The Return to Player (RTP) rate is a key concept in online casino games, indicating the percentage of wagered money a game pays back to players over time. Online casinos offer a wide range of slot and table games with varying RTP percentages.
Understanding RTP helps players make informed decisions when choosing online casino games and is crucial in managing expectations and bankrolls, especially with online slot games.
In general, players use RTPs to select games with higher payout rates and better odds.
RTP stands for Return to Player rate, representing the average payout percentage of a casino game. Essentially, it's an indication of the odds that you're playing with versus the house edge. A high RTP means a higher percentage of wagered money is returned to players over time.
RTP is calculated over hundreds of thousands or millions of spins, providing a theoretical average payout rate. Online slot games with high RTP offer better chances of winning and more frequent payouts.
However, RTP does not guarantee a player's individual success at a casino game by any margin; rather, it is an indication of a casino game's overall fairness and aims to be a means of transparency regarding an individual casino game's odds and the advantage that a casino site has over a player (this is known as the house edge).
You'll be familiar with the phrase "The house always wins", and this is in reference to the house edge. For any casino to work, the odds must always be in its favour.
The house edge is the percentage of money wagered that is guaranteed to be retained by the casino. So, for example, if you have a casino game with an RTP of 97% for every €100 wagered on that game, €3 of it will go to the casino and not back to the player pool.
It stands to reason that the lower the house edge, the better chances a player has at seeing a win.
Online casino games use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair and random outcomes in slot games. The RTP and volatility of any given casino game or slot machine is calculated based on the performance and outcomes of these Random Number Generators.
This is done by calculating the average payout percentage of an online casino game over an extended period of time.
The RTP percentage is determined by the game developer and is tested by independent auditing boards such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs.
These independent auditors offer a neutral and unbiased assessment to ensure the fairness and transparency of slot machines and other casino games by verifying that the Random Number Generator is truly random while allowing for player wins.
Casino games cannot be offered to the public or sold to online casinos until the software developer has had their game audited by these independent testers.
While not a requirement for casino operators, the best online casinos will often get their games tested by these same independent auditors as a show of good faith and legitimacy.
Players will be able to see certificates from these auditors on the casino homepage and know that the games have been tested and approved based on their fairness.
Understanding how RTP works helps players make informed decisions about their gaming choices. You aren't going to want to play an online casino game if the odds aren't good and players will always consider a slot machine's RTP before spending their money on it.
The average RTP varies across different casino games, including slots, roulette, and blackjack. Players can choose games with higher RTP percentages to maximise their chances of winning, and this informs what types of games many players gamble on online.
Again, we should remind you that it doesn't guarantee you'll win more frequently on any given game. However, it does indicate whether or not you're playing with better odds. Conversely, many players use RTP to help point out games they should avoid.
If the RTP is too low, it's likely not worth playing with the exception of progressive jackpots, as the high potential win balances out the negatives of playing at lower RTPs.
Although they might look like two sides of the same coin, RTP and house edge are not identical. RTP refers to the average amount players receive back from their wagers, while house edge is the percentage the casino keeps over the long term. Together, they always add up to 100%.
For example, a slot with a 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. This means that over millions of spins, the casino expects to keep 4% of all bets placed, while players collectively receive back 96% in winnings. Understanding both figures helps players make smarter choices when comparing games.
One of the biggest misconceptions about RTP is that it applies to a single playing session. In reality, RTP is calculated over hundreds of thousands or even millions of game rounds. While a slot may advertise a 96% RTP, this doesn’t guarantee you’ll win €96 from every €100 wagered in one sitting.
Instead, RTP should be seen as a long-term average. In the short term, results vary dramatically — you could lose your bankroll quickly or hit a huge jackpot. Over time, though, the results gradually align with the RTP percentage. Knowing this helps players set realistic expectations before they start playing.
Online slots can be classified into different categories based on their return to player percentage, such as high RTP slots, low RTP slots, and progressive jackpot slots.
High RTP games offer higher payout rates and better odds, often above 96%. Low RTP games have less favourable payout rates, often below 94%, but in the case of progressive jackpots, this is counterbalanced by the massive potential wins offered by the game.
Generally, players will avoid playing on low RTP slots unless they are progressive jackpots. Without the trade-off of the large jackpot, there really isn't any sense in players spending their time on low RTP slots.
