Walk into any casino—online or land-based—and you'll hear players talk about slots being "hot" or "cold," "due for a payout," or "tight after a big win."
None of that is real.
Slots don't have memory. They don't get hot or cold. They don't know you just lost 20 spins in a row, and they don't care. Every spin is statistically independent, governed by a Random Number Generator (RNG) programmed to return a specific percentage to players over millions of spins.
That percentage? It's called RTP (Return to Player), and it's the single most important number you need to understand if you gamble on slots.
This guide explains what RTP actually means, why short-term results feel nothing like the published percentage, and how to use RTP data to choose games that give you the best chance—or at least, lose slower.
The bottom line: RTP is real. Your "system" for beating slots isn't.
RTP (Return to Player) is the percentage of all wagered money that a slot machine is programmed to pay back to players over its lifetime.
Example:
A slot with 96% RTP means that for every €100 wagered across all players over millions of spins, the slot will return €96 to players and keep €4 for the casino.
Translation:
A 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge. Over time, you're expected to lose 4% of every bet you make.
Here's where players get confused: RTP applies over millions of spins, not your session.
You sit down with €100 at a 96% RTP slot.
You might:
None of these outcomes contradict the 96% RTP.
RTP is like flipping a coin. Over 1,000,000 flips, you'll get close to 50% heads and 50% tails.
But in your first 10 flips? You might get 7 heads and 3 tails.
Slots work the same way. The 96% RTP will happen—but only after millions of spins across thousands of players.
Your 200-spin session? That’s noise.
Game developers (NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, etc.) program the RTP into the slot before release. Casinos do not control the RTP of individual games.
Reputable slots are audited before being licensed for real-money play:
These labs run millions of simulated spins to verify accuracy.
Not if they're licensed properly.
Where risk exists:
Unlicensed casinos or pirated/"fake" game versions.
How to protect yourself:
Only play at licensed casinos that publish RTP data and audit certifications.
RTP and house edge are inversely related:
House Edge = 100% - RTP
GameRTPHouse EdgeWhat It MeansSlot A98%2%You lose €2 per €100 wageredSlot B96%4%You lose €4 per €100 wageredSlot C88%12%You lose €12 per €100 wagered
You play 1,000 spins at €1/spin (€1,000 wagered):
You're losing 3× more on low-RTP slots.
Two slots can have the same RTP but feel completely different. That’s because of variance (also called volatility).
Slot A: 96% RTP, Low Variance
→ Steady small wins, bankroll lasts longer
Slot B: 96% RTP, High Variance
→ Long losing streaks, occasional huge wins
Depends on your goals:
Player TypeBest VarianceSmall bankroll, wants playtimeLow varianceChasing jackpotsHigh varianceBalanced playerMedium variance
RTP varies widely across game types.
Matches table game RTP.
Red Flag:
If a casino hides RTP, it’s a warning sign. Transparency = trust.
Myth: “This slot is due for a payout.”
Reality: Slots have no memory.
Myth: “Casinos lower RTP when I’m winning.”
Reality: RTP is locked by developers.
Myth: “RTP is higher at night.”
Reality: Time doesn't affect programmed RTP.
Myth: “High RTP = more frequent wins.”
Reality: Variance determines win frequency.
Myth: “Betting systems beat slots.”
Reality: Nothing beats a built-in house edge.
You can’t beat RTP—but you can use it wisely.
Always choose 96%+ RTP slots.
Lower RTP due to jackpot funding.
Blackjack and video poker offer >99% RTP with strategy.
RTP guarantees the house wins long-term.
RTP is the most transparent metric casinos publish—it tells you exactly how much you're expected to lose over time.
But players cling to myths about hot/cold machines, due payouts, or betting systems.
Read Next: Understanding Variance & Volitility →