If you’re a newbie to online gaming, getting to perfectly understand how casino RTP works can be quite challenging, especially with so much jargon and conflicting information floating around on the internet as well as on gaming forums.
Simply put, RTP means Return to Players and usually refers to the percentage of the total wagered money that a casino game is designed to pay back over time. In the later parts of this guide, we’ll break down how RTP works, why it matters, and how you can use it to make smarter playing choices. Keep reading for more!
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What is RTP, and how does it work?
Based on our conversations with players, many of them don’t really know what RTP is or how it works. Because of that, they have just been spinning their favorite slot games at online casinos without having an idea of what happens behind the screen, which is pretty common, and honestly, nothing to feel bad about. Like we said above, RTP means Return to Player.
It’s a percentage that shows how much money a game is theoretically designed to pay back to players over time. For instance, if a game comes with a 96% RTP, it means that in the long run, the game returns an average of $96 for every $100 wagered. However, contrary to popular opinions, this doesn’t mean you’ll get back that money in a single session, but rather across thousands or even millions of spins.
You may be wondering, what happens to the $4 in our example? Well, that’s the house edge. In case you don’t know, the house edge is the online casino’s built-in advantage, representing the percentage of each bet the casino is expected to keep as profit over time. So, in this case, a 96% RTP means that the house edge is 4%. This is basically how US online casinos make money while still providing games that are fair and fun to play.
Another important thing to understand is that RTP is based on long-term results and not short outcomes. You could win big in just a few spins or lose quickly, regardless of a game’s RTP. In case you don’t know, other factors like volatility, betting size, and chance play a major role in how a game feels while you’re playing. That said, choosing games with higher RTP generally gives you better value over time and can help stretch your bankroll further. So at the end, while RTP doesn’t guarantee wins, understanding it helps you make smarter decisions when playing.
How is RTP calculated?
Calculating RTP is not really a big deal. It is done using millions or billions of simulated game rounds. Through these simulations, developers get an idea of how much money the game is expected to return to player overtime compared to how much is wagered. To perfectly understand this, we need to get our hands dirty in a little math.
RTP = (Total amount returned to players/ Total wager amount) x 100
So, based on the above formula, if the developers’ simulations show that their overall winnings are $9,600 after placing $10,000 worth of bet on a particular game, the RTP will be calculated as follows: RTP = ($10,000/$9600) X 100 = 96%. You see that it’s not really hard? This means that over time, the game is designed to return an average of $96 for every $100 wagered, while the remaining $4 represents the house edge.
Again, this does not mean that every session of the particular game will follow this exact pattern. The RTP is just meant to give you an idea of what to expect and not what you’ll win exactly, so don’t get that twisted.
So, what is house edge?
To perfectly understand RTP and how it works, we think it’s wise to give you a quick rundown of what house edge is. Simply put, the house edge is the flip side of the RTP. While RTP tells you about how much a game is designed to pay back to players overtime, the house edge shows how much the casino keeps as profit. So, if for instance a slot game has 95% RTP, it means that the house edge on that particular title is 5% of every wagered amount.
As usual, this 5% is built into the game’s rules, ensuring that the online casino makes money while giving players access to games. Understandably, games with a lower house edge tend to offer better value over time, meaning your betting balance can last longer while your chances of winning remain slightly higher.
Let’s quickly compare RTP vs. House edge
Before proceeding to other sections, let’s compare RTP with house edge in the following table using popular slot games as examples:
| Slot title | RTP | House edge | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duel at Dawn | 96.30% | 3.7% | Fair house edge |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | 96.38% | 3.62% | Fair house edge |
| Le Bandit | 96.34% | 3.66% | Fair house edge |
| Duck Hunters | 96.05% | 3.95% | Slightly poor |
| Fortune of Olympus | 96.55% | 3.45% | Fair house edge |
What is volatility?
