The Return to Player (RTP or payout percentage) is a term used by minimum deposit online casinos to indicate the percentage of the total bet amount of a specific slot machine or game that on average is returned to the player in the long run. But how will this influence the choices you make when playing?
What does RTP (Return to Player) mean?
Casino ‘Return To Player’ (RTP) is the expression used to explain what the total monetary amount is that, in an ideal world, is paid out by a casino game or slot machine to the players. It is expressed as a percentage and is calculated based on a long-term evaluation of the game. RTP is in principle the opposite calculation of the ‘house edge’ – the mathematical advantage for the casino in one of their games.
We say ‘in an ideal world’ because of course a player can place a single $2 bet on one of our selected best online slot machines, win $100 with that, and immediately withdraw their money. For the lucky player the RTP will now equal a profit of 50x the bet, but casinos work with long term strategies, and most standard games have a long term RTP of 95-97 percent. This means that a game on average pays out 95 to 97 percent of every pound, dollar or euro wagered.
How is the RTP calculated?
In theory, it is fairly simple to calculate a game’s RTP. The formula is relatively straightforward: The total amount paid out to a player divided by the total amount wagered by a player. However, the RTP of for example online slots can be misleading, because it does not indicate how often you can expect to win.
In games like online Blackjack it is much clearer, because you know you will win about half of the bets placed, but slots, which can pay out enormous jackpots, pay out less frequently, but with considerably higher amounts. In the long run however the end result will always be the same, namely an RTP towards the player slightly less than the total of all bets.
In general, the RTP of casino games looks like this:
- Online Slots — 93-99 percent
- European Roulette — 97.3 percent
- American Roulette — 94 percent
With other games it is more difficult to calculate because it depends on the strategy applied by a player. There are various bets possible in the game of Craps (whereby the RTP varies from excellent to dreadful), and Blackjack is a game of skill. With a refined strategy the RTP is exceptionally high (more than 99 percent), but a bad player, who hits on 17 while the dealer has a 6, can drastically bring down their RTP.
How do online casinos implement RTP in their games?
RTP is the beating heart of every one dollar online casino. It’s what brings money into the casino and generates a profit. It’s a certain profit margin, but it’s something very different from a bookmaker’s odds, although that model makes it easier to understand how profit margins are estimated.
Look at it this way: The fair odds on each horse in a horse race of 6 evenly matched horses should be 5/1. If a reputable bookmaker takes a $100 bet on each horse, their turnover will be $600, and whichever horse wins, their payout will also always be $600. That means zero profit and 100 percent RTP.
That’s why bookmakers will give odds of 4/1 to each horse, which means accumulated bets will still amount to $600, but paid out prizes come to $500. In this situation, there is a payout percentage of 120%. $500 is paid out for every $600 taken in, a yield of 20%. But this isn’t the profit margin, because $100 would be paid out for every $120 taken in bets. In the case of a 20% profit margin the payout should be less, since 20% profit on $120 comes down to $24. So it’s something different than an RTP in the casino world, and luckily RTP is much easier to understand.
Since many online casino games like instant win games, Deal or no Deal, slots, etc. are very complex, advanced algorithms and associated testing are required to prove indicated RTPs are correct, and in the world of online casinos these need to be verified and certified (like eCogra), with regular testing taking place.
Understanding and applying RTPs in other games like online roulette is much more straightforward. It’s possible to calculate a wheel’s house edge with 18 winning numbers and 19 or 20 losing numbers (depending on whether you’re playing on a single or double zero wheel) through a few simple calculations with pen and paper.
What Percentage Do Slot Machines Pay Out?
RTP is most relevant for online slots, because with slots you can stake your money at a much higher rate than most other traditional casino games. The better the RTP of a slot machine, the more entertainment you will get for your money. As a result, RTP has become a term that many slot players take notice of when choosing the right slot machine, and voting with their feet has made RTPs increasingly more attractive over the years.
It’s a fact that some slots, with devilish RTPs of around 93 percent, have been removed from outdated, unscrupulous online casinos. The relatively high RTP of physical slot machines in real world casinos in this modern age is very interesting, but they are still often less attractive compared to slots at online casinos.
From the few remaining ‘greedy slots’ (typically around 95-96 percent), online software providers have at least ensured these no longer contribute to wagering requirements for welcome bonuses and other bonuses for new players, which is a welcome gesture.
So why would you want to play a slot machine with bad RTP? There are hundreds or even thousands of slots many of which work the same way, but they all provide a different player experience. But in general all slots fall into one or two categories: ‘low’ and ‘high variance’ slots.
‘Low variance’ slots are called that because there is a small chance of quickly losing your money – so the amount you start with ‘varies’ very little. This type of machine typically pays out, although they are not clearly labeled, a lot of small prizes, and regularly modest jackpots.
The opposite, ‘high variance’ slots, usually take a different approach to paying out prizes, check beforehand whether it is an online casino in case you want to be paid out via banking methods. They yield prizes much less often, but when they do, the prizes are much bigger. Chasing life changing prizes on a progressive jackpot slot can be attractive, and playing with a less favorable RTP is a sacrifice most dream chasers are all too happy to make.
