What Is RTP in Casino Games & Why Is It Important?

BetMGM Nov 24, 2025, 11:19 AM
min read
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If you’ve participated in conversations about online casino games, you’ve undoubtedly heard or seen mentions of return to player percentage. Better known as RTP, it’s a statistic that provides some objective information about games of chance.

An online casino game’s RTP can vary greatly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a game with a less-than-impressive RTP is an automatic pass. Casino games with high RTP still require luck to win, meaning that you might lose your bet at any time, regardless of the RTP factor.

Still, the RTP in online slots and other games provides context that can help you make an informed decision about which games to play. With knowledge of how to use that information, you can formulate a solid betting plan that allows you to get the most entertainment value out of the money and time you’ve set aside for online gambling.

What is RTP in Gambling?

In online gambling, the return-to-player percentage is precisely what the verbiage suggests. It’s the portion of all the money wagered on a game that the casino returns to players over time. It’s just as important to understand what RTP is not as much as what RTP means.

A common misunderstanding about RTP in casino games occurs when people believe it guarantees a certain level of winnings during gameplay. That spills into the consideration of luck vs. skill in gambling, with some players mistakenly overestimating the weight their decisions play in the results of their bets.

It’s key to remember that RTP is the money that gets returned to all players, not just you, and over time, not solely during any single session. Random number generators or the luck of the draw decide whether you will get a cut of that money on each play.

The Interplay Between RTP, Volatility, and House Edge

Another way some players may become confused is in considering the RTP versus the house edge. Adding slot volatility into the mix makes the need for clarity more critical.

The house edge refers to the casino’s advantage in the game. You can also think of it as the amount of money that the casino “charges” for providing the entertainment.

For most games, the house edge is represented by the amount of money left over after the slot’s RTP is factored in. Volatility is related but not identical.

Volatility in slots, for example, is a measurement of the variance between subsequent bets in a game. It’s the size of the gap between the value of the potential payouts and how frequently those payouts occur.

While house edge and RTP are connected for most games, RTP and volatility are less closely related. You should consider both factors when engaging in slot bankroll management because it’s possible for a game to be highly volatile and have a low RTP, highly volatile and have a high RTP, and many other combinations.

Popular Games with High RTP Percentages

BetMGM Casino is home to many slots with high RTPs, which may be important to you. Some examples include:

However, players should be aware that many casino games with the best RTP are not slots. In online blackjack, for example, the house edge can be as little as half a percent depending on how you play the game and the cards that are dealt.

How To Calculate RTP

One of the advantages of playing online casino games is that you don’t need to worry about doing the math to determine a game’s RTP. You can simply consult the slot paytables for individual games to inspect their RTP.

The paytables have the exact RTP range for all possible bets, showing you the same house edge on each potential wager. To scrutinize that information, you first need to be familiar with where to find paytables and how to read them.

With that information, you can formulate a casino slot strategy or a betting plan for any other game. You can’t eliminate the house edge, but you can plan around it.

The Significance of RTP to Players’ Potential Earnings and Gameplay Decisions

Building a sustainable gambling bankroll doesn’t happen by accident, although it requires good luck. It requires calculated risks and sticking to a plan regardless of how bets turn out.

A game’s RTP can guide in deciding which casino game to play, a crucial part of a savvy betting plan. If you’ve had a run of unfavorable outcomes, for example, you might switch to a game with a higher RTP to try to build your bankroll back up.

On the contrary, if you’ve hit a good luck streak, you might consider some wagers with a lower RTP, like the various types of jackpot slots at BetMGM. That might allow you to parlay your good fortune into even more valuable winnings.

The RTP Rundown – A Vital Tool for the Savvy BetMGM Player

RTP is an important consideration when you’re evaluating a game, but it’s only part of the equation. You should also consider the game’s rules, volatility, whether it contains the different slot features that you enjoy, and even the game’s aesthetics.

BetMGM can help you evaluate your choices with a special casino welcome bonus only for new players. With those benefits, you can try out games with various RTP statistics to get familiar with the impact of that measurement.

To get started, simply register for BetMGM. In terms of entertainment value, there is no better return than BetMGM.

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