Key takeaways
- RTP and house edge always add up to 100%.
- House edge is a long-run average and does not predict any single session.
- Expected loss is turnover multiplied by house edge, so playing faster or staking more costs more.
- Blackjack, baccarat banker bets and European roulette have a much lower edge than most slots.
- Volatility is separate from RTP and describes how uneven your results are.
RTP in plain English
RTP stands for return to player. It is the percentage of all the money bet on a game that the game pays back to players over a very long period. A slot with 96% RTP returns £96 for every £100 staked on average, across millions of spins. The other £4 stays with the casino.
RTP is calculated from the game’s maths, then tested by independent labs. It describes the game, not your session. You will never get exactly £96 back from £100 staked.
House edge is the same number flipped
House edge is the casino’s long-run profit as a percentage of what players bet. The formula is simple:
house edge = 100% - RTP
So a 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge, and a 99.5% game has a 0.5% edge. People tend to use RTP for slots and house edge for table games, but they describe the same thing.
House edge by game
The ranges below are for standard rules. Rule variations can move them, so treat them as a guide.
| Game | House edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack, basic strategy, good rules | About 0.5% | About 99.5% |
| Baccarat, banker bet | 1.06% | 98.94% |
| Baccarat, player bet | 1.24% | 98.76% |
| Baccarat, tie bet | 14.36% | 85.64% |
| Craps, pass line | 1.41% | 98.59% |
| Video poker, 9/6 Jacks or Better, perfect play | 0.46% | 99.54% |
| European roulette (single zero) | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| American roulette (double zero) | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Online slots | Commonly 3% to 6% | Commonly 94% to 97% |
The baccarat figures assume an eight-deck game and the standard 5% commission on banker wins. The tie bet is a clear example of how a bet that pays 8 to 1 can still have a very high edge.
Expected loss: turning edge into money
The house edge matters only when you convert it into pounds or dollars. Multiply it by your total turnover, which is the sum of all your bets.
expected loss = turnover x house edge
Worked example: one hour of slots
Worked example: same turnover, different game
This is why the pace of a game matters as much as the percentage. A roulette wheel on a live table might deal 30 to 40 spins an hour, while a slot can run 500 or more spins an hour, so slots with a similar edge can cost far more per hour.
Why UK slot stake limits matter
In Great Britain, online slot stakes are limited to £5 per spin, and £2 per spin for players aged 18 to 24. The limits do not change the RTP. They do cap how quickly turnover, and therefore expected loss, can build up.
Worked example: effect of the stake cap
Volatility: the bit RTP leaves out
Two slots can both have 96% RTP and feel completely different.
- Low volatility games pay small wins often. Your balance moves slowly, and a bankroll lasts longer.
- High volatility games pay rarely but with larger wins. Long dry spells are normal, and the big wins carry most of the RTP.
Volatility changes the shape of your results, not the long-run average. A high-volatility 96% slot is not more generous than a low-volatility 96% slot. It just distributes the same return in bigger lumps.
How to check a game’s RTP
- 1
Open the game information
Find the menu, help or paytable icon inside the slot and look for the RTP figure.
- 2
Look for a range
If the page shows several RTP values, the casino may be using the lowest. Check which one applies to the version you are playing.
- 3
Compare the same title elsewhere
If a casino shows a lower RTP than another casino for the same game, choose the higher one.
- 4
Note the volatility
Choose a level that fits your budget. Low volatility lasts longer on a small bankroll.
What RTP cannot tell you
RTP also ignores bonus terms. If you take a casino bonus with wagering requirements, the effective cost of play can go up or down. Our guide to how casino bonuses work covers the calculation.
Short-term luck and long-term averages
The house edge only shows itself over a very large number of rounds. In a short session, luck dominates. If you play 100 spins of a 96% RTP slot at £1, the average cost is £4, yet it is perfectly normal to finish £30 down or £30 up. The swings are wide because a few big wins carry much of the return.
As the number of spins grows, the results bunch closer to the average. That is why casinos are certain of their profit across thousands of players, while any single player cannot predict a session. It also means that playing longer does not help you. More spins mean more turnover, and more turnover means a larger expected loss.
Choosing games with the edge in mind
You cannot beat a negative-expectation game, but you can pick the cheaper ones to play for fun. Games with lower edges, such as blackjack with basic strategy or single-zero roulette, cost less per pound staked. Slots can still be enjoyable, but treat the money as an entertainment spend, not a way to make money.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good RTP for a slot?
Most online slots sit between 94% and 97%. Higher is better for the player, and 96% or above is a sensible target when you can find it.
What is the difference between RTP and house edge?
They are two sides of the same number. House edge equals 100% minus RTP, so a 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge.
Does a high RTP mean I will win?
No. RTP is an average across millions of rounds. In a single session you can lose much more than the house edge suggests, or win far more.
Which casino game has the lowest house edge?
Blackjack played with basic strategy is among the lowest at about 0.5%, depending on the rules. Video poker and baccarat banker bets are also low.
Can a casino change the RTP of a slot?
Many slots are released in several RTP versions and the casino picks which one to offer. Check the game's information screen for the RTP at that specific casino.
What is volatility?
Volatility describes how a game pays out, from frequent small wins to rare big ones. It does not change RTP, but it changes how bumpy a session feels.
Try the calculators
About the author
Daniel WardFounder and Editor
Daniel Ward founded BettingSeeker and is responsible for everything published on it. He has spent his career in SEO and content for online betting and casino comparison sites, and today leads SEO for a portfolio of gambling comparison sites across several countries.
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