what it actually means for their money.
This guide explains exactly what RTP is, how it works in practice, why it matters when you choose a game, and what the number really tells you — and what it does not.
Quick Answer: RTP is the percentage of all wagered money that a casino game is designed to pay back to players over a very long period of time. A 96% RTP means the game returns £96 for every £100 wagered on average — across millions of spins.
What Does RTP Stand For?
RTP stands for Return to Player. It is expressed as a percentage and tells you how much of the total money bet on a game is theoretically paid back to players over time.
For example: a slot with 96% RTP is mathematically programmed to return £96 for every £100 wagered — averaged across millions of spins and thousands of players.
The remaining 4% is the house edge — the casino’s built-in profit margin on that game.
| Term | What It Means | Example |
| RTP | Percentage returned to players over time | 96% RTP |
| House Edge | Casino’s theoretical profit margin | 4% house edge |
| Variance / Volatility | How often and how much a game pays out | High, Medium, Low |
| Theoretical RTP | Calculated over millions of rounds | Not your personal session |
How is RTP Calculated?
RTP is not determined randomly. It is mathematically built into a game by the developer during design and is verified by independent testing labs like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI before the game is released.
The Basic Formula
RTP (%) = (Total Amount Paid Out ÷ Total Amount Wagered) × 100
A Simple Example
Imagine 1,000 players each bet £10 on a slot — £10,000 total wagered. If the game pays out £9,600 in winnings across all those players, the RTP is:
(£9,600 ÷ £10,000) × 100 = 96% RTP
It is crucial to understand that this is spread across all players and all spins — one player might win £500 while another loses their entire £10. The 96% is a long-term statistical average, not a guaranteed return per session.
Why Does RTP Matter to You as a Player?
RTP is your single most useful tool for comparing games before you play. Here is why it matters:
- Higher RTP = more money returned to players over time, meaning the house edge is smaller
- Lower RTP = the casino keeps a larger percentage of every bet
- Choosing a 97% RTP game over a 92% RTP game significantly reduces what you lose per hour of play
- Over long sessions, the difference between a 94% and a 97% RTP adds up to real money
Here is what the numbers look like in practice over a session where you wager £500 total:
| Game RTP | House Edge | Expected Loss on £500 Wagered |
| 98% | 2% | £10 |
| 96% | 4% | £20 |
| 94% | 6% | £30 |
| 92% | 8% | £40 |
| 88% | 12% | £60 |
| 85% | 15% | £75 |
Important: These are expected losses based on theoretical RTP. In any real session, you might win, lose more, or break even — RTP is a long-term average, not a guarantee.
RTP by Game Type — What to Expect
Different types of casino games have very different RTP ranges. Knowing where your favourite game sits helps you make better decisions.
| Game Type | Typical RTP Range | Notes |
| Online Slots | 92% – 98% | Varies hugely — always check before playing |
| Blackjack (Basic Strategy) | 99% – 99.5% | One of the highest RTPs in the casino |
| European Roulette | 97.3% | Single zero — always choose over American |
| American Roulette | 94.7% | Double zero makes it significantly worse |
| Video Poker (Jacks or Better) | 99% – 99.5% | With perfect strategy |
| Baccarat (Banker Bet) | 98.9% | One of the safest bets in the casino |
| Craps (Pass Line) | 98.6% | Low house edge bet |
| Keno | 75% – 85% | Very low RTP — avoid if possible |
| Scratch Cards | 70% – 90% | Often poor RTP — check before buying |
RTP vs Volatility — What is the Difference?
RTP and volatility are two separate things that work together to describe a game’s behaviour. Many beginners confuse them or assume high RTP automatically means frequent wins — that is not correct.
RTP
RTP tells you the long-term average payout percentage. It says nothing about how often you win or how big the wins are.
Volatility (also called Variance)
Volatility describes how a game pays out — whether it gives many small wins frequently or rare but large wins.
| Volatility | Win Frequency | Win Size | Best For |
| Low | Very often | Small amounts | Casual players, longer sessions |
| Medium | Moderate | Moderate amounts | Most balanced experience |
| High | Rarely | Large amounts | Players chasing big jackpots |
Example: Two slots can both have 96% RTP. One is low volatility — you win small amounts frequently. The other is high volatility — you might go 200 spins without a win, then land a 500x payout. Same RTP, very different experience.
How to Find the RTP of a Game
You should always check a game’s RTP before you play. Here is where to find it:
- Open the game and look for an information button (usually labelled i or ? or Rules)
- Check the game’s paytable — many games display RTP in the paytable section
- Visit the game developer’s official website — all reputable developers publish RTPs
- Check independent review sites or casino review pages like AllWinPoker.com
- Look at the casino’s game library page — some casinos display RTP alongside each game
If you cannot find the RTP for a game anywhere, that is a warning sign. Reputable casinos and developers always make this information available.
