What is Return to Player?

RTP is an abbreviation of Return to Player. You may come across the term in game information, but what does the return to player actually mean, and how does it influence your gaming experience?

In short, it describes the percentage of all bet money that a game is expected to return to players over a long period of time.

• For example, a return to player of 96% means that on average, the game returns 96 euros for every 100 euros of money bet on a game.
• The remaining 4% is known as the house edge, which is the casino’s mathematical advantage built into the game over the long run.

Why Return to Player matters when choosing a game

Understanding a game’s return to player can help you make a more informed decision when selecting what to play. It also makes it easier to understand the variation in game outcomes and provides a clearer picture of why a single gaming session does not tell the whole story about long-term success.

Over the long term, games with a higher return to player typically deplete your bankroll more slowly and return more money to players on average. This is why return to player percentage is particularly useful when comparing games as objectively as possible.

Some games have multiple return to player versions, but the casino cannot change them during gameplay. The available versions are determined by the game provider and the selected version remains fixed. At Tuplaa Casino, games are available with the highest return to player percentages offered by the providers, helping players enjoy a more favourable long term gaming experience.

How is Return to Player calculated?

Although return to player is presented as a simple percentage, it is based on mathematical calculations:

Return to Player = (Total winnings paid to players / Total amount bet) × 100%

For example: Players bet €100 and win €95. The RTP is therefore calculated as: 95 / 100 × 100% = 95%

This does not mean that you personally will receive 95 euros back if you bet 100 euros. Instead, it means that all players combined will receive this amount on average over a long period.

What Is considered a good Return to Player?

Generally, a return to player (RTP) percentage of around 96% or higher is considered good for online casino games.

Many modern slots fall between 96-97%, while older or physical machines may have significantly lower percentages. Examples of high return to player slot games include Legacy of Dead, Viking Runecraft, Sweet Bonanza, Myth, and Book of 8 Riches.

Even the highest return to player percentage does not guarantee winnings, as return to player values are not reflected in individual gaming sessions. Each spin is completely random, and differences between return to player percentages only become noticeable over time.

Return to Player does not tell the whole story

Return to player percentage should not be the only factor to consider when evaluating a game. Other important aspects include:

• Game mechanics
• Volatility
• Special features

Slot games may offer various special features, such as bonus rounds or bonus buys, where the return to player percentage may differ from that of the base game. These features do not change the game's theoretical return to player, but they may affect the gameplay experience.

Is Return to Player available for table games as well?

Casino table games, such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat, each have their own return to player percentage. Unlike slots, many table games give players an opportunity to influence the theoretical return through their gameplay decisions. In Blackjack for instance, using an optimal blackjack strategy can help achieve a higher return to player percentage, while playing without a strategy may reduce the game's expected return.