Guide · 2026

What Is RTP in Online Casinos?

RTP is one of the most misunderstood casino terms. This guide explains what it measures and what it does not.

What RTP Means

RTP stands for Return to Player. It is a theoretical long-run percentage describing how much a game is designed to return as prizes over a very large number of plays.

An RTP of 96% does not mean a player should expect £96 back from every £100 in one session. Short-term outcomes can vary substantially.

RTP Example

TurnoverWins returnedActual RTP
£1,200,000£1,085,00090.42%

The UK Gambling Commission explains actual RTP as total wins divided by total turnover.

RTP vs Volatility

  • RTP describes a long-run average.
  • Volatility describes how uneven results can be.
  • Neither predicts the next spin or hand.

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