Return to Player in Casinos - The Value of RTP
Vienne Garcia
Christian Webber| RTP - A Few Basic Facts | |
|---|---|
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| Return to player | |
| Also known as | The house edge |
| Definition | Percentage of wagers each game returns to its players |
| How RTP is calculated | Total sum returned to players divided by the collective amount of money bet by players on that game |
| Best casino with high RTP games | Stake Casino |
| Highest RTP slots | See list |
| Tip for high paying slots | Stake Enhanced RTP series |
| Play at Stake | |
Great games and big bonuses are certainly attractive. But let's be honest, when we visit an online casino, what we really want to do is win. And cold hard cash at that.
The question of all questions then is, which casinos pay the best odds, and on which games? This, of course, is a somewhat complicated quandary as there are so many online casinos out there, each with its own huge repertoire of games, many of which repeat across many casinos. As such calculating return to player (RTP), as a single deciding factor for choosing a casino is not as clear cut as it may seem.
Plus, there's needless to say, a matter of personal taste, and other priorities you'll have in ultimately joining any given online casino. So RTP is never going to be a singular factor; but it is important.
To this end, what this article will do is help point you in the right direction, giving you a more complete understanding of online casino odds and their payout rates, so you can make an educated choice when you select the online casinos at which you would like to play.
Note: All of the information here is based on our own testing, as well as public information provided by the online casinos and their game developers. This makes it an excellent and accurate tool for helping you understand and evaluate the weight you'd like to place on RTP.
This post covers:
- Top Casinos in Terms of Payout Percentages 2024
- What Is the Payout Rate Anyhow?
- Who Sets the House Edge?
- Different Odds on the Same Game
- Different Odds for Different Types of Games
- Where Can I See the Game's RTP?
- What's Considered a Good RTP?
- What's the difference between RTP and theoretical RTP?
- Does a 97% Return to Player Mean That I Will Win 97% of the Time?
- The Connection between Volatility and RTP
- How We Tested the Payout Ratios - And How You Can Test Them Too!
- Payout Ratios to Expect When Playing Different Casino Game Categories
- Summary: Is RTP Really That Important?
Our Top Picks for Casinos in Terms of Payout Percentages 2024
The following list of recommended casinos shows our favourite online casinos in terms of payout percentages.
Of course, the decision is up to you. And in our opinion, a good first impression goes a long way. So if you see something you like, from our list, we say go with your gut (and eyes). Because whichever of these top online casinos you choose, you know you're in good hands. In addition to well above average odds, they are all safe, secure, and completely legit, with excellent games and great welcome bonuses to match.
  
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| Casino | Bonus | License | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
 Stake Review | $500 |
| 96%Highly Recommendedvisit Stake |
 24Casino Review | $4,500+ 350 Free Spins |
| 95%Highly Recommendedvisit 24Casino |
 Cloudbet Casino Review | 5 BTC / $1,000 + 200 Free Spins |
| 95%Highly Recommendedvisit Cloudbet Casino |
 Instaspin Review | $1,000 + 100 Free Spins |
| 94%Recommendedvisit Instaspin |
 Shuffle Review | $1,000 |
| 94%Recommendedvisit Shuffle |
 BC.Game Casino Review | Virtually unlimited |
| 94%Recommendedvisit BC.Game Casino |
 Spinoli Review | $1,500+ 400 Free Spins |
| 94%Recommendedvisit Spinoli |
 Let's Lucky Review | C$ 4500+ 300 Free Spins |
| 94%Recommendedvisit Let's Lucky |
 Bizzo Casino Review | $5,000+ 150 Free Spins |
| 94%Recommendedvisit Bizzo Casino |
What Is the Payout Rate Anyhow?
The return to player, or payout rate, is the percentage of wagers each game returns to its players. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of money paid out to players in the form of winnings, by the total amount of money bet by players on that particular game, over the course of a certain timeframe. This timeframe is usually one month, or it can be over a certain number of rounds, such as one million.
