Slots RTP Explained: Everything You Need To Know About Return To Player

If you’ve been playing slots, you’ve probably heard of a few terms. One of these is RTP and is one of the most important aspects when it comes to slot games. Don’t worry, by the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll be a true RTP expert. So let’s not waste any more time and get right to it!

What Is a Slot RTP?

RTP stands for Return To Player represents the amount of money a slot will pay back to its players over a huge number of spins. Usually, the RTP is expressed as a percentage. 

To better understand this percentage, here’s a simple example:

• A slot has 95% RTP;

• You invest $100 in this slot;

• The slot will pay you back $95.

Of course, this amount isn’t quite exact but it’s enough to give you a better idea of how much you can expect to win (or lose) from a slot. 

You should be aware that the RTP is calculated using an enormous number of spins - usually in the millions. So anything can happen in a short session of a couple of hundred spins. 

The best payout slot machines usually come with high RTP. 

Variance vs. RTP: The Differences

Many gamblers make the mistake of confusing the two. While these concepts are closely tied together, they’re not the same thing. Now that you know what the RTP is, we’ll explain the variance. 

A slot’s variance is the way in which the RTP is realized. Variance in slots determines how much you’re going to get paid and how frequent these wins are going to be. There are three levels of variance, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

• High: huge wins that hit very rarely;

• Medium: moderate wins that hit rather often;

• Low: small wins that hit very often.

That’s why you should look at both values when choosing a slot. A high RTP slot will still be a burden on your wallet if it’s coupled with a high variance level. 

Sure, the highest RTP casino slot machines are always the better choice but only when they come with a medium or low level of variance. Unless you have an unlimited bankroll, of course.

RTP and House Edge

The house edge is closely related to the RTP. It’s also known as the casino advantage and is not only specific to slots. It exists in other casino games as well, such as Poker, Craps, Baccarat, or Roulette. 

When it comes to the house edge, this percentage is built directly into the games themselves. The online casino has no influence over this. 

Take a look at the table below to get a better idea of how the house edge differs from game to game:

The higher the house edge of a particular game or slot, the less it will pay out over time. Usually, players go for the games with the lowest house edge. But the ones with the higher house edge can give you some nice wins if you’re lucky enough.

Online Slots vs. Land-Based: Which Games Pay Most?

If you’ve been playing both online slots and land-based ones, you’ve probably reached the conclusion that digital ones pay better. Usually, the gambling world is full of myths and false information but this isn’t the case - online slots do actually pay better than land-based ones.

Most online slots come with an RTP between 94% and 99%, with anything below 96% being considered bad. Land-based slots, on the other hand, are set to return an average of 70% - 90%. A very few of these even go over 92%. 

This isn’t because land-based casinos are part of a greater conspiracy. It’s only due to the fact that brick-and-mortar venues have more things to pay - rent, employees, the actual physical machines, and many more.

Myths About Slots RTP

Over the years, there have been some myths surfacing about slots RTP. Let’s see what are some of the most common:

• Progressive jackpots influence the RTP. In most cases, this is true. Slots with progressive jackpots might display an RTP of 95% but part of it is usually realized using a progressive jackpot. So unless you actually win that jackpot, you’re playing a game with a lower RTP than advertised.

• RTP is irrelevant for one session. This is both true and false. The actual RTP of a slot isn’t likely to be reached in a single session of a couple of hundred spins. Still, a slot with 98% RTP will still pay better than one with 70% RTP.

• Online casinos can influence the RTP. Nothing further from the truth. In fact, the casinos themselves don’t even own the slots you’re playing. The ones who control and determine the RTP are the developers. 

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide sheds more light on slots RTP and why it’s so important. Now, you should be more aware of how this percentage influences your gameplay and where to look for it.

If you’re ready to choose a slot to play, we recommend you head over to our Real Money Slots section and choose an online casino from our comprehensive list. If you wish to learn more about slot machine features, feel free to check out our compendium.

Slots RTP FAQs

1. What is the slot with the highest RTP?

The slot with the highest RTP you can find on SlotsWolf is Timeless Rose by High 5 Games, with no less than 97% RTP.

2. Which slot machines pay the best?

The higher the RTP, the better the payout. However, this is also influenced by factors such as volatility and house edge. Keep those in mind too before choosing a slot.

3. What are the highest RTP slots 2022?

The high slot RTP list includes titles such as Quad Cat by High 5 Games (97%), Hawaiian Dream by Golden Hero (97%), or Book of Anime by Fugaso (97%).

4. How to find the payout percentage on a slot machine?

You can usually find the payout percentage of a slot machine on the provider’s official website. On SlotsWolf, we have a dedicated short section under the demo that contains details such as the RTP, volatility, number of paylines, and many more.