Exploring Casino RTP: The Lowdown on Return to Player

Author Jouni
August 16, 20226 min read
by

There are a few things you should really know when it comes to varying RTPs. Not all online slots offer the same odds of winning, and this post aims to delve into that! Keep reading to learn how RTP—short for Return to Player—can influence your chances of success when gambling online.

The world of online casinos is quite a fascinating experience. On the flip side, it can also be a bit tricky at times.

We consistently make it a point on this site to stress that online casino gaming is mostly about luck . There isn't any way to twist slots into paying out cash, nor is there a specific skill to master that dramatically improves your odds.

Online casino slots pretty much boil down to the randomness of a dice roll. Your outcome, whether it's a fortunate 6 or an unlucky 1, is entirely at the mercy of Lady Luck.

RTP in a nutshell

This isn't my first time discussing the idea of RTP in gambling on this site, but it's certainly a topic worth repeating.

Casino RTP is a familiar term in the gambling world, short for ”return to player”. Essentially, it represents a percentage that tells us how much a game returns to its players over extensive play sessions.

  • When RTP is pegged at 0%, it implies that winning any money from that particular slot is utterly impossible.
  • Conversely, if the RTP is set at 100%, it means the game gives back as much as it collects.

What's intriguing about RTP is that it only truly makes sense in the long term. Imagine a slot with a 100% RTP—it might still have high volatility and hardly payout. Consider this purely imaginative scenario:

  • Game X requires a £1 bet per spin.
  • There is a 1 in 100 chance to win £100.
  • There is a 99 in 100 chance to lose your bet.

Even with an RTP of 100%, there are no guarantees attached—it's not a promise of winning on every spin, nor does it assure reclaiming your money after 100 spins.

Picture probabilities where winning chances stand at 1 in 10,000, with the prize being a substantial £10,000. It suggests you're almost certain to lose during quick play, yet persistence over time might just tip the scales in your favor.

Typically, modern online casino slots offer an RTP of roughly 96% , though achieving these figures isn't as straightforward as it might seem.

Often, casino RTP is built up from various levels of wins, spanning from smaller to substantial victories. After all, a slot offering a win only 1 out of 100 times isn't going to grab much player attention!

RTP patterns vary — three key aspects to consider

Next, I'll delve into the crux of what this article addresses.

Having unpacked the concept of casino RTP, it's now time to explore deeper, better-informed strategies for maximizing your online casino endeavors.

  1. 1 Each game has its own RTP

    Firstly, every slot online sports its own unique RTP. Though a game might look enticing in the casino lobby, the odds could be quite different than expected.

    Generally, it's savvy to choose games with higher RTPs as, within reason, this ups your winning potential.

    Most games reveal their RTP within their help or instruction manuals.

    In the past, I had a fondness for ELK Studios games before noticing their RTPs generally trailed those of their competitors. While mainstream companies aim for around a 96% casino RTP, ELK seems to aim for nearer to 95%. It's a slight difference, but enough to cool my affection for their games.

    My insights on ELK left me perceiving them as a bit sneaky, perhaps slanting things for their profit. Call it my bias, but that's my current sentiment.

  2. 2 Volatility is also important

    As mentioned before, RTP isn't the singular metric to gauge for optimal online casino success. It's also wise to consider elements like volatility and variance.

    If a slot's volatility is notably high, winning won't be frequent even if RTP seems favorable. On the upside, these games provide the thrill of potentially life-changing wins!

    With more experience in slots, I've leaned towards high-volatility games more frequently. While small wins might only stir the desire for more, big wins can indeed make a significant difference in one's life. Sure, an extra £100 could get you the latest game console, but £10,000 could change your life overnight!

  3. 3 Variations in RTP can even occur between different versions of the same slot.

    The third aspect is actually my main drive for writing this piece. Many might not realize that casinos usually influence the RTP settings of their slots.

    In the past, I'm unsure if this was widespread, but currently, online casinos frequently possess multiple versions of newer slots. These variations are then selected by casinos according to preference. Frustratingly, casinos rarely publicize a slot's RTP, making the instruction manual your go-to for such details.

    Play’n GO’s immensely popular slot, Book of Dead, highlights RTP variations starkly. Its highest version boasts a 96.21% RTP, while the lowest scrapes by at just 84.18%! These drastic differences definitely influence real winning odds!

Notable game providers with varying RTP versions

As previously noted, discovering that ELK Studios often produces 95% RTP slots cooled my enthusiasm for their releases. Yet, every slot provider views RTP differently. For them, settling on an RTP is crucial; it's the backbone of how they design their winning mechanics.

Next, I'll explore how leading game providers handle RTP discrepancies.

  1. NetEnt

NetEnt was among the pioneers during the online casino boom. Their games like Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Aloha Cluster Pays, and Twin Spin are landmarks in online gaming catalogs.

With its extensive history, this Swedish powerhouse has had ample opportunity to evolve. Typically, NetEnt's classic slots maintain consistent RTPs, while newer titles come in multiple versions. Notably, since 2020, even the stable Starburst has seen RTPs drop as low as 90.05%, compared to its longtime standing of 96.09%.

  1. Quickspin

Quickspin is another provider with long-standing roots. During their tenure, they've rolled out well-liked games including Big Bad Wolf, Spinions, Goldilocks, The Wild Chase, Mayana, and Sakura Fortune.

Much like NetEnt, Quickspin was once known for steadfast RTPs no matter the venue. Sadly, this has changed as many popular slots have seen RTP cuts, sometimes slashing as much as 6 percentage points.

More studios embracing diverse RTPs

While older casino companies have retrofitted their slots with altered RTPs, newer firms have done so from the get-go. Rather than detailing every provider, here are a few you should approach with care:

(Click a company name to read more about them)

Noteworthy providers with steady RTPs

Fortunately, not all is lost as a handful of slot developers have chosen transparency, consistently maintaining the same casino RTPs across platforms. Although this consistency might be threatened, it's currently reassuring.

Based on my evaluations, here are a few noteworthy brands which retain uniform RTPs:

Encounter these names in a casino, and you can rest easy knowing the playing field's level. (Unless, of course, they've decided to join the ranks of studios altering RTPs post-launch!)

Conclusion

Several factors motivate game studios to offer multiple slot versions.

Every casino game appearance involves some arrangement between the partnering entities. Some casinos might opt for lower RTP slots, as they make for better long-term gains. This strategy is especially favored where public knowledge of RTPs is minimal.

We trust this article clarifies RTP's role in casino gaming. Understanding RTP is vital if you want to enhance your chances at casino success. By selecting high-RTP games, you increase odds of long-term profits. While no outcome is guaranteed, leveraging RTP insights equips you with a better shot at success.

We at galacticwins-24.com Our goal is to be your top choice for everything related to online casinos. We are fully dedicated to equipping you with the information that will not only save you money but also elevate your casino experience to its highest potential.

Don't overlook the importance of Return to Player (RTP) percentages. Always opt for games that ensure you get the most value for your money!

Author Jouni

Author

Jouni

517 articles

Jouni, hailing from Finland, is a journalist seasoned in various types of writing. Whether it’s critiquing video games, dissecting films, or delving into online casino articles, this media aficionado thrives on creativity and expression. With years of experience contributing to multiple gaming outlets, Jouni possesses in-depth knowledge of online casinos and games, making him an ideal expert to evaluate and review gaming websites. Beyond his interests in online casinos and sports betting, Jouni is passionate about Eurovision, professional wrestling, and the television show Survivor.
return to player guide