Two numbers describe how a casino game behaves: RTP and volatility. Understanding them won’t make you a winner — the house always has an edge — but it will help you choose games that suit your budget and your offer.
RTP (return to player)
RTP is the percentage of all money staked on a game that it pays back over a very long run. A 96% RTP slot pays back £96 for every £100 staked on average across millions of spins. In a single session, anything can happen.
The other side of RTP is the house edge: 100% minus RTP. On a 96% slot the edge is 4%, which is what you should expect to lose on average per pound staked.
Volatility
Volatility (or variance) describes how the RTP is paid out. Low-volatility games pay small wins often; high-volatility games pay rarely but can pay big. Two slots with the same RTP can feel completely different.
Using RTP and volatility with casino offers
- Clearing wagering: lower-volatility, higher-RTP games make results more predictable.
- Free spins: you usually can’t choose the game, but you can check its RTP to estimate value.
- Table games: blackjack and baccarat have low house edges but often count little or nothing towards wagering — check the terms.
Where to find the numbers
UK-licensed casinos must publish game RTPs, usually in the game’s info or help screen. Some games are offered at several RTP settings, so check the version you’re playing.
A quick RTP and volatility example
Imagine two slots, both with 96% RTP. On the low-volatility slot, 100 spins at 10p might return small wins every few spins and finish with around £8–£11 of your £10. On the high-volatility slot, you might see nothing for 80 spins and then a single £25 win — or no big win at all. Over a lifetime of play both average the same, but they feel completely different in a single session. Understanding RTP and volatility helps you choose the ride that suits your budget, and explains why short-term results rarely match the published number.