Top 5 RTP Slots
| Slot Name | RTP | Software Provider | Features |
| Mega Joker | 99% | NetEnt | Classic fruit machine theme, super meter mode with 99% RTP |
| Blood Suckers | 98% | NetEnt | Vampire theme, free spins, expanding wilds |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.60% | Thunderkick | Ocean exploration concept, expanding wilds |
| Jackpot 6000 | Up to 98.9% | NetEnt | Retro style, super meter mode, fruit symbols |
| Simsalabim | 98% | NetEnt | Magic show concept, re-spins, expanding wild symbol |
RTP in American Roulette
Both European and American roulette wheels essentially consist of two different games: Bets to double up like red/black and even/odd, and bets on the main field on a single number, or in the form of a split, row, corner, or street. It’s a fact that the roulette wheel generates very little turnover from 2/1 bets like dozens and columns.
Nevertheless, all these various bets essentially come down to the same when you calculate their average RTP on an American roulette wheel. But the facts are relatively clear and with 38 numbers the RTP of all bets on a ‘double zero’ roulette wheel is considerably lower than the European variant.
| BET TYPE | PAYOUT | WIN CHANCE | HOUSE EDGE |
| Straight Up | 35/1 | 2.63% | 5.26% |
| Split | 17/1 | 5.26% | 5.26% |
| Street | 11/1 | 7.89% | 5.26% |
| Corner | 8/1 | 10.53% | 5.26% |
| Six Line | 5/1 | 15.79% | 5.26% |
| Dozens/Columns | 2/1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
| Red/Black, Even/Odd | 1/1 | 46.37% | 5.26% |
RTP in European Roulette
European roulette wheels have a considerably better RTP than those heavily promoted in Las Vegas. The difference is 2.6 percent which at first glance might not seem like much, but in case of bets to double up and to explain the RTP difference: a zero will spin twice as often and when that happens these bets will be lost outright. And that’s twice as often!
| BET TYPE | PAYOUT | WIN CHANCE | HOUSE EDGE |
| Straight Up | 35/1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Split | 17/1 | 5.41% | 2.70% |
| Street | 11/1 | 8.11% | 2.70% |
| Corner | 8/1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| Six Line | 5/1 | 16.20% | 2.70% |
| Dozens/Columns | 2/1 | 32.40% | 2.70% |
| Red/Black, Even/Odd | 1/1 | 48.64% | 2.70% |
What sort of RTP can I expect when playing online blackjack?
Most online casinos offer various versions of online Blackjack, and they in turn all have a different RTP. Ultimate Blackjack Surrender Blackjack, Switch, Super Fun 21, Spanish 21 Blackjack, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Pontoon Blackjack, Hi Lo, and several comparable games come with considerably lower RTPs than the traditional and original Blackjack variants.
Premium Blackjack has a theoretical RTP of 99.67 percent, when played with a flawless strategy, and classic Blackjack isn’t far behind at 99.4 percent. However few players can play with an optimal strategy, and those who can also struggle to maintain discipline. Nevertheless, even the worst blackjack variants combined with applying a poor strategy rarely come below 95 percent RTP.
Conclusion
RTP percentages are an extremely useful tool in every serious online casino player’s arsenal, and they help guide you to determine for each game whether it’s worth risking money on. The most reputable casinos clearly display their RTPs for all their games. We already made an overview for you of the highest paying casinos.
Finding the best games with the highest RTP is without a doubt the best way of guaranteeing more entertainment long term in the casino, while simultaneously increasing the chance to win more often and bigger amounts.
The jackpot potential of slot games can also be expressed in RTP percentages, whereby slots with a lower RTP usually fall into the ‘high variance’ category. If you’re chasing an enormous top prize, your best chance of finding it is on a slot machine with low RTP.
My Experience with Jackpot 6000 slot
At first glance, Jackpot 6000 comes across as a very basic slot lacking special features. However, beneath its retro fruit machine exterior lies an exciting game with the potential for big wins. I first discovered Jackpot 6000 while looking for classic slots with high RTP. The 98.9% RTP in super meter mode immediately caught my attention.
Once I started playing, it became apparent why this slot has remained popular for over 20 years. The oranges, lemons, cherries, bars, and bells transport you back to the pure basics of slot play. Yet despite the old-school vibe, the graphics are crisp and the animations slick. Clear betting options, stats, and rules make everything easily understandable.
Jackpot 6000 really shines in super meter mode where your wins get locked in and you spin again for bigger prizes. Here the RTP reaches dizzying heights, getting closer and closer to 100% as your locked-in wins increase. Super meter mode adds huge anticipation – when it finally triggers, the room starts spinning as the reels blur into overdrive. Most times it results in a modest win to cash out, but occasionally it explodes into the mega 6000-coin jackpot.
The main weakness is it can feel repetitive over long sessions without bonus rounds to mix things up. Occasional dead spins leave you itching for action. And while super meter mode brings excitement, it is stingy about when it actually arrives. Yet somehow Jackpot 6000 always lures me back to spin its hypnotic reels once more. Maybe this time those oranges will line up perfectly and trigger the elusive jackpot. For me, it’s this thrill of chasing old-fashioned slot glory that makes up for any shortcomings.