Online Casino Game RTP (Return to Player): What it Means and How to Use It
Whether you are a casual or an ardent player on licensed and regulated online casino sites then you most certainly have come across the term RTP. If you’ve ever wondered what this term means and its role in the game you are playing, then spare a few minutes to find out what it’s all about. We’ll disclose what exactly RTP means and how it influences your gambling experiences in whichever games you choose to play.
What is Return to Player?
RTP in full stands for Return to Player, and it is a critical factor that gamblers must consider when deciding the next casino title they want to play. Usually expressed as a percentage, it is the amount a casino game pays back to its players over a large number of spins. For example, a slot game with an RTP of 98% will give back $98 for every $100 spent by the players. That means the $2 that remains will go to the casino, which places the house edge at just 2%.
Once again, it is vital to grasp that this number is usually calculated over tons of spins, often spanning into millions. So, if, for instance, you only spin a couple of times in a day, many different outcomes can be derived from these spins. This makes online casino games interesting – the mystery of the outcomes and their randomness.
How is RTP Calculated?
Calculating a casino game’s RTP isn’t rocket science. You can get it by dividing the total amount won by the total amount wagered by the gamblers. So, for instance, if you won $100 from a total wager of $200, then your RTP for that specific gaming session would be 50%.
Well, while this simple analogy describes how to come up with this concept in gambling games, it is a little more complex than that. In the real sense, Return to Player is calculated based on computer algorithms that factor in millions of gameplay rounds in a short space of time. Essentially, the algorithms conduct a massive volume of gameplay simulations to mirror a gaming scenario that mimics participation by many people over a more extended period.
It’s also worth noting that each spin uses Random Number Generator (RNG) software which guarantees that the results are 100% random. Furthermore, using RNG in the games ensures that the RTP is accurate, as it gives zero room for predicting the subsequent outcome of the game. Therefore, there is an assurance of fairness for players who participate in the games.
Variance and RTP
Return to Player is often confused with variance or volatility. While these two gaming concepts are related, they are very different. While RTP focuses on your overall win rate, volatility dictates the average size of wins you will garner in casino games and how often you earn the wins in the first place. Like Return to Player, volatility varies from one casino game to another, and it is usually measured as low, medium, or high. Here’s a highlight of the different volatility levels you’ll encounter in your gambling escapades and what they mean to the game.
| Volatility | Frequency of Wins | Size of the Wins | Types of Players Suited for the Game |
| Low | High | Small | Favorable for low-risk, low-reward players |
| Medium | Average | Average | Favorable for average risk, average returns players |
| High | Low | Big | Favorable for high-risk, high-reward players |
How to Identify Casino Games with Good RTP
As you have seen, casino titles RTP isn’t merely a concept drawn on luck. Rather, it is way more structured and hinged on the total number of wins compared to the stakes that gamblers place. Ideally, the Return to Player is meant to guide you in the slot game you should choose. So, which criteria do you use to find a casino game with a good Return to Player?
For starters, you’ll find that this data is usually indicated within the game’s information section or in the casino lobby. That way, it is easier for you to decide whether the game will be worth your while before you jump into action. Moreover, as a beginner in a specific title, you should also look for insights from slightly more experienced players to see what they say about a particular game’s RTP and how often it pays out.
Always Go For Games With Higher RTPs
As a rule of thumb, the higher the RTP of a casino game, the higher your chances of turning your wagers into profit. So, if, for example, you are choosing between two slots where one has a 94% RTP and the other has 97%, you should obviously go for the game with a higher one for better-winning potential. Take advantage of higher Return to Player percentages to have lots of gaming fun and enjoy better payout collection opportunities!