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Guide · Games Updated 27 Oct 2026

What is RTP at new online casinos?

RTP, return to player, is the share of all money staked on a game that it pays back over millions of rounds. A 96% slot keeps €4 of every €100 staked on average.

It says nothing about a single session. Volatility decides how bumpy the ride is.

By Chloe O'Sullivan | Guides

How RTP works

RTP is set in the game's maths and checked by test labs. Over a very long run, total payouts approach it; over an evening, anything can happen. A bonus does not change a game's RTP, but wagering turns its edge into a cost you pay to clear the bonus.

Expected loss by total amount staked
StakesAt 96% RTPAt 94% RTP
€100€4 expected loss€6 expected loss
€1,000€40€60
€5,000€200€300

Where to find it, and why it varies

Open the game's information or help screen. Many studios release the same slot in several RTP versions, for example 96%, 94% and 92%, and the casino chooses one. The same game can therefore return more at one casino than another.

Examples

GameStudioRTP (highest version)
Blood SuckersNetEntAbout 98%
Book of DeadPlay'n GOAbout 96.21%
StarburstNetEntAbout 96.09%
Gonzo's QuestNetEntAbout 95.97%
Mega MoolahGames GlobalAbout 88% (part feeds the jackpot)

European roulette returns 97.30% and blackjack with basic strategy about 99.5%.

RTP and volatility

Low-volatility games pay small wins often; high-volatility games pay rarely but bigger. Two slots with the same RTP can feel completely different. Choose a high RTP for value and a volatility that suits your budget.

Questions

RTP: questions

What does RTP mean?

Return to player: the share of stakes a game pays back over the long run.

Is RTP the same at every casino?

Not always. Many slots have several RTP versions and the casino picks one.

Is RTP more important than volatility?

RTP sets the long-run cost; volatility sets how a session feels. Both matter.

Does a bonus change the RTP?

No. It changes what you must stake before withdrawing.

Responsible gaming

Play only if you are 18+ and it stays fun

These rules apply on every page of this site. A young casino has less history to judge it by, so the limits matter more.

18+ only

Adults only, everywhere

You must be 18 or older, and older in some countries. A casino can ask for ID before your first withdrawal, and new casinos often do.

Responsible gaming
New brands

Start small with an unknown casino

Deposit an amount you would accept losing to a failed withdrawal, and request a small cash-out early to see how the casino handles it.

How we review new casinos
Limits

Set limits before the welcome offer

Bonus wagering keeps you playing longer. Set a deposit limit and a time limit in the account before you claim.

Set your limits
Help

Free, confidential support

If playing stops being fun, talk to someone. Gambling Therapy offers free support in many languages.

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