What is Return to Player and How Does it Affect Casino Gambling?

What is RTP?

As we’ve mentioned previously, the return to player rate is a percentage that shows how much the player can get back from the casino playing a particular game.

When it comes to slots, it’s easy to figure out the maths at play using a straightforward calculation.

Let’s assume a theoretical RTP of 100%. That means that for every $50 you bet, you’d expect to win the same $50 back.

As a result, neither you nor the casino win nor lose.

If the RTP rate is above 100%, the casino will lose money in the long run.

It’s no surprise you can’t find these lying around, as they go along with casinos that run out of business – it just doesn’t happen!

How is Return to Player Calculated?

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a maths genius to calculate the RTP of a game, as you can follow a rather straightforward approach:

• RTP = Total amount won by players / Total bet amount placed by players

Again, remember this calculation represents results in the long run. When it comes to slots, it can easily mean thousands or hundreds of thousands of spins. That’s also why the actual RTP of your gambling session can vary considerably.

We’ll make a stronger case through the following examples:

First Case

1. You place $100 in a single spin
2. You win $40 back
3. Following the previous calculations, our RTP = 40/100 = 40%

Even though you won $40 in a single spin, you could as easily win $80 or $150. Each will obtain a completely different RTP value.

As a result, estimating the RTP of a game over a short period or across only a few rounds of a game is not a reliable approach.

If you toss a coin once, you have a 100% chance to land heads or 100% to land tails.

Throw it 1000 times, and the odds drastically change. That’s the basic principle behind RTP in casino games.

Second Case

1. You play 100 rounds and bet $1 on each (you still end up betting the same $100 as before)
2. After 100 rounds, you earned $98
3. The RTP of that session is the result of 98/100 = 98%

The more rounds you play, the more accurate the RTP is. The same applies to your expectations since there is no guarantee that you’ll face a similar result during your time playing.

That said, don’t go overboard. Always set spending, winning, and losing limits, and be wise with your bankroll management.

We can never forget the fact that casino games are mainly dependent on luck.

You may as easily scream “jackpot” after a single spin or spend considerable time and money to walk away with a loss. The vital perception when it comes to RTP is that it refers to wins and losses over an extended period.

Even if you lose 100 rounds in a row, nothing can predict whether or not you’ll win on the next round. You should consider the effect of the gambler’s fallacy and assume each game round is completely independent of the previous one.

Remember: when playing slots and most casino games, the previous spin has zero effect on the following one.

How to Figure the RTP of a Game

Gambling regulators make it mandatory for online casinos to reveal a game’s RTP in certain countries, and the best slot pages in Canada transparently advertise this information.

If your favourite gambling page doesn’t disclose this information, don’t worry. A little research will grant you the RTP value of the game(s) you wish to play.

We recently did a bit of our own research to come up with highest RTP casinos overall!

That value is usually the same regardless of where you play it since software providers have them tested frequently by third-party agencies.

Consider the famous slot Book of Dead slot by Play’n GO. Its return to player is currently at 96.21% and results from thousands of spins over an extended period.

Again, these get audited constantly and are approved by third-party entities within the industry.

RTP Differences: Brick-and-mortar Casinos vs Online Casinos

Online casinos exist in a vastly competitive universe.

There are many more pages, bonuses, promotions, and games available, but the competition amongst each gambling platform is fierce.

These values are even higher thanks to reduced operating costs when in comparison to the brick-and-mortar competition.

Even the best online casinos in Canada will have a team looking after your safety, promotions, customer service and several other areas, but the lack of need to hold and maintain a huge building represents considerable savings.

How Important is the RTP in a Casino?

Very, if you’re in it for the gain as most players are; after all, it’s great to witness juicy bonuses, promotions and exclusive games.

But most importantly, knowing the RTP of any game beforehand takes you a step closer to winning some money.

Do your best to learn more about the RTP of the games you prefer before you start playing.

Different versions of the same game may present very different values. Even if this percentage is by no means a guarantee – unless you’re planning to play the same game in the long run – it’s undoubtedly the best insight to moderate your expectations.

The RTP Rate in Different Casino Games

As mentioned previously, different versions of the same game can present a different RTP rate. That’s also true for each category of games, including some of the most popular amongst Canadian players.

Slot Machines

A classic example where within the same category, you can find very different values at play. Slot machines are by far the most popular casino game on earth.

It’s essential to look at the RTP of each title, as well as its volatility. You’ll notice some slots reward you more frequently with smaller wins, while others hand out bigger prizes less regularly. That adds emotion but also unpredictability to the outcome when playing.

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Pick your game well and consider most slots present an RTP somewhere between 90% and 96%. We would recommend playing anything that aims at the 95% range or above.

Roulette

The queen of any casino room, the roulette will reward you accordingly to the type of bets you place. Keep in mind there are internal and external bets in the table, which translate as follows:

• Internal bets: less frequent, but more significant wins
• External bets: more frequent, but smaller wins

It’s all a matter of risk and how far you’re willing to go. Some prefer the thrill of a big bet and accept it may turn into nothing, while others prefer a more cautious approach. Either way, playing the roulette for real money is never short of exciting.

Most importantly, it would be best if you considered that not all roulettes are created alike. Most online casinos will present you with the European and American versions.

Blackjack

It’s easy to understand why blackjack is popular amongst Canadian players. Not only are its rules simple to follow, but it also offers you endless excitement along with a fantastic RTP.

It may take you some practice to get your hand closer to this number, but with some patience and knowledge of the game’s mechanics, you may find it as rewarding as it is fun.

Our Tips to Make the Most of a Good RTP Rate

Observing the RTP of any game before you start playing is always a great tip, but what is there more to it?

We share a few essential ideas to ensure you’re not only keeping the numbers in check but also making the most of your time playing.

The Golden Rule: Walk Away While You’re Ahead

Easier said than done. Accept that the casino always has an edge, and once you find yourself on a winning streak, it may be time to stop playing.

It’s hard to trigger action against such a strong emotion – we all love winning.

But if you’re at all serious about making a profit, the best approach is to ensure you don’t lose the money you earned up until that point.

Know Each Game’s Limits

Each game has its secrets and mechanics. A slot that paid small prizes throughout its history – even if frequently – shouldn’t have you playing in the hope of winning a jackpot.

Knowing the RTP is essential, but so is it to understand more about its volatility. It all goes down to how much risk you are willing to accept and how your expectations compare to real-world results.

Each game’s design pleases a particular type of player and approach, so before anything, get to know your game’s limits and your profile as a gambler.

Play it in Demo Mode

If you’re unsure where to start, why not play the free demo? That way, you can test a game and how its bets turn out without risking a single cent.

This approach is as helpful for those starting today as it is for veterans. A “try before you buy” is always welcome on any entertainment, especially those that involve money. You’ll learn a lot about the game, but also about yourself as a player.

Establish a Budget (And Stick to It)

It’s easy to fall into an emotional response, especially if things aren’t turning out how you’d expect them to.

The most significant risk with gambling is chasing your losses. Accept that you may win, but the bigger picture tells you the house always has that edge we spoke of earlier.

Keep playing with money you don’t mind losing in return for the excitement you get from your favourite games.