“RTP isn’t just a number on your screen, it’s the heartbeat of every casino game. Discover how Return to Player works, how we test it, and what it really says about your chances of winning.”
Introduction
Each member of our team has made a significant contribution to what we are today. We have gained a wealth of experience through numerous tests and hours spent playing various gambling games. Our team members recorded their playing time, money spent, and winnings, all with the aim of verifying whether RTP indicators really mean anything. In fact, the RTP indicator is really useful, but many players perceive this abbreviation differently than it actually is.
Today, we recommend that you take an extra 20 minutes of your free time to read our article about what RTP really is, how to understand it, and how it will affect your game.
RTP – the simple definition (and why simple isn’t enough)
Many players consider RTP to be a momentary indicator that determines how much you will win as a percentage per session, but in reality this is not entirely true. Think of RTP as the game’s heartbeat: it doesn’t reflect what happens in one night, but what thousands of spins whisper over months.
Keep in mind that this indicator does not guarantee that the result will be achieved in one or several sessions; everything here is quite random.
Let’s consider a real situation where the RTP indicator in a slot is 97%. This indicator does not mean that if you place bets for a certain amount of time today, you will win back €97 from €100. What it means is that if you and other players play this slot over a period of several months, in most cases the return will be approximately 96%. We would like to clarify that RTP definitely refers to long gaming sessions.
Table of Contents
How RTP is calculated – from theory to real sessions
Game studios disclose the theoretical RTP that is solely dependent on the game’s mathematics: paytables, symbol weights, and bonus mechanics. This is the theoretical RTP.
If you track 1,000 spins on your own, the number will likely jump around 92%, maybe 110%. Only massive samples, like 100,000 spins, settle near the true RTP. The observed percentage could be 92% during this period. A larger run of 100,000 spins is more likely to show the observed number closer to the theoretical figure. Regulators measure RTP over many thousands of games, for some categories they reference 10,000 – 100,000 plays. That’s why regulators insist on averages: single sessions don’t tell the whole story.
To give you an idea of the scale of our testing, we perform over 5,000 spins to compile statistics, after which we record the results and give our personal opinion. 5,000 spins and more are a great way to analyze whether the RTP indicator actually matches the specified value.
Types of machines & how regulation treats RTP
Dissimilarity exists between the various type of gaming machines as regulatory bodies accord dissimilar ratings to RTP (Return to Player) in various categories. In the case of the UK Gambling Commission, the difference between random machines (relying on chance alone) and compensated machines is that the latter are programmed to vary payouts as time goes on in order to reach a particular target RTP.
In random machines, the spins or game rounds are independent, which implies that the outcome of the past does not affect the future result. These are the most prevalent in the Internet casinos and slot systems. Compensated machines, however, monitor the payout history of the player or machine to equalize gains and losses with a larger sample, and are usually present in a few land-based establishments.
Testing criteria of RTP verification are also determined by regulators such as UKGC and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Games have to be audited by licensed operators so that the theoretical RTP that is promoted is equal to the long-term statistical performance. Independent laboratories are normally involved in this testing which include eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
The transparency is an essential element of regulation: casinos are expected to post the RTP value and the information about the type of machine either in the interface of the game or on their official websites. This will enable players to make well-informed decisions and know whether they are playing with a fully randomized or a paid off system.
How we test RTP: our methodology
Now we would like to share with you one of the most confidential details, namely the points and stages of how we conduct tests and analyze RTP (Return-to-player) indicators.
- Our team discusses and agrees on the amount of the bet, as well as the number of lines that will count as winning.
- Starts a certain number of spins in sessions that are strictly monitored and statistically tracked.
- Events such as winnings, bet numbers, and balance changes are recorded in a separate document. All of this happens during the game.
- After that, the RTP indicator is calculated, which, of course, includes the standard permissible deviation from the indicators and a 95% confidence interval.
At this time, our team does not publish the results of our tests publicly, and everything remains exclusively within the team, but we are happy to share information from our side with our readers.
