How RTP Affects Your Casino Game Wins

BetMGM Nov 25, 2025, 11:17 AM
min read
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Playing at BetMGM Casino is always great entertainment but winning as you play comes down to the roll of the dice, the draw of the cards, the bounce of the pill, or the result of a computer algorithm. All the titles at BetMGM are games of chance, but that doesn’t mean you have to go into the games mindlessly.

On the contrary, BetMGM encourages fans of online slots and other games to play in an informed fashion. That information should include the RTP of the online casino game.

RTP isn’t going to tell you everything you need to know for responsible gambling practices, but it can guide your expectations for potential returns on your bets.  Understanding how RTP is calculated and what the statistic means is the starting point for that guidance.

What Is the RTP Percentage?

Whether you’re engaged in luck- or skill-based casino games, every title will have an RTP, which stands for return to player.

Some people might confuse RTP with casino game odds. While RTP is related, it is different from craps odds, for example.

There is a more straightforward answer to the question, “What is RTP in casino games?” It’s solely the percentage of all the money wagered on a game by all players that the casino returns to players over time.

RTP in Slots

RTP in slots is usually expressed as a percentage. While specific slots may be some of the best RTP casino games, some wagers in table games actually offer a better return than many slots.

A good RTP for an online slot is 96%, as you can find when you play The Wild Life Extreme. An easy way to think of it is that, for every $100 bet on the slot, the casino pays back the entire group of players a total of $96 over time.

Some slots can still rank among the casino games with the best odds, even if they have an RTP below 96%. The slot machines that win the most and the ones that pay out the highest dollar amounts may not be the same games.

Understanding Volatility vs. RTP

In slot play, RTP and volatility are like two sides of a coin. Slot volatility refers to the extent of the variance between possible results of individual bets in a slot.

Meanwhile, slot RTP is again how much of the money risked that players will collectively get back over time. A slot can be highly volatile with a high RTP, moderately volatile with a low RTP, relatively volatile with a standard RTP, and many more combinations.

A high level of volatility, as you’ll discover if you play the Spartacus Megaways slot, generally means that payouts happen less frequently but tend to be more valuable than hits on slots with lower volatility levels. The RTP adds context by telling you how the money will be divided based on the game’s volatility. 

The Role of House Edge

When you look for online casino games with high RTP, you’re also considering the game’s house edge, whether you realize it or not. House edge is kind of like the “opposite” of RTP.

The house edge represents the casino’s interest in the game. You might also think of it as the amount of money the casino “charges” you for providing the entertainment.

To provide an example, when you play the Trick of the Dead Wild Candies Megaways slot, you accept the game’s variable RTP that can go as high as 95.72%. At that rate, the house edge is the difference, which is 4.28%.

Put another way, at that RTP, the casino keeps $4.28 out of every $100 in bets on that slot. This information can help you choose the best slot bet denominations and more. 

Taking Advantage of Casino RTP

All online casino game wins are a result of getting lucky, but you can still put yourself in a position to take advantage of some good luck by making the right decisions. Making those decisions begins with understanding how slots work and the same information for any other games you want to try.

Research and Choose Games With Higher RTP Percentages

The case for choosing slots with high RTP is easy to make. As your bets are a fixed “cost,” why not maximize the potential return on that “investment?”

Finding and reading slot paytables and game details takes all of the guesswork out of your preparation. This information lists the exact RTP for the games and betting options within.

Understand the Game’s Volatility

When you’ve grasped volatility, you can manage your expectations accordingly and plan your bets correctly. For example, playing high volatility slot games means you should be prepared to possibly place several successive bets without seeing a significant return on your wagers.

At the same time, engaging with low volatility slots means that hits will be comparatively more frequent, but also likely far less valuable. These can be great choices when you want to check out a game’s features with lower denomination wagers.

Meanwhile, enjoying medium volatility slots appropriately represents a middle ground between the competing interests. You won’t get the big and rare wins, but you may not have to wait as long, either.

Manage Your Bankroll Wisely

Regardless of which games you choose, casino bankroll management is the most essential part of your betting strategy. This management includes preparation and your choices as the games play out.

The preparation includes targeting specific bets, deciding whether to try for max bet slot payouts, playing more conservatively, or mixing it up. A good plan leaves some room for you to react, too.

If you hit a run of good luck and claim some winnings, you might consider some bets with longer odds for a chance to build even more winnings, as one example of your flexibility. The key thing to remember is that your discipline in sticking to your plan is just as important as luck when you’re trying to build a sustainable gambling bankroll.

Explore Bonuses and Promotions Offered by Casinos

If you’re considering exploring a wider array of RTP options in casino games, online casino bonuses can be a great way to do so. These can give you some plays with diminished risk to your bankroll or additional benefits for placing specified bets on participating games.

Bonuses are available regularly in BetMGM’s apps and website, along with the BetMGM Rewards program. It’s essential to read all the conditions and terms of each offer to ensure it includes the games you want to play and fits your budget.

Gambling time management should also be a consideration when you are evaluating bonus offers. BetMGM strives to have deals that suit every player’s needs.

Pick Your RTP at BetMGM

Playing at BetMGM Casino gives you access to an array of RTP options. That means you can get hyper-specific with your plan to maximize your wins.

BetMGM will get you started with a grand casino welcome bonus for new players. Those perks are like a long runway to taking off with a better understanding of the impact of RTP.

Those benefits and more are at your fingertips when you register for BetMGM. Make BetMGM your RTP MVP.

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