What is the meaning of RTP at an online casino?

The term RTP (Return to Player) is often found in online casinos. In this article, we zoom in on the meaning of RTP, its importance to the gaming experience, the calculation, and the differences between online and offline casinos. In addition, games with high RTP are discussed, as well as the factors that can affect RTP values.

What does RTP (Return to Player) mean?

Return to Player, abbreviated as RTP, is a term you often encounter in the world of online casinos and slot machines. But what exactly does it mean to you as a player? Essentially, RTP indicates the percentage of the total amount of money returned to players by a casino game or slot machine over a long period of time. Imagine a slot machine has an RTP of 96%. This means that of every €100 that players wager, on average €96 flows back to the players in the form of winnings. The remaining portion, in this case 4%, represents the house edge, which is what the online casino expects to earn from the game in the long run.

It is crucial to understand that the RTP is an average, calculated over millions of spins. This means that your individual playing session may vary greatly from this percentage. You could get lucky and win more, or be less lucky and lose some of your stake. So the RTP is more an indicator of the game's long-term prospects than a guarantee of individual winnings. It is central to understanding how casino games work and helps you as a player make more informed choices about which games you play. With this knowledge, you can look for games that are not only fun to play but also offer a higher chance of getting something back from your wagers in the long run.

How is the RTP calculated?

Now that you know what RTP means and how important this percentage is to your gaming experience, you may be wondering how exactly this number is calculated. The process behind calculating RTP is quite simple, but implementing it requires a complex mathematical approach. To determine the RTP of a casino game, the total amount paid out to players as winnings is divided by the total amount wagered by players, over a long period of time. This period often spans millions of spins or rounds to ensure an accurate average value.

Imagine, if a slot machine receives €1 million in bets during its life cycle and then returns €950,000 in the form of winnings, that slot machine's RTP is 95%. It is essential to understand that this calculation is based on the long-term behavior of the game. For game developers and casinos, determining RTP is a precise process that uses algorithms and simulations to ensure that the game matches the expected payout percentages.

As we dive further into the world of Return to Player (RTP), it is important to realize that these numbers offer more than just statistics. They are a foundation of transparency and fairness in online gaming.

Difference between online and offline casino

The distinction between the RTP of online and offline casinos is an aspect you should definitely consider when choosing where to place your next bet. Online casinos are known for their higher RTP percentages compared to their land-based counterparts. But why is this so? The answer lies in the operational structure and the costs associated with it. Online casinos have lower operating costs: they do not need to maintain expensive premises, require less staff, and can offer their services to a global audience without expanding their physical location. These savings allow online platforms to offer a higher RTP, often between 92% and 98%.

On the other hand, land-based casinos face rent or mortgage, slot machine maintenance, salaries of more staff and other related expenses. These higher expenses often result in lower RTPs for players, usually ranging from 80% to 90%. This means that in a land-based casino, on average, you get less back from every euro you wager, compared to playing online.

High RTP casino games

When exploring high RTP casino games, titles that are favorites of experienced players often pop up, particularly because of their favorable payout percentages. Games such as online roulette, especially the European variant, are popular choices. European roulette, known for its single zero, offers an RTP of about 97.3%, significantly higher than the American version with a double zero, where the RTP drops to about 94%. This difference highlights the importance of game variety and its impact on your chances of winning. Blackjack is also ranked highly as a game with a high RTP, often exceeding 99%, especially if you apply the basic strategy correctly. The game requires not only luck but also skill and strategic thinking, which makes it attractive to many players.

These games show that not all casino games are created equal when it comes to the chances of winning. Knowing the game rules and applying the right strategies can significantly improve your odds. Choosing games with a high RTP is a smart move for any player who wants to maximize their playing time and increase their chances of winning. Learn more about online roulette strategies here.

Discover roulette game rules, blackjack game rules and baccarat game rules here.

Factors affecting Return to Player (RTP).

There are several factors that can affect the Return to Player (RTP) of casino games. First, game development itself is an important factor; the way a game is designed and the algorithms used to generate winnings largely determine the RTP. Game developers can choose to create games with a higher or lower RTP, depending on their target market and game concept.

Another significant factor is the type of game. As mentioned earlier, games such as European roulette and blackjack generally have a higher RTP compared to American roulette. This is due to the game rules and structure, such as the number of zeros on a roulette wheel, which directly affect the chances of winning. In addition, the variance or volatility of a game can also affect how the RTP is perceived by individual players. Games with high variance may offer higher winnings, but these occur less frequently, which can lead to a perception of a lower RTP in the short term, even if the mathematical rate remains unchanged.

A game's settings can also play a role. In some cases, online casino operators can choose different RTP settings for the same game, depending on their licensing requirements. This means that the same slot machine may have different payout percentages in different online casinos.

Also good to know is that the RTP works in conjunction with the Random Number Generator (RNG), variation and hit frequency.

Popular PepperMill games with a high RTP

The highest RTP among our popular dice slots can be found with Gates of Olympus Dice (96.5%) or Starliner (98.31%) from Novomatic.

If you are looking more for games with a skill element you can always try some of our high-RTP dice games like Mega Wheels or Pure from Airdice with both 97% or Mega Spinner from G1 with an RTP of 96%

At PepperMill, we value transparency. Therefore, in our online casino, you can find the payout percentage under each game, as well as in the game rules of each game.

The average RTP of our Dice Games and Dice Slots is around 95%.