Key points
- "Payout rate" usually means return to player (RTP): the share of all stakes a game is designed to pay back over a very large number of rounds.
- RTP is set per game, and often per game version. The same slot can run at different RTPs at different casinos.
- RTP says nothing about how fast a casino pays withdrawals. That is a separate question.
- No RTP below 100% gives players an expected profit. A higher RTP means a smaller expected loss.
RTP, payout speed and payout limits
| Term | Meaning | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| RTP (return to player) | The long-run percentage of stakes a game returns | Game info or help screen; provider's rules |
| Withdrawal speed | How long the casino takes to approve and send a payout | Payment terms; see fast payout casinos |
| Payout limits | The maximum you can withdraw per day, week or month | Payment or general terms |
What RTP means in numbers
A slot with 96% RTP returns, on average, €96 for every €100 staked over a very large number of spins. The house edge is 4%. In a single session your results can be far from this, either way. Example: 500 spins at €1 is €500 staked. The expected loss is 4% of €500, or €20, and the actual outcome could be a loss of €200 or a win of €300.
Why the same game can have different RTPs
Many providers release several RTP versions of a game, for example 96%, 94% and 92%. Each casino chooses which to run. Always check the RTP shown in the game's information screen at the casino where you play, not a figure from a review.
RTP rules in regulation
Some regulators set minimum return levels. Estonia's remote gambling permit form, for example, refers to a requirement that the average amount paid to players exceeds 80% of all bets. Germany limits stakes and speed on virtual slots, at €1 per game and an average of at least five seconds per game, rather than setting a specific RTP.
How we compare
We do not rank casinos by an overall "payout percentage", because aggregate figures are rarely published or audited in a comparable way. The offer cards on this page are advertising and are not ranked by RTP. To compare games, use each game's published RTP and the table rules. See blackjack and roulette for how rules change the house edge.
Sources
- Maksu- ja Tolliamet, Remote gambling operating permit application. States the requirement that average payouts exceed 80% of stakes for permitted games. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Bayern.Recht, GlüStV 2021, § 22a. German virtual slot rules. Checked 3 November 2026.
Limitations: RTP figures are illustrative. Check each game's information screen.