Every casino game is designed to give the house an edge. This edge will always allow the house to win in the long-run. Therefore, focusing on trying to determine if the house always has an edge is not as beneficial as trying to determine how the edge impacts your betting.
In this article, we will provide an explanation of the house edge and return to player (RTP) concepts. These definitions will help you to understand the games you are playing and to accomplish the targets set by bonus offers. We will not include any formulas or equations that only scientists and academics are able to understand. Our interest is to discuss your real money.
What This Guide Covers
What Is RTP (Return to Player)?
RTP is the average amount of money a game pays back to the players over a large number of spins or hands. For example, a game with an RTP of 96% will pay back an average of 96 dollars for every 100 dollars wagered.
Many players confuse RTP in the following way.
RTP Is a Long-Term Average
A game with an RTP of 96% does not mean that a player will get 96$ for every 100$ wagered. The expectation is derived from millions of, or in some cases, tens of millions of games. Furthermore, a game has significant variance in the short-run. The variation means that a player can win or lose large sums of money in the short run even though the game has a negative expected value in the long run.
Imagine one million players spinning the same slot with an RTP of 96%. With an average bet of $100 per player, the house expects to win $4 million with that $100 million in spins. $96 million of that money would be returned to the players as winnings. Most players would lose their $100 bet. Variance being what it is, there are probably a few large winners among that one million spins. Your play session, individually, will probably not mirror those long term expectations.
What Counts as Good RTP?
- 96% or above is good, and many popular slots sit around this mark
- 97% to 98% is excellent, and rarer than most people realize
- Under 94% is low. It's especially common on progressive jackpot slots, because part of every bet funds the jackpot
- 99% or more is rare for slots. You'll see it more often at table games and video poker played with the right strategy
You can also see RTP in terms of cost. A slot with an RTP of 96% typically costs a player $4 for every $100 played. A game with a 92% RTP, on average, costs a player $8.
What Is House Edge?
The long-term expected outcome for the house is the house edge. For the 96% RTP slot, the house edge is 4%.
The house edges for different games affect the strategy for playing those games.
House Edge by Game Type
| Game | Typical House Edge | What That Means |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% to 1% | Lose about $0.50 to $1 per $100 wagered |
| Baccarat (banker bet) | 1.06% | One of the lowest edges in any casino |
| European Roulette | 2.7% | Single zero. Much better than American |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | Double zero adds up fast. Avoid this version |
| Online Slots | 2% to 10% | Varies wildly by game. Always check |
| Video Poker (full-pay Jacks or Better) | 0.46% | With perfect play. Some of the best odds in the casino |
| Keno | Varies widely, up to 25%+ | Traditional keno has some of the worst odds in the casino |
Blackjack is a strategic game. Players employing basic strategy on average lose 50 cents for every 100 dollars wagered. Traditional Keno costs 25 dollars for every 100 dollars wagered.
House edges dictate the cost to play games at casinos. Ultimately, a game with a house edge of 10% means players lose 10 cents for every dollar wagered.
RTP vs. House Edge: Same Coin, Two Sides
A quick math trick. We know that House Edge + RTP = 100%. So if a slot game has an RTP of 96.5%, the House Edge would be 3.5%. A Blackjack table with a House Edge of 0.5% would mean that table has an RTP of 99.5%. It’s the same math either way.
So Why Do People Use Both Terms?
It’s mostly habit. It’s usually more convenient for slot game developers to express RTP, and saying a game has an RTP of 96% sounds better than saying the game has a House Edge of 4%. House Edge is more appropriate when you are trying to determine the edge a game has for the casino.
Whether you are expressing RTP or House Edge, the key is knowing how to switch between the two.
Quick Conversion
To find the house edge, simply subtract the RTP from 100%. So if a game has an RTP of 95.5%, the house edge is 4.5%.
To get RTP, just subtract the house edge from 100%. For example, for a game of European Roulette with a house edge of 2.7%, the RTP would be 97.3%.
Why This Matters in Practice
Both ways of expressing it are acceptable. A slot game with a House Edge of 3.9% and a RTP of 96.1% is the same game.
Slot RTP: What to Look For
We have seen differences in RTP of slot games as high as 10% between the lowest and highest RTP games at the same online casino.
High-RTP Slots Worth Knowing
You’ll find these games in the “best RTP” listings. Below are the most common published RTP values. The values at your casino may be different. See Variable RTP for more information.
| Slot | Provider | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99.0% |
| Blood Suckers | NetEnt | 98.0% |
| Starmania | NextGen | 97.87% |
| White Rabbit Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 97.72% |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | Thunderkick | 98.5% |
Do your casino’s “excluded games” list and high RTP games overlap? Blood Suckers and 1429 Uncharted Seas tend to be on these lists. Since high RTP games can make bonus clearing easier, and thereby negatively impact casino finances, it is not surprising to see high RTP games on excluded games lists.
