The definition
RTP stands for return to player. It is the percentage of all money wagered on a game that the game is designed to pay back over a very large number of spins, typically millions. A slot with 96.50% RTP returns $96.50 for every $100 staked, in the long run, and keeps $3.50. That $3.50 is the house edge.
It is a design statistic, not a promise about your session. Over 200 spins you might win $80 or lose $80. The same game, played the same way, can give very different nights. RTP will only help you to compare price, not to predict outcome.
RTP in dollars
| Listed RTP | Returned per $100 | Kept per $100 | Average cost of a $100 session |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96.00% | $96.00 | $4.00 | $4.00 |
| 96.50% | $96.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| 96.71% | $96.71 | $3.29 | $3.29 |
| 97.00% | $97.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
The difference between 96% and 97% is a dollar per $100 wagered. For a $50 evening with 100 spins at $0.50, that is about 50 cents. Choose your slot for how it plays first and use RTP as a tiebreaker.
Why the figure on the box may not be yours
Providers can certify more than one RTP version for a game, and casinos choose which to run. The figure on the provider's page is a listed value. The value at your casino may be the same or lower. Always check the game's information screen, usually under a menu or an i icon, for the number that applies. If you cannot find it, ask support; a casino should be able to tell you.
What RTP does not tell you
- How often you win. That is hit frequency.
- How big the wins are. That is volatility; see our volatility guide.
- What a bonus feature adds. It is included in the figure, but you may wait a long time for it.
- Whether a game is fair. Fairness is a matter of certification and licensing.
How to use RTP when choosing
- Pick two or three slots whose mechanics you like.
- Find each one's listed RTP on the provider page (our comparison has them).
- Check the version at your casino.
- Choose the lower-cost option if everything else is equal.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you play, because a lower average cost does not mean a lower chance to lose.
A worked example
You play The Dog House at a listed 96.51%, 150 spins at $0.40, a total wager of $60. The game is designed to return about $57.91 on average, which means a cost of about $2.09. Your real result could be anywhere from a loss of $50 to a win of $100, because a few spins in the feature dominate. If you play the same stake on Sugar Rush 1000 (listed 96.00%), the average cost is $2.40. That is 31 cents more across the evening. Notice how small the price difference is next to the swing in a single result.
Check the offer terms on the casino's page. 19+ in most provinces (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec). Play responsibly.
RTP questions
Does a higher RTP mean I will win more?
Not in a given session. It means the game keeps less on average over a huge number of spins.
Can a casino lower the RTP?
Casinos can choose among certified versions of a game. Check the in-game information screen.
Is RTP the same as hit frequency?
No. Hit frequency is how often a spin pays anything.
Do bonuses change RTP?
A bonus does not change the game's RTP, though wagering rules change the cost of using it.
What is a good RTP?
Listed RTPs for popular slots are typically in the mid-90s to just over 97%. Above 96% is usual for the games we cover.
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