RTP guide
What Is RTP in Slots? Return to Player, Explained
RTP (Return to Player) is the percentage of all money wagered that a slot is designed to pay back to players over the long run. A 96% RTP means the game returns £96 for every £100 staked on average across millions of spins. It's a long-term theoretical average — not a prediction of any single session.
How RTP works
Every licensed slot is built and independently tested to a specific RTP. The figure is calculated over an enormous number of simulated spins, so it describes the game's long-run behaviour rather than what happens in an hour of play. If a slot has a 96% RTP, then across all players and all spins combined, it pays back about 96% of everything staked — the other 4% is the operator's margin.
Because it's an average over millions of spins, RTP tells you nothing reliable about a short session. You could win big or lose everything on a 98% slot; the maths only reveals itself over the very long term.
RTP vs house edge
RTP and house edge are two sides of the same coin. The house edge is simply what's left after RTP: house edge = 100% − RTP. So a 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge, meaning the casino keeps 4% of everything wagered on average. A higher RTP means a smaller house edge and better long-term value for you.
Theoretical vs actual RTP — the "version trap"
Here's the catch most players miss: many slots ship in several RTP versions, and each casino chooses which one to deploy. The exact same game might run at 96.71% at one casino and 94.51% at another. The provider's headline RTP is the theoretical maximum — but the actual RTP you get is whichever version your casino has switched on. Always check the game's paytable, and use our data to find where the best version is live.
RTP vs volatility
RTP tells you how much a slot pays back over time; volatility tells you how it pays. A high-volatility slot pays rarely but can pay big; a low-volatility slot pays small amounts often. Two slots can share the same 96% RTP yet feel completely different to play. Pair a strong RTP with a volatility level that matches your bankroll and how long you want to play.
How to find a slot's RTP
The quickest way is to open the game and read its paytable or info screen — the RTP for the version you're playing is listed there. You can also check the provider's website for the game's specification, or use a tracker like this site, which records the RTP each casino actually deploys so you don't have to dig for it. Our full method is documented on the How We Verify page.
Example: £100 wagered at different RTPs
Here's what the same £100 of total stakes returns on average at different RTP levels. Remember these are long-run averages — a single session can look nothing like this.
| RTP | House edge | Expected return | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94% | 6% | £94.00 | −£6.00 |
| 95% | 5% | £95.00 | −£5.00 |
| 96% | 4% | £96.00 | −£4.00 |
| 97% | 3% | £97.00 | −£3.00 |
| 98% | 2% | £98.00 | −£2.00 |
| 99% | 1% | £99.00 | −£1.00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher RTP always better?
What's a good RTP for a slot?
Does RTP tell me what I'll win tonight?
Why does the same slot show different RTPs?
Written by Mark Gruetze, RTP & Volatility Analyst · Reviewed by Jon Pill · Last updated Jul 2026