by Alex Thomas | The Gamble Times, updated 9th of June, 2025.
TL;DR
Return to Player, or RTP, percentage should be one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online casino. For example, we have seen that all online casinos like to promote the game providers’ official Return to Player percentage; in reality, that’s not always the case. We analyzed 5 popular games by Pragmatic Play at five different online casinos. That said, two casinos delivered what they promised; on the other hand, three quickly dropped the percentage by two to four percent. Want to see which two? Stay tuned.
Why is Return to Player important?
Return to Player percentage is probably one of the key factors when it comes to online casino slots, alongside volatility and hit frequency. It gives you an indication of just how fair a game is and what you can expect from it. RTP, simply put, is the percentage of your money an online slot machine is likely to return to all players over a long period. For example, if a slot has a 96% RTP, you should, in theory, get back €96 for every €100 wagered. Why likely and should? Because this math is based on every 1.000.000 wagered and should not be limited to one session.
Can it be lower than the official version? Yes. Most game providers offer casino operators multiple RTP versions of the same game. Which is fine, as long as the casino operators are open and transparent with their changes. But here’s the thing, you don’t look attractive if you advertise a 94% Return to Player for a 96% RTP slot. This leads to online casinos advertising the official values and serving you something completely different.
But it’s not just marketing. The difference between the RTP and 100% is called the House Edge; the percentage the house, ie the online casino, should get. To put it simply, the lower it is, the more they make.
How to check Return to Player yourself?
Checking it is honestly quite easy on one hand, but a process on the other. As online casinos are aware of the importance of RTP, they often allow you to view the official numbers only if you create an account. That said, that’s an extra step you should be willing to make in order to make sure you are playing at a legitimate online casino.
After you have created an account, the steps you need to take are honestly quite simple. First, go to the casino lobby, then find your favorite slot, then open it. Pragmatic Play games are easiest to check, so we will be using them as an example.
Open up the slot of your choice (we went with Gates of Hades, the newest banger by Pragmatic Play) and look for the info (i) simbol:
After the information overlay is open, go to page four (in most slots) and you should clearly see what the RTP is set in the online casinos settings:
Does it match the officially tested version? Great! If not, we would advise you to reconsider your online casino of choice.
Our test: 5 Games & 5 Online Casinos
We picked the five most popular games by Pragmatic Play and put them to the test. We wanted to see just how many online casinos opt for the lower RTP option and which ones you should stay away from.
Slots tested and official RTP
| 888 Dragons | Gates of Olympus 1000 | Sugar Rush | Gates of Hades | The Dog House Megaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96,84% | 96,50% | 96,50% | 96,52% | 96,55% |
Online casinos tested
- BC.Game
- Haz Casino
- PowerUP Casino
- MrPlay
- Betspino
Test Results: Who is honest?
| Casino | Matches provider RTP? | Comment | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC.Game | ✅ All slots match | Transparent and fair across the board. | Recommended: Read our review. |
| Haz Casino | ❌ All slots lowered | Games run 2-2,5% lowered | Not Recommended |
| PowerUP Casino | ❌ Slight reductions | 888 Dragons at 95.76%, others around 94.5%. | Not Recommended |
| MrPlay Casino | ✅ All slots match | Full compliance with provider RTP. | Recommended: Read our review. |
| Betspino | ❌ 4/5 slots lowered | No 888 Dragons. All others at 94% or less. | Not Recommended |
What does this mean?
Lowering the RTP by even a small percentage can have an impact on your gameplay. Even a 1.5% RTP drop matters. Over 10,000 spins at €1 per spin:
- At 96.5% RTP: You get back €9,650
- At 94% RTP: You get back €9,400
That’s a €250 difference just for picking the wrong site.
Is lowering RTP legal?
Well, yes. As all games are provided with this built-in option, and if the Terms and Conditions specify it, it is technically legal. Since most players never venture this deep before playing, it is something worth examining. The better question is, is it ethical? No, in my opinion, it is not, and it shows the online casino’s character.
Final thoughts?
Return to Player is definitely real and something you should pay close attention to. But it’s also adjustable so don’t fall for the online casino marketing tricks with high RTP advertised. If you’re serious about your gameplay, make sure to check the RTP beforehand. Don’t let an attractive welcome bonus distract you from what really counts.
Whenever we review a casino, we always make sure to check the RTP and if there is a change, we report it. Want to learn more about RTP basics? Check our our Beginners guide.
FAQ: RTP in Online Slots
What is RTP in online casino slots?
RTP stands for Return to Player. It shows the percentage of total wagers a slot is expected to return to players over time. A 96.5% RTP means you might get back €96.50 for every €100 wagered in the long run.
Why does RTP matter?
RTP tells you how fair a slot is. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge. Even a small drop can cost you real money over thousands of spins.
Can online casinos change the RTP?
Yes. Many game providers like Pragmatic Play offer different RTP versions, and casinos can choose which one to use. They don’t always make this clear.
How can I check a slot’s real RTP?
Open the slot, click the info or help icon, and look for the RTP on one of the later pages. It should match the provider’s official version.
Do all casinos use the same RTP settings?
No. Some stick to the full RTP, while others lower it. In our test, BC.Game and MrPlay were honest. Others, like Haz Casino and Betspino, dropped the RTP by 1 to 2.5 percent.
What’s a good RTP to look for?
Stick to slots with RTPs above 96 percent. If a game runs lower, your chances get worse, even if the gameplay looks the same.