To better understand return to player in numbers terms, let's say the game you're playing has a 95% RTP rate. That means of every $100 bet on the game, $95 are paid back to players in the form of winnings, with the casino keeping $5. If you're wondering then how the game could possibly be profitable, well then you need to consider the equation over the long run, and across a casino's many games.
Looking at a major operator like BC.Game, for example it wouldn't be unreasonable for it to have taken in $100 million in the past year. So even if it paid out $95 million of that, it still makes a tidy profit of $5 million. And if you look at it on the flipside, a massive operator like Stake was reported to have earned revenues of $2.6 billion in 2022 alone, so you can imagine how many bets were placed there over the course of the year to get to those numbers, even with a minimal house edge.
Who Sets the House Edge?
Also known as the house edge, the RTP for online casino games is actually set by the casino game programmers, and not by the individual casino itself, to payout a certain percentage through complicated random number generators and algorithms. That's why for the most part if you see the RTP of a popular game like Joker Bombs, for example, at different online casinos, the odds will be the same, though the betting limits may vary (which is why the prize amount could be higher at some places).
Note: Return to player and winning odds are related but distinct concepts in gambling. While RTP represents the theoretical long-term percentage of all wagered money that a casino game is designed to pay back to players, winning odds refer to the probability of a specific outcome occurring in a single game or bet.
Different Odds on the Same Game
That being said there could be small differences between the RTP on any given slots game, as some casinos might choose to allow for different features, which affect the ultimate RTP.
For example, the RTP during regular play and the free spins bonus round may be different. Or exercising the bonus buy option that a particular slots machine offers may similarly slightly adjust the anticipated RTP.
This can be seen in a video slots like Rooster's Revenge in which the theoretical RTP for the game overall is stated as 96.5%, while Bonus Buy 2 specifically will boost that to 97.1%.
Progressive jackpot slots may also sometimes show an RTP range, as the return to player does indeed differ during regular play and for jackpot wagers. Jackpot games, by the way, since they have such huge prize potential actually tend to have a lower RTP built in, so the odds of winning are a bit lower, but the potential prize higher.
In the rare case, a casino may even have negotiated a slightly different RTP with the game providers themselves as part of their business strategy.
Therefore, with all these considerations, if precise RTP down to the smallest decimal point matters to you, it's always important to check the game's information section when you go from casino to casino, even when playing the same slots machine between them.
Different Odds for Different Types of Games
While the odds on any given game can differ slightly for the reasons stated above, more obviously odds can differ quite significantly between game genres.
Blackjack as a whole, for example, is considered to have better odds than say slots. But odds aren't necessarily everything. As such, this difference can be interpreted in two different ways.
On the positive side, it's true that you have better chances of landing a win at the online blackjack tables than you do playing an online slots machine. On the other hand, the amount you can win during a single round tends to be much higher in online slots, unless perhaps you're playing a Salon Privé blackjack game.
So the difference, to a degree, has a lot to do with how much you want to wager and how much you want to win. And of course your game preference, because the difference in odds isn't really enough to switch your tastes entirely.
Where Can I See the Game's RTP?
There are a few routes for finding the game's RTP. The absolute best one is to look in-game. That is, when you open the game at the online casino, click on the information icon, and scroll through there to find it.
In some cases, the RTP is made even more accessible, by having it in the corner onscreen during gameplay.
Or in the case of an operator like Bizzo Casino, you can see the RTP clearly displayed on every game thumbnail in the casino lobby. That way you can see the expected return to player without a single click, even before making your choice. Note: This is not the average RTP rate, rather what the game is currently paying.
Bizzo Casino makes it extra easy, by clearly displaying the current RTP rate on every game thumbnail.MoreLess
Some casinos also maintain a list of RTPs on a dedicated page, through a link on their website.