Like we said earlier, most players that we have interacted with actually think that games with high RTP offer better chances of winning. Well, the truth is, there are lots of other factors that can influence your winning aside from RTP, and one of them is volatility. In case you don’t know, volatility refers to how often a game pays out and how big those payouts usually are. Games with low volatility tend to offer smaller but more frequent wins and vice versa. However, without saying much, let’s explore the different volatility levels that you may come across while playing a real money casino slot:
Low volatility
Games with low volatility are designed to pay out smaller wins more frequently. These games don’t usually offer massive jackpots, but they make up for it with steady action and fewer losing streaks. Because wins happen more, low volatility slots are some of the best options for complete beginners.
Medium volatility
Games with medium volatility strike a balance between frequent wins and larger payouts. You may experience longer gaps between wins compared to low volatility slots, but they tend to be more rewarding when they land. This volatility level seems to be highly preferred by players because it tends to offer stability.
High volatility
High volatility games are widely known for their massive return potential. Most times, it can be so difficult to land wins when playing high volatility slots, as payouts tend to be less frequent and losing streaks can last longer. However, when wins do occur, they are often much larger compared to low or medium volatility games, sometimes even triggering big bonus rounds or jackpots.
Pros and cons of understanding casino RTP
- Helps you choose better games
- Gives you an idea of what to expect from a game
- Helps you avoid low RTP titles
- RTP doesn’t give accurate payout information
Choosing online casinos with high RTP slots in the US: What to look out for
Now that you’re fully aware of the benefits that come with playing high RTP slots, you may want to play some for a first hand experience. However, before signing up for any random site, there’s a few things you’ll need to check out. Here are some of them:
Look for licensing
This is one of the first things to look out for before hitting that sign up button. Ensure to check if the site you wish to sign up for is legally permitted to operate in your state of residence. To do this, you can scroll down to the bottom of the site for information about its license. You can also reach out to its customer support unit for more information.
Check its game collections
Before proceeding with the sign up process, ensure to check if the site offers your type of preferred games with high RTPs. Thankfully, most of the sites that we recommend on this guide come with games featuring high RTPs, all sourced from reputable game providers.
Look out for bonus offers
Bonuses are very important because they are designed to give you more play time for free. So, before registering, check to see if your preferred site offers generous welcome offers. Don’t forget to also check for the terms and conditions attached to them before proceeding. You can also check to see if it has other generous on-site bonuses for regular players.
Getting started at a US online casino with high RTP games
If you feel following all the tips that we listed above are hard, you don’t have to worry, as we have recommended some reputable sites that you can sign up for on the banners of this page. Fortunately, their registration processes are pretty straightforward, so you can expect to be done in a matter of minutes. When you’re ready, you can follow the simple steps below:
- Hit any of the banners on this page
- Start the sign up process by providing all the required details
- Verify your email address and phone number
- Complete your identity verification
- Make a deposit and head to the lobby
- Choose a game and load it up
- Make necessary settings and start playing
However, during your registration, ensure to provide real details, including name and address, as appeared on your government-issued ID card. This makes it possible for your account to be verified without any issues.
Our final take on casino RTPs and how they work
In conclusion, understanding RTP is one of the most valuable mental assets a player can have, especially when playing on any of the US online casinos. While RTP doesn’t guarantee short term or long-term wins, it gives you a clear idea of how much a game is likely to return over time. However, aside from RTP other factors like house edge and volatility also play their various roles when it comes to when and what you win during gameplay.
Thankfully, we have done justice by explaining them in detail in the earlier sections of this guide. So, now that you fully understand what RTP is and how it works, we are not sure if there’s anything stopping you from starting your online casino journey. If you’re ready to roll, you can create an account by tapping any of the operator’s banners on this guide.
Casino RTP FAQs
What does RTP mean?
RTP stands for Return to Players. It is a percentage that shows how much a game is designed to pay back to players over time.
Does a high RTP guarantee I will win?
Not really. High RTP doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win during gameplay. It is just a percentage showing a long term statistical average of how much you can win in a game over time and not assurance of winning.
How is RTP different from house edge?
RTP tells you how much a game returns to the player over time, while house edge shows how much the online casino keeps as profit.
