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Understanding RTP and Why It Matters at an Online Casino
If you’ve spent even a minute playing slots at an online casino, you’ve undoubtedly come across something called RTP, which stands for Return to Player. This is almost always shown as a percentage, and it’s important for you to know exactly what it means. If you value your money and your time, you’d do well to read this quick article that explains what RTP is, breaks down slot volatility and shows how you should consider RTP when playing slots at an online casino.
What Is RTP?
The meaning of RTP is right there in the words themselves—return to player. RTP simply denotes how much of their money, on average, a player can expect returned to them given enough time. The idea of RTP and its meaning has been discussed by industry experts, such as Paygamble author Kevin Flynn, but this article is here to help if you are still having trouble understanding RTP. Take the following for example, a slot with an RTP of 97% means that if you bet $100, on average, you will get $97 back.
Now, that’s not to say that every spin will return less money than you wagered. Remember, this is on average. You can still hit the jackpot and win big, walking away with more than you put in and beating the RTP. Once you know that RTP is measured over ten or even a hundred thousand plays, you’ll realize that short-term play won’t always reflect a game’s RTP. RTP is the reason why the iGaming industry sees stunning revenue year after year, and knowing what it is can help you take a chunk of that back.
Looking at Volatility
While on the topic of RTP, you should also know how to identify slots with high and low volatility. Volatility refers to how often a slot machine pays out. Typically, a slot machine with lots of lines and different ways to win has low volatility. Your chances of winning are bigger, but the payouts are often smaller. On the other hand, slots with higher volatility tend to have fewer reels and fewer lines. You won’t win often, but when you do, the payout will be bigger than on a 5-reel slot with thousands of ways to win.
Considering RTP When Looking at Slots and Other Casino Games
RTP isn’t just found on slots; just about every casino game uses RTP as a metric, and it can often be found directly on the site itself or the site of the software provider. While RTP should be the main thing you consider, don’t forget volatility. A combination of volatility and RTP can give you greater insight into whether or not a game is worth playing.
- Low Volatility High RTP – Slots with multiple reels, progressives, minigames and more ways to win often have a higher RTP since players are winning more often.
- High Volatility Low RTP – You’ll find that traditional slots tend to have higher volatility but a lower RTP since players are winning less often. With fewer lines and reels, there are fewer ways to win.
- The Best Combination – A slot with low volatility and high RTP is ideal, as this means that you will be winning more often and losing less money in the long run compared to alternative games.
Most online casinos don’t have games with an RTP lower than 90%, but not every casino or software provider publishes their RTP statistics. You may want to avoid those casinos and games, as you will have no idea what to expect from the game and what the average return should be. Likewise, you’ll quickly find that the games included in bonuses for free spins tend to have high volatility and low RTP. This can easily change your opinion on what would have otherwise seemed like a great bonus.
House Edge vs. RTP
You may have heard the term ‘house edge‘ at casinos too, but you shouldn’t confuse it with RTP. Whereas RTP is the percentage of money returned to a player on average over time, the house edge is the odds of a game ending in the casino’s favor. When you hear house edge, you should think about games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat and sic bo. These games are all in favor of the house, with blackjack having the smallest advantage, making it a popular game for players.
With perfect strategy, you’ll win about 49.5% of the time on average in blackjack. This edge can vary from online casino to online casino, as the rules may be different. Some casinos add a triple zero to roulette, further increasing the odds of players losing. Always double-check what the house edge is and make sure that it is in line with your expectations.
Wrap Up
In short, understanding RTP is the key to succeeding in a house where the cards are stacked against you. By knowing how much is returned on average and looking at volatility, you can avoid games that are almost scams and keep more money in your wallet. Just remember that RTP is based on an average, so you aren’t technically going to walk away from every session with less money than you put in. There is always the chance that you can get lucky and hit the progressive or line up high-paying symbols. Whichever game you decide to play, do it responsibly and have fun.
ADM
Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market
Studio cites integrations with Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, Goldbet and Diecimilauno via Octavian and Light & Wonder.
Peter & Sons said it has expanded its distribution in Italy and is now live with approximately 70% of the country’s leading operators under the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) license.