While it used to be that a casino's stated return to player was considered a good indicator of its seriousness, nowadays the reality is that most online casinos offer a similar assortment of games. That means you'll find popular slots like Sweet Bonanza at many of the better online casinos. In fact, you'll find games powered by all the big developers like Play'n GO, Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, Hacksaw Gaming, Belatra, and so forth at almost all, if not all, of our top recommended casinos.
As such, RTP isn't going to really be much of a differentiator for picking one. And none will really use RTP as a way to convince you; rather assure you that these games have a clear payout policy, and are licensed and fair.
Since these developers are the masters of the game, we'll just add, they'll definitely keep the odds reasonably high, or at least well within industry norms as a starting point.
What's Considered a Good RTP?
A good RTP percentage in online gambling generally falls between 95% and 99%.
Many online slots have an RTP around 96%, which is considered a relatively standard figure, varying a few decimal points here and there. The one true exception perhaps, is those Pragmatic Play slots developed exclusively as part of the Stake Enhanced RTP slots series - like Lucky Phoenix Megaways, Sugar Twist, or Bison Spirit - which all have a return to player of over 98%.
For a guaranteed higher than average return to player, the Stake enhanced RTP slots would be an excellent choice.MoreLess
What's the difference between RTP and theoretical RTP?
These terms are generally used interchangeably. But they are not the exact same thing. While the difference is generally so minute that you as a player wouldn't notice it, since we're reviewing the concept of RTP anyhow, it's worth taking a look to understand the fine points that differentiate between them.
- This is the mathematically calculated percentage of all wagered money that a casino game or slot machine is designed to pay back to players over an infinite number of plays.
- It's determined by the game's algorithms and paytable.
- It's the value typically advertised by casinos and game developers.
- This is the actual percentage of money returned to players over a specific period of play.
- It can be influenced by various factors, including:
- Randomness: Short-term results can deviate significantly from the theoretical RTP due to the inherent randomness of casino games.
- Sample size: The actual RTP observed in a small sample size may not accurately reflect the theoretical value.
- Game variations: Slight variations in game settings or bonus features can impact the actual RTP.
In other words, while theoretical RTP, which is how the game usually presents itself, provides a useful guideline, it's crucial to remember that it's a long-term average, and short-term results can vary significantly.
Does a 97% Return to Player Mean That I Will Win 97% of the Time?
It is important to keep in mind, that RTP is a long-term calculation particularly in terms of online slots. So for example, if a game has a stated RTP of 97%, that does not mean that you will win 97 out of 100 rounds. Rather it means that the game will payout 97% of the time over the long-haul.
That being said, a 97% return rate does give you better odds than a 95% RTP.
The Connection between Volatility and RTP
You may at this point be wondering then, what's the connection between volatility and RTP? And are they the same thing?
So no, volatility and RTP are not the same thing. While they're related, they're distinct concepts. Volatility basically indicates how often and how big the payouts are likely to be; i.e. the risk and potential rewards associated with a given slot.
Volatility doesn't directly influence the RTP, but it's quite connected and will generally look something like this:
- High RTP, low volatility slots = more frequent, smaller wins.
- Low RTP, high volatility slots = a higher house edge and the potential for larger, but less frequent wins.
How We Tested the Payout Ratios - And How You Can Test Them Too!
Online casinos that are licensed and regulated need to provide RTP information about their games to players.
In fact, the UK Gambling Commission, which many consider the most stringent around, clearly stipulates that its licensed casinos must not only list the RTP for each game, but that the RTP needs to be verified, certified, and regularly tested by recognised external bodies like eCOGRA in order for the casino to receive and maintain its online casino license.
To this end, a reputable online casino will always make the RTP of each online game it offers easily accessible. You can usually find it listed in the game's information section, under its paytable, so look for it there.