Theoretical RTP vs Actual RTP — Know the Difference
There are two types of RTP you may come across:
Theoretical RTP
This is the RTP set by the game developer and verified by a testing lab. It is the percentage the game is designed to pay out over an infinite number of spins. This is what is advertised — for example, a slot labelled 96% RTP.
Actual (Live) RTP
Some casinos publish the actual RTP for their games — the real percentage paid out to all players on that game at that casino over the past month. This can be higher or lower than the theoretical RTP due to the randomness of results over shorter time periods.
Tip: If a casino shows live RTP data for their games, it means they are being transparent with players — a good sign that the casino is trustworthy.
Common RTP Myths — Busted
| Myth | Reality |
| A 96% RTP means I get back 96p of every £1 I bet | No — it is an average across millions of spins, not per individual bet |
| A game is due a big win because it has not paid out in a while | False — each spin is independent. Past results do not affect future spins |
| Changing your bet size changes the RTP | False — the RTP is the same regardless of your stake size |
| Playing at a certain time of day improves your RTP | False — RTP is fixed in the game code and does not change by time |
| A casino can change the RTP of a game whenever they want | False — licensed casinos cannot alter certified game RTP without regulatory approval |
How to Use RTP When Choosing a Game — 7 Practical Tips
- Always look for games with RTP of 95% or higher — avoid anything below 94%
- For table games, learn basic strategy — it can push RTP close to 99%
- Combine RTP with volatility choice — high RTP with low volatility suits casual play
- Use RTP to compare two similar games before deciding which to play
- Be cautious of branded slots — they often have lower RTP (92%–94%) due to licensing costs
- Check if the casino lists live RTP — it shows transparency and builds trust
- Remember that RTP does not guarantee your session result — play within your budget regardless
Examples of High RTP Games to Look For
| Game | Type | RTP | Volatility |
| Mega Joker (NetEnt) | Slot | 99% | High |
| Monopoly Big Event (Barcrest) | Slot | 99% | Low |
| Blood Suckers (NetEnt) | Slot | 98% | Low |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas (Thunderkick) | Slot | 98.6% | Low |
| Blackjack (with basic strategy) | Table | 99.5% | Low |
| Video Poker — Jacks or Better | Video Poker | 99.5% | Low |
| European Roulette | Table | 97.3% | Medium |
| Baccarat — Banker Bet | Table | 98.9% | Low |
Key RTP Statistics — Quick Reference
| Statistic | Figure |
| Average online slot RTP | 95% – 96% |
| Highest recorded slot RTP | 99% (Mega Joker) |
| Lowest acceptable RTP (our recommendation) | 95% |
| Blackjack RTP with perfect strategy | Up to 99.5% |
| American Roulette vs European Roulette RTP difference | 2.6% worse for players |
| Keno average RTP | 75% – 85% |
Frequently Asked Questions About RTP
Is a higher RTP always better?
In theory, yes — a higher RTP means less is taken by the house. However, you also need to consider volatility. A very high RTP slot with extreme volatility might not suit your budget or playing style.
Does RTP change depending on how much I bet?
No. The RTP is fixed in the game’s programming and does not change based on your stake size. Betting £1 or £10 per spin, the RTP percentage remains identical.
Can a casino rig the RTP of a game?
Licensed and regulated casinos cannot alter certified game RTP. The game software is tested and certified by independent labs such as eCOGRA, and regulators audit casinos to ensure they are running certified games without modification.
Why did I lose money even though the game has 97% RTP?
Because RTP is a long-term average across millions of rounds. In any individual session, especially a short one, you can easily win or lose much more or less than the RTP would suggest. Random variance means short-term results can be very different from the theoretical average.
What is the difference between RTP and house edge?
They are two sides of the same coin. If a game has 96% RTP, the house edge is 4%. RTP + House Edge always equals 100%.
Where can I find games with the highest RTP?
Check our casino reviews at AllWinPoker.com where we list the RTP for top games and recommend high-RTP options for every game type.
Conclusion — Use RTP as Your First Filter
Understanding RTP is one of the most practical skills you can develop as an online casino player. It does not guarantee results, but it does give you an objective way to compare games and make smarter choices.
The key takeaways from this guide:
- RTP is a long-term theoretical average, not a per-session guarantee
- Always look for games with 95% RTP or higher
- Combine RTP with volatility to find the right game for your budget and style
- Table games like blackjack and baccarat generally offer higher RTP than slots
- Licensed casinos cannot alter game RTP — always play at regulated sites
Use RTP as your first filter when choosing a game. It is the single most transparent piece of information a casino can give you — and smart players always use it.
Responsible Gambling Notice
Gambling should always be for entertainment. No strategy or knowledge of RTP guarantees winnings. Set a budget before you play and stick to it. If gambling is affecting your life, visit BeGambleAware.org or contact the National Gambling Helpline.
This content is intended for adults aged 18 and over only.