What is RTP When Playing at Slot Machines?

This is what some slots players use to pick a machine

RTP stands for return to player and is a type of metric every slot machine needs to have. Explained with as few words as possible, the RTP shows how much money you will get back on your every bet, i.e how many percentages of your wagered amount returns to the player.

It is hardest, though, to clearly measure it with the chances of winning at any slot machine, since this is a total average measured by thousands of games played.

So if you have an RTP at 96% (which is common) and you would bet £100, it wouldn’t always get a return of £96. That’s maybe how it would work in theory – but if it would work like this for every depositing customer, who would want to play at all?

As mentioned, the RTP is calculated over a huge number of spins at a slot machine – so it would be impossible for you to in any way notice the RTP of a slot. You could lose everything of your wagered £100 and in this case your RTP is 0%, but you could also win another £100 and in this case your RTP is 200%.

Is it important to know about the slot’s RTP?

Some players are using the RTP as a sole metric to find a slot machine to play at. Also to measure the amount wagered. If the RTP is higher, well of course the win chance is higher – in theory.

You could still lose it all and you could still win a lot, no matter at what RTP you are playing at. So if you would’t want the RTP of any given slot justice, you would have to play tens of thousands of games.

In conclusion, the RTP doesn’t say anything about how you would do in one or a couple of spins but a statistic made by the slot machine provider to show the players that they are keeping track of the win margins and that everything is fair and transparent.

You will find the RTP in the slots help section. Depending on in what country you are playing in, there are different rules on how the casinos have to display the RTP.

For example, the uk have a very strict license given by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), meaning that the RTP has to be clear and visible as well as undergo a lot of frequent checks in order to see that it is correct. Here is a list of UK slots with high RTP that is carefully measured in order to be compliant with all the demands set out by different online casino licenses.

The RTP is not set by the casino, meaning that a player don’t have to worry about a casino trying to scam their player. The casino is only responsible for the proper displaying of the RTP. It is the game provider that is responsible for the RTP to be correctly measured. As shown at the game providers websites, every new slot from NetEnts, who is a game provider, shows the RTP clearly to any visiting customer.

Conclusion – Should You Care about the RTP?

Our answer is no. The difference in games with a higher RTP compared to those with a lower one is so small that it would be impossible for you to ever notice. However, playing at slots with an RTP of at least 96% is something I usually recommend. And there is no such thing as a best online slot. I don’t know why but I use it as a rule of thumb. I like to find slots that are intriguing to me as a player and that I would want to spend my money and time on. I love themed slots like Jumanji and Vikings and slots where you can climb many levels in order to activate bigger free spins bonuses.

What you choose is up to you – but don’t stare blindly at the RTP because it will only take the fun out of playing at slot machines.

I hope this article has helped you somewhat and that you might feel some relief that the RTP isn’t as big of a deal that some people make it out to be! Thank you for reading