The Catch with Progressive Jackpot Slots
Slots with a progressing jackpot (e.g. Mega Moolah) may be published with an RTP of 88%-92%. Casinos may be misleading players with this information, however, because this already takes into account the jackpot and the expected return for most players is actually significantly less. In this respect, players may consider they are paying a fee to play a lottery.
Watch Out for Variable RTP
Another concept that may be confusing for players is the RTP is not always fixed and may vary based on what Casino you are playing at. A game may be developed with a particular RTP and then a Casino may decide to release the game with a lower RTP. In all cases, the game functions the same way and only difference for players is that the House is keeping a larger percentage of players' bets.
To obtain a game’s RTP: The RTP should be disclosed in the game’s rules. Contact customer support if you cannot find it.
Table Game Odds: Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat
The RTP for a slot game is always the same, but for other games like a table game, the house edge can vary. It is best to figure out the house edge of a game, and bet in a way that gives you the best outcome. It is easier to do this with table games compared to slot games.
Blackjack
For games like blackjack, the house edge can be lowered if you use basic strategy. Without using basic strategy, the edge would be 2% which means that for every 100 dollars bet, the player would lose 2 dollars. With basic strategy, the edge would be 0.5%.
Key variables that change blackjack edge:
- Fewer decks help the player. Single deck is best, 8-deck is worst
- Check whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. A dealer who stands on soft 17 is better for you
- Check the blackjack payout. 3:2 is standard. A 6:5 table adds about 1.4% to the house edge on its own, so avoid it
- Smaller rules matter too: whether surrender is offered, whether you can double after splitting and whether you can re-split aces. Each one shifts the edge slightly
Roulette
If you play roulette you should always play the game with only 1 zero, since the edge would be 2.7%. If you play the game with 2 zeroes, also known as American roulette, the edge would be 5.26%! Always look to play the game with the lower house edge. Regardless of the skills of the player, the house edge would always be in favor of the house.
Baccarat
Baccarat has a house edge of 1.06% on Banker bets and 1.24% on Player bets. Tie bets, which have a house edge of 14.4%, should not be made. In general, Banker bets are preferred.
What $1,000 in Wagers Costs You (On Average)
Blackjack has an expected loss of ~$5 when played optimally.
Betting the Banker in Baccarat has an expected loss of ~$10.60.
Roulette will cost you about $27 to $52.60 for the Euro and American versions respectively.
Slots with an expected return of 96% have an expected loss of ~$40.
Variety is the norm in the gambling world. Different games charge you differently.
Volatility: The Number RTP Doesn't Tell You
Aside from expected loss, different slots labeled the same way can have varying play styles. Both can feature a 96% return, but one can reward players frequently and the other go long stretches without rewarding players, and then pay out a large reward. This is variance.
Low, Medium, and High Volatility
| Volatility | What to Expect | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Frequent small wins, steady balance | Longer play sessions, bonus clearing |
| Medium | Mix of small and medium payouts | Balanced experience, most players |
| High | Long dry spells, occasional big hits | Chasing large payouts, bigger bankrolls |
Why This Matters for Your Bankroll
A high-variance slot with a low bankroll will likely end in a loss before a large reward is given. This is not the case with a low-variance slot. In the end return to player is irrelevant to the game, if a player cannot financially or mentally sustain play, then there is no point in playing.
Volatility can be illustrated with specific numbers. With $200 for the night, the low-vol slot might let you play for around an hour, win or lose just a bit, and not significantly deviate from your starting point. The high-vol slot might be worth it if you can win $2,000 for the night, or lose your $200 in a bit over 15 minutes.
High RTP and low to medium volatility slots are the best options for the average player as they provide a longer playing session, more frequent wins, and less big losses.
How RTP Affects Bonus Clearing
Now for the unfun part. In the wagering world, slots with high RTP allow players to keep more of their money.
Let's Run the Numbers
Let's look at a situation where a player has a $100 bonus, with 35 times the bonus wagering requirement. This means the player has to wager $3500 before the bonus can be redeemed.
Expected Balance After Clearing $3,500 in Wagering
A slot with 96% RTP is expected to keep 4% and give away the remaining 96%. This means for every $100 wagered, $4 is lost. Therefore, the player will lose $140 of the $3500 wagered. As the player started off with a $100 bonus, he will end up with a $40 loss.
If the RTP of the slot increases to 97% the amount lost will be $105.
If the RTP of the slot increases to 98%, the amount lost will be $70. So, the player will end up losing 70% of his starting amount of $100.