Games with low volatility and an RTP of 96% are most often accompanied by small wins and a stable curve graph. Games of this type are ideal for increasing your bankroll.
Games with high volatility and an RTP of 96% are most often accompanied by a long series of losses, but the winnings are quite large. Perfect for players who like to take risks.,
Games such as Blackjack depend directly on the player’s strategy, with each user choosing their own tactics that they believe will work in a particular game. It has been suggested that using good tactics can lead to RTP rates of 99%.
What RTP means for your bankroll and betting strategy
In order for the RTP indicator to be more than just pixels on your monitor, you need to understand it and use it correctly, regardless of how much money you have in your gaming account. If your goal is to play for a long time with a small amount on your balance, then based on our experience, we would recommend a high RTP with low volatility. If you get a thrill not from the amount in your balance, but from the feeling when your balance is about to run out and then suddenly increases several times over, then you’re better off choosing a similarly high RTP, but with high volatility.
We believe that sharing our valuable experience with you is our essential task, so do not bet more than 1-2% of your total balance on a single spin in order to enjoy the gaming process to the fullest in a long game.
Common myths and how to spot misinformation
There are many myths and misinformation circulating in the iGaming industry, and we believe it is necessary to tell you about those that we encounter quite often and refute each of them.
RTP is fixed and unchanged
This is not even a myth, but simply a misunderstanding of the RTP indicator. Many users believe that RTP always displays the same number, but this is not the case. The RTP of games may vary depending on the operator, because providers release several RTP versions for different operators or jurisdictions
RTP guarantees winnings
There is a rumor among inexperienced players that the higher the RTP, the more likely you are to win when spinning. This is not entirely true. You can stick to the RTP if you play for a long time and make a significant number of spins. The more spins you make, the closer and more accurate your result will be to the RTP.
RTP takes bonuses and free spins into account
This myth stems from players believing that RTP is calculated based on both the main game and bonuses and free spins. Unfortunately, this is not the case! RTP usually refers only to the main game and does not include bonuses or special offers.
Games with an RTP of 100% or higher exist
The mistaken belief that online casinos can offer games with an RTP of 100% or more. If this were the case, online casinos would have zero revenue in the long run.
How to verify that a casino/game is honest
To make it really easy for you to understand whether an online casino or game is safe in the future, we are ready to share our strategy with you, which is almost always accurate. Personally, when reviewing online casinos, we pay attention to factors such as:
Presence of a casino license! It is important to understand that the online casino industry has many licenses, some of which are good and some of which are bad. The safest are the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) and MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) as they ensure high standards of fairness and player protection. Both licenses, like others in their jurisdiction, must comply with requirements for transparency, data protection, combating problem gambling, as well as monitoring and preventing money laundering. Players who play at online casinos licensed by these two licenses can seek help from the jurisdictions in case of a dispute between players and the platform.
When choosing an online casino, you need to make sure not only that it has a license, but also that the games are independently audited. This way, each of you can be sure that the casino games are truly fair and that the results are not manipulated by third parties.
eCOGRA is one of the leading independent organizations that certifies online casinos. It conducts rigorous checks on random number generators to ensure the fairness of slots and other games.
iTech Labs is a highly reputable company in the iGaming market that conducts a range of tests and certifications for online games. Like eCOGRA, they conduct RNG testing, but they also analyze game mechanics.
Conclusion
Our team hopes that after reading this article about RTP, you will have no questions or assumptions left. Now you should have a clear understanding of what RTP is, how it works, and what you need to check to be sure of the fairness of an online casino. The Bonusmaniac team would like to thank each of you for your trust in our platform. Remember that it is here that you can find the safest and most transparent online casinos thanks to our reviews.
FAQ – Safe Online Gambling: Common Questions Answered
Den
Head of BonusManiac
As the head of our company, Den lives and breathes casinos. He’s seen the trends come and go and knows what really matters to players. His reviews, guides, and tips are fueled by deep knowledge and a sharp instinct for what works. Den keeps it real, always focused on helping you feel confident and ready on your gambling journey. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