The studio attributed the milestone to operator partnerships including Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, and Goldbet and Diecimilauno, with distribution supported by aggregators Octavian and Light & Wonder. Peter & Sons said the network is expected to grow further.
Italy remains one of Europe’s most established regulated iGaming markets, with concentrated operator share and extensive go-live requirements. Peter & Sons said Italian players can access titles including Barbarossa Dragon Empire, Barbarossa Revenge, and Thunderhawk.
Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Italy has become one of our most important markets, not because it was new to us, but because of how quickly it has evolved into a key part of our distribution network. Reaching 70% of the market is a strong validation of the partnerships we’ve built with leading operators and aggregators. It’s a market that demands quality, structure, and consistency, and we’re proud to see our games resonate so well within that environment.”
The post Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blue Bird Bonus
EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake
EdgeLabs has signed a new content partnership with Stake that will bring more than 50 games from the EdgeLabs portfolio to the platform, including Blue Bird Bonus, Diamond 10x and Mark of Z, alongside casino-style titles such as Emily’s Treasure and Kandy Land Keno. The agreement expands EdgeLabs’ reach with a major global operator while giving Stake access to additional multilingual content and promotional tools across key markets.
In addition to its slot titles, Stake will also leverage EdgeLabs’ casino-style games, including the fish-shooting title Emily’s Treasure and keno game Kandy Land Keno, enhancing the overall player experience within its ecosystem.
Founded in 2017, Stake has rapidly become one of the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook. With a major focus on community engagement, the platform also offers a sweepstakes casino model, providing free-to-play experiences to its users.
Similarly, EdgeLabs’ team brings decades of industry experience, building a high-quality game portfolio supported across 35 languages and 95 currencies, with reach across North America, Europe and Asia. The studio focuses on optimizing partnerships through offering bespoke content, pre-release exclusives and a fully integrated suite of promotional tools.
By combining efforts, both companies aim to accelerate their respective commercial growth objectives and further establish themselves as key players for online free-to-play entertainment.
Marina Rodov, CEO of EdgeLabs, said: “We’re delighted to take our relationship with Stake to the next level. We will now be able to work closely and mutually boost our business by providing our best-in-class games, promotional tools, and account management. We are confident that with our games and Stake’s volumes, this will be a fruitful partnership for both companies.”
Caelum Ferrarese of Stake said: “We’re very excited to begin our partnership with Edgelabs. With Edgelabs’ catalogue of top-quality slots content, combined with a close, working relationship, the sky is the limit for what we can achieve together across a wide range of markets.”
The post EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria
Bally’s Intralot S.A. (Bally’s Intralot) has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Intralot Gaming Services (IGS) has been awarded a new 15-year Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Monitoring Licence for the State of Victoria, effective 16 August 2027.
This landmark award positions Bally’s Intralot to deliver a new generation of technology, transparency and collaboration to one of the world’s most mature and highly regulated gaming markets.
Approximately 26,300 EGMs will be connected to the Monitoring System which will provide a vital role in ensuring the ongoing integrity of EGM transactions in gaming venues. It will also provide data and information on EGMs for regulatory, harm minimisation, taxation and research purposes.
Under the licence, IGS will also be responsible for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the statewide Pre-commitment System for all EGMs in Victoria, including 2628 EGMs at the Melbourne casino.
A New Technology Era for Victoria
IGS will deploy a next-generation, cloud-enabled monitoring platform designed to deliver:
• Real-time monitoring and reporting
• Advanced data analytics capabilities
• Best-in-class cybersecurity protections
• Scalable architecture to support evolving regulatory requirements
• Future-ready integration enabling seamless connectivity with venues, manufacturers and regulatory systems
“This award represents a major milestone for Bally’s Intralot and IGS and is a significant investment in the future of Victoria’s gaming technology infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and industry stakeholders to deliver a secure and transparent monitoring system that supports integrity and player protection,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of the Bally’s Intralot Group.
IGS and Bally’s Intralot will commence planning and stakeholder engagement in the coming months to support a carefully managed, smooth and seamless transition.
The post IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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