What are Return to Player Percentages (RTPs)? - RTPs in Casino Games Explained
You can explore numerous slots and table games from various providers after making an account at Stake Casino.
One of the first things you'll notice about all casino games is that they all have a varying RTP, a percentage that is an essential part of their info pack and lets us easily calculate the house edge.
In this guide, we'll dive into what these percentages mean, how they are calculated, and what they reveal about specific games.
What do Return to Player Percentages Mean?
Return to Player percentages or RTPs are crucial to all casino games, whether it is land-based casinos or online casinos you prefer to play at. These percentages show how much of the money wagered on a casino game you can expect to get back over time. It gives you a rough idea of how likely you will win over time and applies to table games and slots.
What is the Difference Between Return to Player & Casino House Edge?
RTP is the opposite of the casino house edge. The RTP value is always 100% minus the game’s house edge. While the latter gives you a rough idea of how online casinos make money, RTPs are a good tell of how profitable a game is. So if a game has a house edge of 3.5%, the RTP rate will be 100% - 3.5% = 96.5%. We've got a whole guide on casino house edge if you're after more details.
How are RTPs Calculated?
Every casino game RTP rate is pre-calculated. The value is transparently displayed along with each slot or table game available at a given online casino. The RTP formula is:
Providers usually let the slot machine spin hundreds of thousands of times and calculate the payouts over this period. The final number gives a very close idea of the average designed slot RTP percentage.
What is The Role of Random Number Generators (RNGs) in Online Slot RTPs?
All online slot games on Stake Casino use Random Number Generators (RNGs). The RNGs determine the outcome of each spin and also help randomise it. These are third-party engines - neither Stake nor the game provider takes any part in them. As a result, average return rates are also heavily randomised. Total profits are never the same as the Return to Player number, so be mindful when betting.
What are RTP and Hit Frequency in Slots?
Slot hit frequency tells you how often a winning combination will appear on the reels. It measures the frequency of wins relative to the total number of spins. Return to Player percentage, however, deals with the possible return on investment over time. While hit frequency shows how often you can expect to connect a payline, slot RTP tells you how profitable that payline is expected to be.
What is the Difference Between Slot Volatility & RTP Percentages?
Slot volatility measures the level of risk associated with the slot game. A low-volatility slot means the risk is relatively low, and wins occur often but are rather small. High volatility, typically associated with slots with progressive jackpots, means the risk is higher, with less frequent but potentially larger wins.
Volatility is often combined with RTPs to give you an idea of the game’s total win potential. You can use both values to calculate the long-term vs short-term risk and payout dynamics of the slot.
Are there Benefits of Higher RTP Slots & Best Enhanced RTP Slots on Stake?
Playing high RTP slots has many advantages. These slots have better win odds and more wins in the long run. You also enjoy a lower house edge, which in turn means fairer gameplay. Some notable high RTP slots you can play at Stake are:
What Should You Consider When Choosing Between Slots with Varying RTPs?
The RTP rates can help you choose more rewarding slots. If you want to explore slots with varying RTP percentages, here are a few recommendations:
Always consider both volatility and RTPs: Games can have a high RTP but high volatility. That means the casino game will pay a huge chunk of your money eventually, but you’ll probably wait a bit for that big hit.
Research the game’s bonus features: Don’t let RTPs decide everything. Look into the special features, which can be multipliers, free spins, and special symbols. Some games with lower return-to-player rates may offer exciting features that will enhance the gameplay much more, even with a slightly lower winning potential.
Set a budget beforehand: Regardless of the return percentage, always set a budget for your gaming session and stick to it. It will ensure you play responsibly and prevent you from overspending.
Try out more games: Experiment with classic slots with varying RTPs. Many people are swayed by high RTP slots only, while tons of games on Stake will bring satisfaction regardless of their RTP value.
Casino Promotions, VIP Club at Stake.com & Responsible Gambling
Understanding the RTP percentage of slots and tables can take some time. Frequent gameplay is the best way to learn all the details of online casino games. You can use the lucrative rewards of Stake’s VIP Club and many other Stake promotions to enhance the fun.
Join the Multiplier Race and hit the biggest multiplier for a share of $10,000, or, enter Stake’s Weekly Raffle where you earn tickets with every wager towards a weekly $75,000 raffle prize!
Our exclusive VIP Club is an awesome way to earn member-only rewards. Learn more about perks like VIP hosts, rakeback and reload bonuses on our VIP Club FAQs.
Please always remember to bet within your means and gamble responsibly. You can find out how to stay in control with our Stake Smart guidelines. You can also use our monthly budget calculator to determine how much of your disposable income you can afford to allocate to gambling.
