Blog · 3 Oct 2026
Why the Same Slot Can Have a Different RTP at Different Casinos
Two casinos can offer the same slot, with the same reels and features, yet pay back different amounts over time. The reason is the RTP setting, and it is worth checking before you play.
What an RTP setting is
RTP, or return to player, is the percentage of all money staked on a slot that it's designed to pay back over millions of spins. A 96% RTP slot pays back £96 for every £100 staked on average, so the house keeps £4. Our RTP guide explains it in full.
Many popular slots aren't released with one fixed RTP. Game providers build several versions of the same game, each with a different RTP, and each version is tested and certified separately. The casino then chooses which version to run.
The game looks and plays the same in every version. The difference is in the maths underneath: the lower the setting, the more of each stake the house keeps over time.
Why providers offer several settings
Casinos have very different costs, from taxes and licence fees to the price of the games themselves and the bonuses they give away. Offering several RTP versions lets one game suit many different casinos.
A casino might choose a lower RTP to cover the cost of generous promotions, or a higher one to make its games more attractive to players who check. Either way, it's the casino's choice, and it's allowed as long as the RTP is shown to players.
Examples from our featured casinos
At our featured ProgressPlay casinos, SaviBet, LuckCity and BetBlink, three of the best-known slots run at these settings:
| Slot | RTP at SaviBet, LuckCity and BetBlink | Highest version available |
|---|---|---|
| Book of Dead | 91.25% | 96.21% |
| Starburst | 93.05% | 96.09% |
| Gates of Olympus | 92.10% | 96.50% |
A few percentage points might not sound like much, but the cost adds up over a session. Take 500 spins at 50p, which is £250 staked in total:
- at 96.21%, the expected cost is about £9.50;
- at 91.25%, the expected cost is about £21.90.
That's more than double the cost for the same game, the same stake and the same number of spins. As with any average, a single session can finish far above or below these figures.
How to check the RTP before you play
- 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 the same game at different casinos, if RTP matters to you. The difference is often bigger than people expect.
- Remember volatility too. RTP tells you the long-run average, but slot volatility decides how bumpy the ride is along the way.
To see what a session is likely to cost at any RTP, try our cost of play calculator. Higher RTP lowers the average cost, but it doesn't change the fact that the house keeps an edge on every spin.
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.
