What is RTP?
RTP, known in full as Return to Player, is a percentage that represents the average amount of money that a casino game is likely to payout to players over an extended period. However, RTP is not a precise science. Hence, the use of the word “average.” This means that there is no specific amount of time or an exact number of spins you have to play to get the sum. RTP is typically presented as a percentage.
The best way to define RTP is using an example. So, check out the example below: Assume that a specific casino game has a 97% RTP. This implies that if you wager $1 on this game, you will likely get back (96% of $1), which is $0.96.
From the example above, you can deduce that a high RTP means a higher pay return, and vice versa. However, there is no game that has an RTP of 100%, because of the house edge.
How Does RTP Work in Online Casinos and How Is It Affected?
In online casino gaming, the RTP usually differs from one game to another. This is because several factors influence RTP. From the developer of the game, the specific casino, and other factors. Below are some factors that affect RTP in online casino gaming
Game Gesign
The design of casino games is heavily influenced by their intended RTPs. When designing casino games, developers have to pay keen attention to the payout structure, as well as other factors like winning combinations, and overall game mechanics. All these elements also play a significant role in determining the RTP for a game, while making sure that the game remains engaging and 100% fair. You should note that game design and game variety differ. The next chapter will discuss the influence of game variety on RTP.
Software Providers
The software provider behind a casino game also determines its RTP. Naturally, the software provider is incharge of the game design. So, when it comes to elements like determining the winning combinations, payout structures, other game mechanics, and even RTP, software providers have a lot of say. This is why you will often find that games from a specific software provider have a higher RTP than others. However, software providers also have to take the design of the game into account when determining the mechanics and RTPs.
Game Variants
One of the key factors that affect how RTP works is the game variant of type. This is why you will find that table games have different RTPs compared to online slots. For instance, slot games typically have a wider range of RTPs (normally between 90% to 98%), while table games often have higher RTPs (can go as high as 99%), depending on the variant. Other game variants and types like live dealer ones and video poker also often have different RTPs.
Jackpots and Bonuses
Regular casino bonuses and large offers such as progressive jackpot slots also have a significant role to play when it comes to determining or driving RTP. Normally, you will find that games with high RTPs offer lesser bonuses than the latter. This is because the casino still has to make money from the games. So, if the RTP is high and there are still bonuses associated to a specific game, then the casino will end up making almost nothing from the game.
House Edge
House edge refers to the advantage that the casino has over a player in the course of a specific game plays. A lot of players confuse house edge and game RTP. This is because these terms are intertwined. In fact, these terms mean the opposite of each other. RTP is about what players get, while house edge is about what the casino games. So, when determining RTPs for specific games, casino have to take the house edge into account. This is why you will never find a game with a 100% RTP. At the end of the day, the casino has to earn revenue from its operations and house edge makes this possible. In a nutshell, RTP and house edge complete each other in calculating how much you are likely to win and what the casino keeps. So, when the two are added together, they equal 100%.
There are differences in how RTP is handled in social and real money casinos. Check out our article here to know more.
Why is RTP Important to the Player?
Understanding RTP is very important just as the RTP itself. It allows you to know what to expect from a casino game in the long run. Below are key benefits of understanding RTP as a casino player for their playing session:
Informed Decision Making
Understanding and knowing the RTP of a game gives you a significant advantage when it comes to decision making. For instance, you can choose the particular slot game you should play based on this information. Higher RTP games and slot machines generally give you a better chance of winning over time. So, when choosing which game to play, going for one with a higher RTP would be a smart move. In addition to choosing games, understanding RTP will also help you with elements like bankroll management. So, before you make gaming decisions, one of the key factors you should consider is the RTP for specific games.
Identifying Fairness
One of the key regulatory requirements of the online casino gaming sector is fairness. However, not all casinos live by these standards for online gambling. Casinos can use technical elements like casino RTP and house edge to confuse clients while being unfair with gaming machine use. So, considering the RTPs for games will help you identify fairness on the side of both the casino and the game providers. A fair platform will offer clients a chance to get back most of their money even if the period is undefined. However, it takes understanding how RTP works and how to calculate it to enjoy this benefit.
Trust and Transparency
Any reliable casino should have an information or help section that features data about games, including the RTPs, which is normally provided by the game developer. The availability of this information is an indicator that the casino is trustworthy because of transparency. Therefore, understanding RTP, will help you to be able to determine if a casino is trustworthy and transparent. Even if the RTP is not favorable, the casino should be transparent about this information so that players can make informed decisions.