Big Bass Bonanza has spawned many spinoffs, and remains popular thanks to its awesome theme and above average 96.71% payout rate as seen here at Spinoli casino.MoreLess
Some online casinos, by the way, also have a dedicated page on their website listing the RTP of every single game, which can be interesting if you're simply looking to find the games with the highest pay back rate, or are looking to get an at-a-glance glimpse of the casino's full payout percentage picture.
Payout Ratios to Expect When Playing Different Casino Game Categories
As mentioned above, each type of casino game has its own set of odds. And within each genre, there can be differences between versions - like European roulette vs. American roulette. Plus, there can even be slight differences between providers. So what are the general payouts you should expect per game category? Let's have a look, one by one…
- Payout percentages for online slots
- Slots with the Highest RTP
- Payout percentages for online roulette
- Payout percentages for online blackjack
- Payout percentages for live casino games
- Payout percentages for original crypto casino games
- Payout percentages for other online casino games
Payout percentages for online slots
Let's start with the really good news. The RTP for online slots is actually significantly higher than in land-based casinos like you'd find in Las Vegas. In brick-and-mortar casinos the return rate, if you an believe it, may be set as low as 70% and usually no higher than 90%, with a few landing in the 92% RTP range.
In an online casino, however, such low return rates are practically unheard of - which happens to be another reason why we love playing online so much!
In fact, when it comes to the online domain, slots that pay under 95% are considered to have low returns, hence are few and far between. Usually these would be legacy games that casinos maintain in their catalogue. Newer online slot machines generally have an RTP above 96% and can even reach over 99% theoretically.
The popular Mega Joker online slot has an RTP of 99%, which is almost insanely high.MoreLess
Slots with the Highest RTP
If you're in search of the online slot machines with the highest RTP, we recommend checking out the Enhanced RTP line of slots at Stake casino. They start off at 98% and even go up a bit. These are your easiest bet for getting a low house edge, without putting in much effort to find them.
However there are even higher return games, the following being top of the class in the RTP department.
Best odds playing online slot games
| # | Name | Provider | Reels | Paylines | Visit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryse of the Mighty Gods | OneTouch |  | 6 | 262,144 | ➞ Stake | |
| 2 | Mega Joker | NetEnt |  | 5 | 25 | ➞ BC.Game | |
| 3 | 1429 Uncharted Seas | Thunderkick | | 5 | 25 | ➞ Stake | |
| 4 | Wild West Bounty | Pragmatic Play | | 5 | 40 | ➞ Stake | |
| 5 | Blood Suckers | NetEnt |  | 5 | 25 |
Payout percentages for online roulette
When it comes to the RTP for online roulette, there's simply speaking no single answer. That's because there are dozens upon dozens of versions of online roulette available. So you'll have to check the in-game paytable for the precise decimal points on some of the more niche variations.
That being said, there are some very definitive numbers in terms of house edge you'll hear quoted around. For example, for American Roulette, the house edge is 5.26%. Or flipped around, that means a 94.74% RTP. And when playing European or French Roulette, the odds are even better, with just a 2.7% house edge, which means a 97.3% RTP.
Payout percentages for online blackjack
Again, the payout percentages for online blackjack depend on which version of online blackjack you're playing. But in general, it's safe to say that the RTP of this card game is particularly high. So if good odds are your thing, blackjack may be the right game choice for you.
Theoretically, for example, blackjack has a potential 99.54% RTP, and rarely falls below 95%. The catch, however, is that blackjack is a skill based game, so while luck is always a determining factor, the odds are somewhat affected by your ability to play your cards right.
Classic blackjack and single deck blackjack are good choices for an increased player edge. Just remember, that this is in main game play. If you opt for side bets, they will lower the overall RTP of the game, as side bets typically have a significantly higher house edge (though they admittedly can be fun).
Payout percentages for live casino games
Live casino games are a pretty broad category. There are many different types of live casino games on the market, from different software providers, so there is simply no one answer to the RTP live casino games payout rate either.
