When you browse online slots, you will often see a percentage called RTP – usually something like 95% or 96%. RTP stands for Return to Player, and it describes how much a slot game pays back to players in the very long run. It is based on millions of simulated spins and is designed as a theoretical guide, not a guarantee of what you will personally win.
For example, if a slot has an RTP of 96%, this means that, in theory, it will pay back £96 out of every £100 that players stake over a huge number of spins. The remaining 4% is the house edge, which is how the casino makes its revenue. In reality, your own short-term results can be much higher or lower than the stated RTP due to normal variance.
RTP is usually decided by the game developer rather than the casino itself. In many regulated markets, providers must have their games independently tested by approved labs before they can be offered to players. This testing checks that the game’s random number generator behaves as expected and that the long-term return matches the advertised RTP range.
You can normally find the RTP value in the game help menu or information screen. Some casinos also list RTP in their game details pages or within filters that highlight “high RTP” titles. Not every game has a very high RTP, but using it as a comparison tool can help you decide which slots are generally more player-friendly on paper.
It is important to remember that RTP does not tell you how volatile or “swingy” a slot is. A 96% RTP game can still have long losing streaks if it is designed with high volatility and big top prizes. RTP simply describes the mathematical return over time and does not guarantee individual results.
For most players, RTP is best used as one part of a wider decision. You might look for games you enjoy, with themes and features you like, and then check that the RTP is reasonable compared with other titles. Always combine RTP awareness with safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time reminders, and treat slots as entertainment rather than a way to make consistent profit.