RTP — Return to Player explained
RTP is the theoretical share of all bets a game pays back over time.
Updated: 2026-04-30 · By the CasinoMenu.se editors
RTP stands for Return to Player. It is the average percentage of bets a game pays back to players across hundreds of thousands of spins. The remainder is the house edge. RTP is one of the few objective measures you have when comparing games — but it tells you nothing about a single session.
How do you read an RTP number?
A slot with 96.21% RTP returns on average 96.21 SEK per 100 SEK wagered — averaged across millions of spins. That means the expected house win is 3.79 SEK per 100 SEK in the long run. As an individual player you can still see big wins or big losses in one session, because variance is high on short timescales.
RTP is not a promise. It is a mathematical expectation in a game engine tested and certified by third-party labs such as GLI or eCOGRA. At Swedish-licensed casinos the RTP is additionally supervised by Spelinspektionen.
Common RTP ranges
The vast majority of video slots sit between 94% and 97% RTP. Table games such as blackjack played with correct strategy can exceed 99%. Roulette is 97.3% (European) or 94.7% (American with two zeros). Live game shows like Crazy Time have a lower RTP, around 95–96%.
- Slots: typically 94–97%.
- Blackjack with basic strategy: 99%+
- European roulette: 97.3%.
- American roulette: 94.7%.
- Live game shows: 95–96%.
What RTP does not tell you
RTP says nothing about volatility (how big and how often wins land), bonus-feature frequency or how long your bankroll lasts. Two slots with 96% RTP can feel radically different: one drips small wins, the other pays a large hit roughly every 200 spins.
Some studios additionally publish several RTP versions of the same game. A slot might exist at 96.21%, 94% and 92%, depending on what the operator activates. Always check the game's info screen at the casino — the actual RTP is shown there.
Key takeaways
- RTP is an average across millions of spins, not a guarantee.
- Read both RTP and volatility to compare games meaningfully.
- Some games ship in multiple RTP versions — always check the info screen.
- House edge equals 100% minus RTP.
Frequently asked questions
Does high RTP mean easy to win?
No. High RTP only means a larger share of bets is returned over time. You can still have a long losing run on a high-RTP slot.
How do I verify RTP before I play?
Open the game's info menu inside the casino. It shows the active RTP version. The studio's own website usually lists the highest RTP variant.
Related guides
Safety
Spelpaus.se — how to self-exclude from gambling
Spelpaus is the Swedish national self-exclusion register for licensed operators. Here is everything you need to know.
Terms
Wagering requirements — how they work and how to calculate them
Wagering requirements decide how many times you must wager a bonus before the winnings are yours to keep.
Terms
Slot volatility — low, medium and high variance
Volatility describes how often and how big slot wins are.
Safety
Bankroll management — keep your play sustainable
Manage your bankroll, set limits and play at a level you can afford.