In general, however, it's safe to say that live casino games pay out a fairly high RTP. The highest of which are for the Playtech games Unlimited Blackjack at 99.54% and Quantum Blackjack at 99.47%, followed by Infinite Blackjack from Evolution Gaming at 99.51%. This of course mirrors what we said about online blackjack being the game format with the highest RTP. Live baccarat, we'll just point out, can also have some excellent odds.
As for the live game shows that are particularly popular amongst players for the entertainment factor, they too have strong payouts. However they're slightly lower than the table game categories, with 96.08% on Crazy Time, 96.23% for Monopoly Live, and 95.24% on Dream Catcher, all of Evolution Gaming fame.
These are just some of the exciting live games available in our preferred online casinos.MoreLess
Payout percentages for original crypto casino games
This is the perfect time to touch on a growing trend, and that is crypto gambling. That of course means betting with crypto currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. But the casinos that have facilitated this movement - with Stake and BC.Game being leaders amongst them - have also created a new category of games, which we call crypto games.
Perhaps they may have once been called arcade games, or simply slotted under an "Others" category, but today games like Plinko, Mines, Crash, and Limbo are often referred to as crypto games, categorised under the tab 'Originals', as in top casinos there are versions designed in-house.
Pure games of chance, popular titles like Plinko, Twist, Mines, and Wheel at BC.Game all have a surprisingly high RTP of 99%. And Stake of course keeps pace.
This classic arcade game often boasts a high RTP, making it a popular choice among players.MoreLess
Payout percentages for other online casino games
Of course the beauty of playing at an online casino goes beyond slots, roulette, and blackjack. There's pretty much any gambling game you can imagine from instant scratch cards to keno, and even sometimes video darts.
If RTP is something that drives your casino game choice, you may be interested to know that some of these less popular online games actually have some of the greatest odds too.
Classic Baccarat from RealTime Gaming, for example, has a 98.94% RTP. And some video poker machines are known to give ridiculously high odds of up to 99.96%.
Is RTP Really That Important?
After reading through this review, you may still be wondering, is RTP really that important? Or perhaps more accurately, should RTP really be a factor in choosing my games?
"Well, yes and no. If you really love a game and get a lot of joy out of it, then RTP may be a marginal factor in making your decision. Also, just because online blackjack has a higher RTP, it isn't going to turn you from a slots lover into a blackjack player. There is, in other words, a lot of room for personal preference. As there should be." Vienne Garcia – Author and Casino Expert
"Well, yes and no. If you really love a game and get a lot of joy out of it, then RTP may be a marginal factor in making your decision. Also, just because That being said, with all things being equal and you're simply comparing one slot machine to another, RTP can be the deciding factor. After all, why not play a game that gives you better odds at winning?
So while the choice is ultimately up to you, we recommend checking the RTP of each casino game before you get started. It gives you a good sense of the odds you're up against, and helps you set your expectations right.
Plus, seeing that the casino displays the RTP gives you an additional sense of security, as this is the type of information a reputable online casino divulges from the get-go, as part of its player commitment. And this safety, fair play commitment is definitely one of the key deciding factors in the casinos we recommend, and something we highly advise you to consider when you choose where to play.
I've been working in the online casino landscape in Malta for more than 10 years and have seen how the industry works from customer service roles to the backend of the business. While I am lucky enough to call myself a native on the sunny island called Malta, I also enjoy travelling and have travelled across Canada! After wandering through the great white north, I have decided to share my knowledge and now work with Canadian players to compile accurate casino reviews to help players navigate through the hundreds of gaming sites online.
Sitting still has never been my strength, and my colleagues say that I don't need a chair because I'm always on the move. My dream to play professional soccer didn't work out, but it turns out mobile gaming is not a bad alternative either. I prefer to be out and about instead of sitting in an office, so mobile gaming has turned out to be the perfect match. I test mobile casinos and their platforms from my phones and tablets so I have a clear idea how they perform on different devices. From performance to the latest mobile promotions, I'm always on top of it all!