What Is RTP How Casino Payout Percentages Work

The RTP represents the percentage of total wagers a game is expected to pay back to players over a long period. For casinos, it provides a way to measure the house’s advantage, while for players, it offers a benchmark for understanding how much value a game can return.

This number does not predict individual outcomes, nor does it guarantee winnings in a single session; it’s simply a statistical measure that explains how the balance between payouts and the house edge is structured.

The RTP is a percentage that reflects how much of the money wagered on a game is statistically expected to be returned to players over time. For example, a slot machine with an RTP of 96% means that, in theory, the game will pay back $96 for every $100 wagered. The remaining $4 represents the house’s built-in advantage, also known as house edge, which will be explained in depth further on.

For the average player, this number does not play out in a single spin or hand. The percentage is based on millions of rounds, which means short-term results can differ widely. A player may hit a large payout in just a few spins, or lose quickly despite a high RTP.

This makes RTP an important figure to consider when choosing games, but it should not be confused with a promise of return.

To illustrate, imagine two different slots. Both have a 96 percent RTP, yet one pays small wins frequently and the other pays rarely but with bigger prizes. A player might walk away with very different impressions of each game, even though their long-term theoretical return is identical.

The same idea of those two different slots is useful to understand yet another very important online casino term: “volatility.” Often, you will hear this term in the same conversation as “RTP”, although they describe different aspects of a casino game.

Volatility, sometimes called variance, reflects the pattern of payouts along the way more than the value.

A game with high volatility tends to deliver larger wins but less frequently, while low-volatility games offer smaller wins more often, creating steadier gameplay.

Both measures influence a player’s experience. Two slot machines may share the same RTP, say 96 percent, yet one could be highly volatile while the other is designed for steadier returns.

RTP and house edge are two sides of the same coin. They describe the balance between what players receive back and what the casino keeps.

In an RTP of 96%, the house edge is 4 percent, which represents the average share the casino retains over the long term. The same applies to table games: European roulette has an RTP of 97.3 percent, which translates into a house edge of 2.7 percent.

For players, understanding this relationship provides clarity. A higher RTP means a lower house edge, and vice versa. Casinos rely on that house edge as their built-in advantage, and it is what makes their business sustainable — and allows them to offer players features like welcome bonuses and sweepstakes.

It is worth noting that house edge and RTP are long-term statistical measures. They shape expected results over thousands of wagers, not the outcome of a single spin or hand. This is why casinos can confidently rely on house edge for revenue, while players experience swings that may look very different in the short term.

Not all types of casino games are the same when it comes to payout percentages. Some titles have higher RTP than others, giving players stronger long-term value.

Blackjack has one of the highest percentages, with an RTP that can reach above 99 percent when played with an optimal strategy — in this case, it’s the RTP available to players who make correct decisions on every single hand.

Baccarat has most versions returning between 98 and 99 percent, depending on the wager. Banker bets are usually the most favorable, while tie bets drop the RTP considerably.

Roulette, particularly the European version with a single zero, has an RTP of about 97.3 percent, while American roulette’s RTP is 94.74 percent.

Slot machines vary widely. Some titles sit in the 95 to 97 percent range, while others are lower, closer to 90 percent. Video poker is a notable standout in the digital category; certain versions of Jacks or Better can reach 99.5 percent with perfect play. Other variations, like Deuces Wild or Double Bonus Poker, also offer favorable percentages if played correctly.

Online slot developers are required to publish the RTP for their games, and most licensed casinos make this information available to players. The exact location where you can find it varies, but it is usually found in one of three places.

First, many games include an information menu, often marked with an “i” icon or help button. Inside, players can view paytables, rules, details about bonus rounds, and the RTP percentage. Second, online casinos often list RTP details in their game descriptions or in a dedicated section of their website. Finally, independent review sites usually publish it after testing games or referencing developer specifications.

It is important to note that some casinos may adjust RTP settings within an allowed range set by the developer. A slot might have multiple approved versions, such as one with 96 percent RTP and another with 94 percent. It’s up to operators to choose which version to install, and the online casinos with the highest payout games tend to offer the higher RTP versions.

For this reason, the percentage you see in a game review may not always match the one provided by the operator. Checking directly within the game itself is usually the most reliable way to confirm the number. Regulators in some jurisdictions also require RTP disclosures.

Although a high RTP may look appealing, it should not be mistaken for a promise of winnings. Since it’s an average calculated over millions of rounds, individual sessions can swing far above or below that percentage.

For example, a slot machine with a 97 percent RTP will statistically return $97 for every $100 wagered in the long run. During short sessions, short-term luck is far more relevant than any defined percentages, and a single player can hit a big payout within minutes or lose their balance quickly without seeing any major return.

The lesson for players is straightforward: RTP should be used to compare games, not to predict personal outcomes. It is a valuable benchmark, but luck and variance remain the decisive forces in any individual experience.

Return to Player is one of the most important figures in casino gaming, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. It represents the long-term percentage of wagers that a game pays back to players, while the house edge shows the portion that stays with the casino. Together, these numbers explain the structure behind every spin, deal, or roll.

RTP is not a guarantee of individual outcomes, because short-term results are driven by luck — and, in some cases, volatility. Yet, knowing how RTP works can help players make more informed choices about the games they play. Traditional table games such as blackjack and baccarat stand out for their high payout percentages, while online slot machines and video poker offer a wider range depending on the title and operator.

For those seeking clarity in an environment that’s mostly shaped by chance, understanding RTP is a valuable resource. It can help remind players that while individual sessions may swing wildly, the long-term numbers are stable.

A game’s RTP is calculated through millions of simulated rounds. Developers calculate the total wagers and total payouts, then express the average returned to players as a percentage.

Good RTP values for slots range between 95% and 97%.

It depends on the table game. Blackjack offers an RTP of 98%, while baccarat typically falls between 98 and 99 percent, and roulette varies greatly depending on the version.

The RTP is the payout percentage to players in the long run. Volatility defines how often these payouts come and how big they are.

Blackjack, baccarat, and certain video poker variants top the list, often sitting above 98 percent with correct strategy. Slots vary more widely, from the low 90s to the mid-90s.