Most players assume a slot has one RTP. Many popular games actually ship in several versions, and the casino chooses which one to run. The game looks and plays the same.
RTPTrack, which monitors UK casinos, found Gates of Olympus running at 96.50%, 95.50% or 94.50% depending on the casino, and Book of Dead anywhere from 96.21% down to 87.25%.
What the difference costs
At 400 spins an hour with a $1 bet:
| RTP | House edge | Average cost/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 96% | 4% | $16.00 |
| 94% | 6% | $24.00 |
| 92% | 8% | $32.00 |
| 88% | 12% | $48.00 |
An 88% version costs three times as much as a 96% one, and you would never notice by playing it.
How to check
Open the game's info or help screen and look for "RTP" or "theoretical return". In the UK, RTPTrack compares which version each casino runs.
Picking a higher-RTP version makes your money last longer. You still lose over time. Try both numbers in the slots calculator to see the gap over a year.
Sources
- RTPTrack: Deployed slot RTP at UK casinos