Therefore, you expect to lose $35 less for every 1% increase in RTP. So with an RTP of 96%, you expect to lose the entire $100 bonus. With an RTP of 98%, you expect to lose $70 of the bonus and end play with an expected balance of $30.
It is common for casinos to restrict access to high RTP games. Blood Suckers is a prime example, as it has an RTP of 98%. Compared to other games with a lower RTP, a player of Blood Suckers is expected to retain more money.
With a 35x wagering requirement and a 96% RTP slot, the bonus is expected to be lost.
Check our Wagering Requirements and Bonus Terms for more information regarding game weights and maximum bet rules.
Where to Find RTP Numbers
When understanding RTP, it's just as important to understand how to find it.
Inside the Game Itself
You can usually find the RTP within the game itself. The rules of the game are usually available with the 'i' or 'help' button.
On the Casino's Website
Some casinos give their players the information regarding RTPs. Others don't.
From the Provider Directly
If a casino can’t provide RTP info, check the game provider instead. The game provider may have that info. To find that info, you normally just have to type the game name + “RTP” into a search engine. Of course, you have to check the game’s settings for RTP info as well. It’s possible a casino set the game to a lower RTP.
Third-Party Databases
The RTP for online slots is around 96%. Some online slots may have an RTP as low as 85-90%. Some online slots may have an RTP as high as 98-99%. Some online casinos may have games that are set to a lower RTP. The RTP for each game may be checked on a 3rd party website. These websites can help you check to see if the online casino is being dishonest.
If you have to jump through hoops to find a casino’s RTP info, you should look elsewhere. A good online casino will have this info easy to find.
The Bottom Line on RTP and House Edge
When you want to evaluate the cost of playing a game, you need to look at the house edge and return to player percentage. Other game features like bonus games do not factor into the cost of playing a game.
Playing games with a high return to player percentage is always the better choice. Playing games like European Roulette over the American game is a better choice. Basic strategy in Blackjack is always a good choice. Avoiding games with a high house edge like Keno is always a better choice.
You should always be mindful of the RTP of the games you play. It makes no sense to spend time playing a game with a low RTP when you could be playing a high RTP game instead.
Want to See RTP in Action?
We highlight casino sites in our reviews that offer a good selection of games with various game providers. We also let you know which sites display game provider RTPs.
Browse CasinosFrequently Asked Questions
Can casinos change the RTP on a slot?
There are instances where the game RTP is adjustable, usually by the casino. There are regulated markets where game fairness is monitored, and players are given certain game disclosures. But players can’t always be sure of the game being played at an offshore casino. It’s always recommended to check the RTP of the game version being played.
Does a higher RTP mean I'll win more often?
No. The number of times a player wins is unrelated to the game RTP. Volatility of a game determines the frequency of wins.
Is there any way to beat the house edge?
Long-term, in order to lose as little as possible, you should look for the games with the lowest house edge and try to implement strategies to help you manage your bankroll to facilitate longer gaming sessions. In the short-term you always have a chance to win.
Why do progressive jackpot slots have lower RTPs?
A small amount of each bet on a progressive slots game contributes to the jackpot. This amount is factored into the game’s RTP. The majority of players on the game end up with a return under the RTP. A player ultimately wins the jackpot and changes his/her/their life.
Should I always pick the highest RTP game available?
From a utilitarian perspective, yes. Most people play games to be entertained and to have fun and, therefore, a game that is unpleasant to play but offers a high RTP is of no entertainment value to the player. One should play games with an RTP of at least 94% to 95% and choose the most entertaining game of the remaining options.
What's the best game for clearing bonus wagering?
When playing online slots, the key is to look for the highest RTP (Return to Player) rate, as long as it's a moderate to low volatility game. It optimizes your expected return for your wagers, given the wagering requirements. Each online casino operates differently, so make sure to go over their terms to check if they have policies that would restrict a player from accessing higher RTP games. If that's the case, you should take advantage of the higher RTP game that they allow. Also check if you are restricted from playing other games, and look for alternative games that you are not restricted from playing. You can find out more about wagering requirements on our Wagering Requirements page.
Does RTP apply to live dealer games?
Live dealer games have the same house edges as digital games. Playing basic strategy in games of online blackjack will reduce the house edge to about 0.5%. The house edge in European roulette will always be about 2.7%.
Play Smart, Play Within Your Means
Knowing RTP is good for game selection. Always take in consideration the house edge. Never try to recoup lost funds with more gambling. Set limits and leave when you're no longer having fun.
Need support? Free help is available 24/7: find your provincial helpline, or in Ontario call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 (in Alberta, the Alberta Health Services helpline at 1-866-332-2322). You can also visit the Responsible Gambling Council.