What Is RTP?
RTP stands for Return to Player. It's a term used to describe the theoretical average amount of money that a slot (or other casino game) is expected to pay back to its players over millions of spins.
For example, a slot with 96% RTP, in a very large number of plays, will return 96% of the amount deposited, which in this case is $96 for every $100 bet. In this way, the other 4% goes to the casino, which in this case is the house edge (in this case 4%).
A slot with 96.5% RTP has a house edge of 3.5%.
The RTP is a value chosen by the developer of the slot during the design phase and it is incorporated into the mathematical formulas of the game. In other words, the RTP is a fixed number and it can not be adjusted by the player. That being said, it is possible for the Casino to set the game to have a lower RTP than what is mentioned in the paytable.
What RTP Does NOT Tell You
RTP is a long-run average over millions of spins. In your individual session, it tells you almost nothing about what will happen:
- It's not per-session! A 96% RTP slot does not pay out $96 of every $100 that you bet per single session. You might be lucky and win $180 over 100 spins, or you might lose all of your money.
- Slot games payout percentages are statistically calculated over many millions of individual spins, and players should bear in mind the 'law of large numbers' when understanding that short-term wins and losses will deviate from the RTP (Return to Player).
- Variance/Volatility is equally important as RTP A slot with high volatility and an RTP of 96.5% will offer longer losing streaks and larger wins than a slot with low volatility and an RTP of 96.5% as well.
RTP Ranges: What's Good, Average, and Bad
| RTP Range | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 98%+ | Excellent | Very rare in slots. Common in some blackjack variants. |
| 96–97.9% | Good | Standard for premium slots. Look for titles in this range. |
| 94–95.9% | Average | Acceptable. Many slots fall in this range. |
| 92–93.9% | Below Average | Avoid if you have alternatives. Higher house edge. |
| Below 92% | Poor | Only play if the theme/jackpot justifies it. House edge is high. |
Progressive jackpot slots, while providing the thrill of potentially winning a huge prize, have lower base RTPs, typically in the range of 92–94%. The advertised RTPs that are usually cited are calculated based on jackpots being awarded along with the normal returns on spins to most players. Very few winners are provided those higher average rewards on a regular basis.
High-RTP Slots to Look For
High RTP games can be found in specific slots. Our list of LTC casinos shows that some of these games are available at multiple sites.
- Mega Joker (NetEnt) — 99% RTP (maximum stake mode)
- 1429 Uncharted Seas (Thunderkick) — 98.5% RTP
- Blood Suckers (NetEnt) — 98% RTP
- Jackpot 6000 (NetEnt) — 98.9% RTP
- Goblin's Cave (Playtech) — 99.3% RTP
- White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming) — 97.7% RTP
- Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt) — 96.8% RTP
You can play Real Series slots at any online casino. To find them we suggest using the search function in the casino lobby. You will not find all of them at every online casino, though, as they are all based on specific games created by the various slots software providers who have deals with the casino you play at.
How to Find a Game's RTP
There are three ways to find a slot's RTP:
- In-game info button: Most modern slots have an "i" or "?" button that opens game info, including RTP. This is the most reliable source — it shows the RTP as configured by that specific casino.
- Casino game page: Some casinos display RTP next to game listings in their lobby or on dedicated game pages.
- Provider website: Game developers (NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO) publish RTP figures in their game documentation. This is the "default" RTP — the casino may have configured a lower version.
RTP and Litecoin Casino Play
Just like with any currency, the RTP rules apply when you play with LTC. The fact that casinos convert your balance to fiat means that LTC price movements during the session will affect your winnings and losses when compared to the LTC you originally bought.
Using LTC as a deposit method does not change your chances of winning - the RTP of the game is unchanged and is a property of the game itself. What LTC brings to the table is that withdrawals are processed more quickly, fees are lower and players enjoy more anonymity. Chances of winning remain the same.
When choosing which slots to play, be sure to look for casinos that displays the Return to Player (RTP) percentages for each slot within the casino lobby or via an info panel that appears on each slot screen. Typically a casino that values fairness and transparency will opt to use the actual pay out percentage as opposed to round down to the nearest whole number and display the rounded down figure, therefore it's a good idea to use this as an important factor when choosing slots to gamble on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a higher RTP always better?
In the long run a higher RTP is better for you, because a higher RTP means a lower edge to the casino, thus meaning the casino will pay out more of your bankroll. However, variance is also important. So while an RTP of 96% might look the same as 96% RTP on a low volatility slot and a 96% RTP on a high volatility slot, the experience will be very different on the two. On the high volatility slot you will get a few fewer wins, but when you get them the prizes will be bigger, and you will have to wait longer for them to come along, as there will be a longer stretch without a win.
Does RTP apply to each spin individually?
This number is a statistical average based on millions of individual spins. Each single individual spin is a random event; No slot machine can remember individual events and make its RTP true over short time periods. This means it's possible to lose your entire bankroll playing a 96% RTP slot machine in a single gaming session.
Can a casino change a game's RTP after I've started playing?
No — RTP can't be changed mid-session; it's a value that's hard-coded into the game. However, when a casino decides to use a particular slot, they have the ability to select the payout from a number of options provided by the slot's developer. The slot developer can choose from a wide range of pay-outs for casinos to select from. The casino then selects the payout they are happy with and this then is the payout for all players on that casino site.
What's the RTP on table games like blackjack?
Table games have a generally higher RTP (Return to Player) than slot games. Blackjack with optimal strategy can reach an RTP of 99% and up to 99.5%. European Roulette has an RTP of 97.3% and the American version has an RTP of 94.7% due to the extra green pocket with a zero. The Banker bet in Baccarat has an RTP of 98.9%.