Slot RTP Explained: How to Find Better Paying Games

Did you know that slot machines will actually tell you how much they’re likely to pay out, even before you spend a dime? It’s true – it’s called the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, and it tells you how much a casino game will pay back to players on average over time.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what RTP means, how to find it, and how to use it to make sure you get the best possible outcome the next time you head to the casino in person or use one of the best real money online casinos.

🎰 What does RTP mean in slots?

You might be wondering, what is RTP? Well, RTP represents the average amount of wagered money you’ll get back over time on a slot or other casino game, such as real money blackjack. For example, if a slot has a 96% RTP (which is the industry average for online slots), that means you’ll get back $96 for every $100 you wager.

However, it’s important to understand that this is a long-term average, not a guarantee of short-term results. Since spins are determined by Random Number Generators (RNGs), each outcome is completely random, and there is nothing you can do to predict or influence the result, even when playing at the best payout online casinos.

You may spin the reels once and win big, or play for a while and not win anything — that’s the nature of online slots! In a single session, you may even get worse results from a high RTP game than you do from one with a lower RTP.

🟣 Why RTP matters

Finding games with excellent RTPs isn’t about discovering a hack that lets you beat the games; rather, it’s a way to make your funds (and fun) last as long as possible. Still, gambling on higher-RTP games theoretically provides better long-term value, making them a smart option for casual players. 

You can, however, score a casino welcome bonus when you join a new iGaming site, which'll add a little extra to your bankroll. Read the terms and conditions of any offer you accept to ensure you're using it on the right games.

🟠 What is a good slot RTP?

The industry standard online slot RTP is around 96%, and most games fall into that range. Anything above 97% qualifies as high RTP, whereas anything below 94% is low RTP. Examples of well-known high-RTP slots include Mega Joker from NetEnt (99% RTP) and White Rabbit Megaways from Big Time Gaming (97.72% RTP).

There’s another factor you need to know about, however, called “volatility.” Volatility measures how often a slot pays out, and it can greatly affect your enjoyment of the game. High volatility games typically provide larger payouts less regularly, whereas low volatility slots are more likely to pay out smaller amounts more frequently.

🔎 How to find a slot’s RTP

If you don’t know how to find a slot’s RTP, try checking the paytable on the game itself. Most online casinos have “help” or “info” buttons that often list RTP. If not, you can try googling '[game name] + RTP'. This will usually bring up the official game provider website, as well as different casino and review sites. At least one of these is likely to reveal the RTP.

It’s also important to know that many games have adjustable RTPs that vary across online casino apps, so there may not be a “true” answer to your question.

🆚 High RTP vs. volatility: what is the difference?

As noted above, RTP and volatility are two completely different factors, but both can have a tremendous impact on how much fun you have.

Low volatility slots like Starburst from NetEnt hit more often than the best high volatility casino games, but the payouts tend to be smaller. On the other hand, a highly volatile slot, like Dead or Alive 2, also from NetEnt, will have long dry spells, but the wins are more likely to be larger.

If you’re playing on a high RTP slot that’s also highly volatile, it may feel like you aren’t winning as much as if you were playing on a lower RTP game that’s less volatile.

There’s no right or wrong answer as to which is best. Since this is just how online slot machines work, it’s totally a matter of personal preference. If you love the thrill of big wins and are willing to put up with extended losing streaks, then try high volatility games. If you prefer steady returns, however, stick with lower volatility games. 

👀 How to actually find high-RTP slots

Googling every game you want to play in order to find its RTP can be tedious, and isn't what most people want from a casino experience. Some online casinos allow you to filter games by RTP, so you can exclude all the options below a given threshold.

Some software providers have reputations for offering high RTP games. Developers like NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Thunderkick have many slots with high payout rates, so you’re not likely to go too far wrong with one of their games.

Otherwise, you can check out our page on the 10 highest RTP slots. You can also play in demo mode or try a free spins casino to get a feel for the payout rate before you risk actual cash.

💰 Top tips for finding better paying slots

If you want to increase the amount of time you spend playing your favorite slots, you may want to look for high RTP games. Check each slot’s RTP before spinning the reels, and only play at sweepstakes casinos that display this information prominently.

However, having fun is what matters most. Don’t play a game you don’t like just because it has an RTP that’s a percentage point higher than a game you do like. After all, slots are about having a good time. They’re not an investment strategy.