How do slots work and what is their payout (RTP)?

RTP (Return to Player) is the THEORETICAL return-to-player percentage, which shows how much money from all bets is returned in the long run. RTP is calculated based on a large number of spins, usually in the millions or even billions.

There is also slot volatility. High volatility can lead to big wins and losses in a short time, while low volatility can provide more stable but smaller wins.

And how could we forget randomness!? The results of each spin are independent of one another, and the random number generator (RNG) determines the outcome of each spin.

Here are a couple more articles about RTP.

… I’ll share my subjective opinion, every provider has its own internal policy, they stay quiet about it, and they don’t publish exact numbers. And the potential return to player (RTP) is different for every slot, as is volatility. And as for 1,000 spins on a $100 deposit, that’s just a drop in the ocean, and you shouldn’t count on it paying off. It all depends on the player’s “luck” and the casino’s honesty.

P.S. I try not to “spin” slots for too long myself, I just jump in for a short session hoping to hit something).

Considering that the overwhelming majority of players are losing😁 I think the word ,, theoretical ,, should be replaced with something else)

Yes, supposedly the indicator applies to a large number of spins, well then it would be logical for the distribution of losing players, winning players, and players who break even to trend toward 95%, but as for my subjective opinion, in fact the rtp fluctuates around 50%, and based on my observations, in gambling around 80% of players are losing over the long run, 10% break even, and about 5% are in profit, and even then they are under special scrutiny.

Hello, dear player!

In general, RTP is calculated in programs that imitate a slot’s operation and simulate numerous spins. The calculation formula is as follows:

1. The amount of money put into the machine and the amount returned to players are determined. For example, 1 200 000 and 1 085 000 rubles. The second figure will always be lower – it ensures profit for the casino.
2. The winnings are divided by the total amount invested. For example, 1 200 000 / 1 085 000 = 0.9042.
3. The resulting number is converted into a percentage – multiplied by 100. For example, 0.9042 to 1 is roughly 90% RTP.

Simply put: the total of winnings is divided by the total of bets, and all of that is multiplied by 100.

It is hard to say how everything actually works there. Some people say that the return percentage – RTP should be calculated from at least a million spins. Then the percentage will be more or less close to reality. A slot can eat through 1,000 spins without bonuses, and then suddenly have a streak of x100 wins. Most likely, it depends on the total amount of money invested in the game.

How can RTP be 95% – 97.5%? If the casino has to pay employees, order ads, pay for traffic, plus there are fees for payment channels, and the providers themselves also run tournaments, which means they need money too… I do not really believe in RTP… well, I do believe it, but I think the figure there is more like 60%-70%, what do you think? There is no public information on RTP online, and a ton of players do not get back the 97% they put in

In practice, RTP is calculated not by the number of spins and not by an individual player’s bankroll, but as the return percentage from the total amount wagered over a very long period. So you should not expect that after 1000 spins on a $100 slot, it will definitely leave you with $97. Over a short session, you can either multiply your deposit several times over or lose it completely.
RTP is a long-term mathematical characteristic of the game, not a guarantee of results for a specific gaming session. That is why when choosing a slot, I always look not only at RTP, but also at volatility, because it affects the final result no less.