What RTP means in dollars
Stake $1 a spin for 500 spins on a 96% slot and you have staked $500. The expected loss is $20. On a 94% version of the same slot, it is $30. Your actual result will be far from either, but over many sessions the gap adds up.
One slot, several RTPs
Many studios release a slot in several RTP settings, for example 96%, 94% and 92%, and the casino picks which to run. The game looks identical. The only way to know is to open the info or help screen inside the game at that casino.
RTP and volatility
Volatility describes how wins are spread. Low-volatility slots pay often and small; high-volatility slots pay rarely and big. Two games with 96% RTP can feel nothing alike, so pick volatility to suit your budget.
RTP and bonuses
A bonus does not change a game's RTP, but RTP decides what clearing it costs. A $100 bonus at 35x means $3,500 in bets: about $140 lost at 96%, $210 at 94%. Our bonus guide works through more examples.
Myths
- A high RTP guarantees wins: it does not; it is a long-run average.
- A slot is due to pay: every spin is independent.
- Casinos cannot change RTP: they cannot alter a running game, but they do choose which RTP version to offer.