Medium RTP slots sit between 94% and 96% which is what you can consider a good average for a slot.
The most well-known high RTP slot is Bloodsuckers, which has famously sat at 98% RTP at most online casino sites until an updated version was released to casino sites with the option to offer the game at 94% which caused no small amount of uproar among online slots players.
However, there is another popular online slot with an even better return to player percentage. 1429 Uncharted Seas is a swashbuckling Age of Exploration inspired slot game with an RTP of 98.5% making it one of the best slot games to play in terms of payout rate. It's rare to find at most online casinos in Ireland, but you can play at bet365 Games.
Understanding how RTP is calculated helps players appreciate the complexity of online slot games.
A good RTP is essential for players who want to maximize their chances of winning and minimize their losses.
High RTP games offer better value for players, as they provide more frequent payouts and higher payout rates.
Online casinos with high RTP games attract more players and provide a better gaming experience.
Players should prioritise RTP when choosing online slot games, as it directly impacts their chances of winning.
A good RTP can make a significant difference in the long run, helping players achieve their gaming goals.
Uncharted Seas 1429 has one of the highest return to player rates of any online slot machine.
Finding the highest RTP slots requires a little research and patience, but understandably, if you are an online slots player, you want to be playing with the best odds possible.
As we have mentioned, it's easy to find out the RTPs of every slot game at our online casinos, but unfortunately, there is no function to search games by RTP at any casino site on the internet.
Here's a list of our top ten highest RTP slots available at our casino sites:
RTP affects the payout rate, frequency, and size of winnings in slot games. High RTP games tend to have lower volatility, providing more frequent but smaller payouts.
Low RTP games often have higher volatility, offering bigger but less frequent payouts. RTP influences the house edge, which is the casino’s mathematical advantage in a game.
Understanding how RTP affects slot games helps players make informed decisions about their gaming choices.
In addition to slot RTP, there is another factor which you should take into consideration when figuring out the likely frequency of an online slot's payouts. Volatility. A high volatility game will offer larger but less frequent payouts. On the other side of things, low volatility slots offer smaller but more frequent wins.
One is not necessarily better than the other, and depending on the type of player you are, you will find yourself preferring one over the other.
There is risk involved in either scenario, and while many players might prefer high volatility for the chance at larger payouts, just as many players find that low volatility is much more favourable to longer playing sessions.
Sites like Boylesports online casino are particularly good for sharing this information upfront to players so you can browse the games at your leisure without having to click on them.
If you can't see the RTP clearly stated anywhere on the site page, you can always load up the game and check in the in-game information page for the return to player percentage.
If you cannot find the RTP information either on the site or in-game, then we don't recommend that you play the casino game. Information regarding game RTP and volatility should be clearly visible, and all of our recommended sites display and show the RTP of their games to their players.
Transparency around game payout rates is a clear indicator of a casino site's legitimacy and reliability. Never play anywhere where this information isn't readily available.
At Irishracing.com we pride ourselves on our dedication to responsible gambling by encouraging a healthy relationship to online casino gambling, as with any other form of entertainment.
This is why we must reiterate that while RTP is a clear and transparent indicator of a game's fairness, it by no means guarantees any personal increased levels of success.
As with any game of chance, luck is always involved, and while understanding RTP can help you make decisions that mitigate risk even with the best odds in the world, there are always risks involved when you gamble real money.
That's why we urge our players to set limits, take breaks, and prioritise their well-being. Exercise good judgment and try to RTP more as an indicator of a casino's transparency and legitimacy, more than something that will significantly alter your chances of winning.
RTP is a critical concept in online slot games, and players should understand its impact on their gaming experience.
Players can choose games with higher RTP percentages to wager using better odds compared to the house edge.
Online casinos provide a wide range of games with varying RTP percentages, catering to different player preferences.
By understanding RTP and its impact on slot games, players can make informed decisions and enjoy a safe and responsible gaming experience.
Mark has written extensively for the iGaming industry, covering topics including casino reviews, how-to-play guides, and articles on gambling regulation and responsible gambling practices. He is passionate about the Irish casino market, constantly searching for the best online casinos and games to offer our readers. Check out his recent articles like our blackjack cheat sheet for his expert know-how on Irish online casinos.
