Explaining Casino Payout Percentages
The closest thing to a measurable benchmark players use in online casino discussions is RTP (Return to Player). RTP shows the theoretical percentage of money wagered that a game is expected to return over a long period of time.
“Over time” is crucial. RTP is usually calculated across thousands, or even millions, of spins or hands. Because variance heavily affects short-term results, a single session may look nothing like the stated RTP.
What Payout Percentage Should You Look For?
Every casino game is different. Some return more to players than others on average. An RTP above 97% is generally considered strong. You won’t see 100% because casinos don’t work that way. It would mean no house edge. Depending on the rules and how you play, table games like baccarat and blackjack can sit near the top end. A few pokies also reach or exceed 97%, though they’re less common. RTP is typically set by the game provider rather than the casino.
So, how is the typical payout calculated? As noted above, a game’s payout percentage varies by provider, features, and mechanics. Most games list a specific RTP in the game details. That number is defined by the developer and calculated using a standard formula:
Return to Player = (Sum of Wins / Sum of Bets) × 100%
RTP isn’t a live stat and doesn’t predict what will happen next. It’s a theoretical result based on long-run testing (simulations or extended play). It also doesn’t account for volatility, meaning how often a game pays, or how large those payouts tend to be.
Defining “Profitable” Pokies
“Profitable” can mean different things depending on your goal.
If you want steadier play, look for higher RTP and lower volatility, typically smaller wins that land more frequently. If you’re chasing rare, large payouts, high-volatility pokies may be more appealing, but they often come with longer losing stretches. Volatility is usually grouped into three types:
High
Fewer wins, but bigger potential payouts
Medium
A balanced option between wins and payouts
Low
More frequent wins, usually smaller returns
Volatility affects how a game feels and how quickly (or slowly) your bankroll can swing, but it doesn’t remove the house edge.
Gameplay Mechanics
Extras like multipliers, wilds, respins, and bonus rounds can give you more chances to win, at least in the short term. Megaways and Avalanche (cascading reels) are examples of game engines designed to create more ways to win and more activity. These mechanics can also increase volatility or reduce the base payout profile. Higher risk often means higher swings.
House Edge
The house edge is the built-in advantage the casino has. It’s simply 100% minus RTP. That means the house has a 4% edge in a game with 96% RTP. That margin is how casinos make money, and why the math usually works against the player over time.
How House Edge Works in Practice
A slot with a 4% house edge “costs” about $0.40 per $10 wagered on average over time. It won’t feel consistent from session to session. You could win quickly or lose quickly, but over the long run, results tend to move toward the casino’s advantage.
How Higher RTP Affects Your Odds
A simple way to see RTP in action is to compare American roulette and European roulette. The rules and payouts are mostly the same, but the return is different.
| RTP | House Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 American roulette | 94.74% | 5.26% |
| 🇪🇺 European roulette | 97.30% | 2.70% |
Why? European roulette has one zero (0), while American roulette has two (0 and 00). That increases the number of possible outcomes from 37 to 38, lowering your expected return while payouts stay the same (like 35-to-1 on a single number). In general, a higher RTP does mean better long-term odds.
Best Tips to Boost Your Winnings at Online Casinos
There’s no way to guarantee profit at an online casino, but you can make choices that improve long-run value and reduce risk.
Choose High-RTP Games
RTP is one of the best metrics for comparing casino games. In general, higher RTP means better long-term returns. For skill-based games like blackjack, poker, and baccarat, published RTP assumes reasonably good play. If you’re new, your real results may be worse until you improve.
Get Real Value from Welcome Bonuses
Bonuses can improve value, and welcome offers are usually the largest. Packages may include free spins, matched deposits, cash rewards, no-deposit offers, cashback, and more. Read the fine print. Big bonuses can come with strict wagering rules, bet caps, or game restrictions that reduce their real value.
Get Familiar with Progressive Jackpot Mechanics
Progressive jackpots can be fun, but the biggest wins are extremely rare. If you want to chase them, try the demo version first so you understand the symbols, features, and bonus flow before risking real money.
Try Low-Volatility Games
Low-volatility games don’t usually deliver huge wins, but they hit more often. They also tend to allow smaller minimum bets, helping your bankroll last longer and reducing risk.
Practise Bankroll Management
Set a budget before you play and stick to it. Use deposit limits, session limits, or other tools where available. Make sure you’re playing with money you can afford to lose. Most importantly: don’t chase losses. Trying to win it back often leads to bigger mistakes and higher spend.
Test Different Casinos
Welcome offers can help you try different casinos with less risk, especially if you use bonuses carefully. Before depositing, make sure the casino is trustworthy and that the bonus terms aren’t overly restrictive.
Audited vs Unaudited Payout Percentages
Picking a high-payout casino is only one part of the process. The other part is trust. A casino can make any claim, so it helps to look for transparency and third-party verification. You can reduce risk by checking audit history, licensing, and independent testing.
⚠️ Don’t Play at a Casino Without Published Payout Information
If a casino doesn’t show RTP info, won’t provide payout reports, and support can’t explain the numbers, that’s a red flag. Lack of transparency may indicate poor standards, or worse.
✔️ Only Play at Casinos Audited by Trusted Organisations
Look for proof of oversight, including:
- Verify the casino’s licence on both the casino site and the regulator’s site
- An eCOGRA certificate (supports transparency, player protections, and fairness)
- Testing from recognised labs such as Gaming Labs International (GLI) and BMM Testlabs
Independent reviews can also help you judge a casino’s reliability.
Payment Methods for Faster Withdrawals
Fast withdrawals matter. Waiting weeks to cash out can make even a big win feel frustrating. If quick payouts matter to you, choose casinos and payment methods known for fast processing.
| ⛃ Cryptocurrency | Crypto casinos often have the fastest withdrawals. With coins like Bitcoin or Litecoin, you may receive funds within 24 hours (sometimes faster). |
| 💸 E-wallets | E-wallets are popular because they’re fast and convenient. Withdrawals can be processed within hours. |
| 🏦 Bank Transfer | Bank transfers are common but usually slower, often around five business days. |
| 💳 Debit Cards | Debit card withdrawals can also take 3 to 5 business days, and not all cards support smooth withdrawals. |
BetPokies notes that many players choose crypto because it can be faster and more accessible, and they often recommend stable options like USDT.
Clearing Up Common Gambling Myths
Casino strategy is full of myths. Here are a few worth clearing up:
| 🔴 Playing high-RTP games brings more wins. | 🟢 In the short term, RTP doesn’t tell you win frequency or win size. It’s a long-run average. If you want more frequent hits, volatility is usually the better clue (though wins tend to be smaller). |
| 🔴 Progressive jackpots are an easy path to big money. | 🟢 Jackpots can be life-changing, but they’re rare by design. Jackpot-slot RTP is often similar to other slots, but the prize pool is funded differently. |
| 🔴 Table games cannot be profitable. | 🟢 Games like blackjack and baccarat can have high RTP, and skill and decision-making can improve outcomes compared to casual play (especially in blackjack). |
| 🔴 It is easy to outsmart the system. | 🟢 Casinos have a built-in edge. Cheating or manipulation is illegal and can lead to bans, withheld withdrawals, or legal consequences. |