RTP Explained: What Return to Player Really Means
RTP is one of the most useful numbers in a slot's information screen, and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it measures and how to use it.
What RTP measures
RTP stands for return to player. It's the long-run percentage of all money staked on a game that the game is designed to pay back as winnings. A slot with a 96% RTP is designed to return £96 for every £100 staked, averaged over a very large number of spins.
The flip side is the house edge: 100% minus the RTP. A 96% RTP means a 4% house edge, the share of stakes the casino keeps over time.
Why RTP doesn't predict a session
RTP is calculated over millions of spins. In a single session, anything can happen: you might finish well ahead or lose your whole budget on a game with a high RTP. That's down to volatility, which describes how returns are spread out. Slot volatility explained covers it in detail.
So RTP doesn't tell you what you'll win today. What it does tell you is the average cost of playing a game over time, which makes it a fair way to compare games.
RTP and the house edge
Because the house edge is the average share of stakes the casino keeps, you can use it to estimate the cost of play:
| Stake | Spins | Total staked | RTP | Expected cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1 | 500 | £500 | 96% | £20 |
| £1 | 500 | £500 | 94% | £30 |
| £1 | 500 | £500 | 91.25% | £43.75 |
Notice how quickly spins add up. 500 spins at £1 means £500 staked, even though your actual balance might never have been above £50, because winnings are staked again as you play.
Why the same slot can have different RTPs
Game providers often supply a slot with several RTP settings and let each casino choose which one to run. A popular game might be available at 96%, 94% or lower, and nothing on the game's front screen tells you which version you're playing.
At our featured ProgressPlay casinos, for example, Book of Dead runs at 91.25% and Starburst at 93.05%. Our blog post on why slot RTP varies explains why casinos choose different settings.
How to check a game's RTP
- Open the game's information or paytable screen. UK-licensed games show the RTP there, usually near the bottom.
- Check our slots database, which lists the RTP each game runs at our featured brands.
- Compare like with like. A difference of a few percentage points makes a real difference to the cost of play over time.
Using RTP to estimate the cost of play
Enter your stake, number of spins and the game's RTP to see the expected cost of a session:
Cost of play calculator
- Spins or hands
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- Total staked
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- Average paid back
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- Average cost of the session
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- Average cost per hour
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This is the theoretical average over a very large number of plays. In a single session you could lose your whole budget or win; set a limit you're comfortable losing before you start.
For illustration only. Returns depend on the operator's settlement rules, so always check your bet slip and the offer terms.
For more on how slots decide each result, read how online slots work, and if you're playing with a bonus, wagering requirements explained shows how RTP affects the cost of clearing it.
Keep it fun
Set a budget before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. Gambling should never be a way to make money. Free, confidential help is available from GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