Managing Your Bankroll
Furthermore, understanding RTP will help you with bankroll management. As mentioned before, games with higher RTPs tend to pay more over time. This means that they are less volatile (your funds will last longer). This information is very important as it will help you stick to your budget. When you are playing on a budget, choosing a less volatile game will help you maximize your playtime without going overspending.
RTP in relation to Random Number Generation (RNG)
In regulated casino gaming markets, games undergo rigorous testing to make sure that Random Number Generator (RNG) driven products are provided. This makes sure that the games are fair. The application of Random Number Generators helps make sure that the games achieve the designed RTPs or return to players. It is also because of RNG that you cannot determine if the payout expressed as the RTP will be achieved over a specific period. This is why a player may receive back their money (according to the RTP) over 10,000 spins, while another one may do so over 1,000 spins. The randomness of the outcomes of the games is what makes this possible.
High RTP vs Low RTP – Which Should You Choose?
A common misconception about RTP is that high RTP is good while low RTP is bad. It is true that games with higher RTPs mean that you will get back a larger sum of your original wager or investment on a game. On the other hand, lower RTP games offer less favorable payout or odds. However, both low and high RTP games can be enjoyable and potentially lucrative. Remember the element of randomness in casino gaming. So, even if you choose higher RTP games over lower ones, you are not guaranteed to win back your money immediately or over a specified period. You can also find low RTP games with large jackpots and bonuses that make them exciting. All these factors are worth considering when choosing between high and low RTP games.
Using RTP to Choose a Casino
You can use RTP to determine if a casino is worth playing at. For instance, you can identify a fair casino gaming platform from the RTP as it acts as an indicator of the fairness of a game. So, if a casino has several games with great RTPs or an impressive average RTP for all its games, it means that the platform is fair. Also, you can identify the trustworthiness of a platform from RTP. A casino that provides accurate RTP information demonstrates transparency. It also demonstrates a commitment to the protection of its players. This is important information that you can use to determine if a casino is worth playing at.
How to Calculate RTP in Online Casinos
Calculating RTP is actually easy. A transparent casino will give you the specific percentage for you to use to calculate RTP. Let us use an example below to explain how to calculate RTP:
Assume a casino game has an RTP of 98%. If you wager $10 on this game, below is how you calculate the RTP; 98% of $10 = $9.8
On the other hand, if you wager $100 on the same casino game, below is the calculated RTP; 98% of $100 = $98 So, in a nutshell, the formula of calculating RTP is RTP% of the wagered amount.
Responsible Gaming
One of the challenges of gambling is that you can easily get caught up. This is why people have suffered from gambling addiction or gambling-related financial crises. For this reason, responsible gaming is important. A significant element of responsible gaming is bankroll management. You have to make sure you create a gaming budget and stick to it. Understanding RTP and using this information to choose casino games will help you practice responsible gaming by helping you with bankroll management.
Conclusion
RTP is one of the most important factors in casino gaming. It helps you understand what you can get back from playing a specific casino game over an extended (undefined) period. RTP will help you determine the best casino game to play. It will help you choose the right platform to play casino games at. Furthermore, it will help you with responsible gaming.
Want to know more? Check out our blog section! We have new articles regularly such as the history of Casino games.
Return To Player FAQ
What does RTP mean in online gaming?
RTP, known in full as Return to Player, is a percentage that shows the average amount of money you will get back from playing a specific casino game over an unspecified extended period. The amount of time or number of spins it will take for you to get back the money is undefined.
How is RTP calculated?
RTP is calculated by multiplying the percentage provided as the Return to Player by the amount you put on a game. For example, if a game has a 99% RTP and you wager $100, then the RTP is 99% X $100, which is $99.
Does a higher RTP guarantee winnings?
A higher RTP does not guarantee any winnings. At the end of the day, you have to remember that casino game outcomes are completely random because of the use of Random Number Generators. RNGs determine the winning combinations of a game. This means that the RTP has no role when it comes to determining when or whether you win a game.
What is a good RTP for an online casino game?
Any RTP that is above 90% is impressive. However, you should know that the RTPs for games usually differ depending on the software provider, game design, and even the game variety. So, you can easily find a casino with RTP ranging from 70% to 99%.
Is RTP the same for every player?
Yes, the RTP is the same for every player at an online casino. This is because the casino and the software provider determine the RTPs for each game, which are corporate for all players. However, it can be different for every game on the same platform.
