When it comes to slots, one of the most important considerations for players to keep in mind is the return to player (RTP) percentage for that game. If you are looking to play online slots, then it is worth your while to get to grips with this term as it will improve your chances of walking away with a decent amount of cash. In this article, we will be telling you all about RTP so that you know exactly which slots to keep a look out for and which to give a miss. Keep reading below to find out more.
What is Return to Player or RTP?
RTP is one aspect of slot game mathematics that tells you the amount that a particular slot will pay back to players over a period of millions of games. The RTP is reflected as a percentage of the total funds paid out to players versus the total funds wagered on the game. Therefore, a higher RTP means that the slot will, on average, pay out more than a low RTP slot.
This does not mean that you are guaranteed to win an amount equal to the RTP, but rather that over time, considering ALL the total wagers, the slot has been programmed to pay out that percentage. The remainder is referred to as the house edge and is what the casino takes for profit.
Online casinos tend to have much higher RTP than slots found at land-based casinos. Slots at land-based casinos will typically have an RTP of around 70%, whereas online slots have an RTP of between 94-97%. The reason why online slots have a much higher RTP is due to the fact that online casinos have much lower operating costs and can afford to have games with much higher RTPs. Online casinos can also offer more lucrative slot bonus offers while remaining profitable.
Land-based and online casinos are required to have their games verified and checked for fair play and safety standards for them to receive a license from gambling authorities. Without a license, the casinos would not be able to operate in the USA, which is why casinos are strict when it comes to the games that they offer to players. With that being said, it is safe to assume that the RTP that is advertised for an online slot, or at a land-based casino, is an accurate reflection of the slot pay-out algorithm.