Whenever I used to look for a new online slot machine to play, I would always stick to just one or two providers or only play Megaways fruitys or progressive jackpot fruitys with multi-million-dollar jackpots. That was until I learned about the return to player (RTP%) payout rate.
I discovered how having a high RTP payout rate can potentially boost my winnings. Playing online fruitys with a high or above-average RTP payout rate doesn’t guarantee I will win more, but mathematically speaking, I am more likely to win on a high RTP fruity over time compared to one with a much lower RTP payout rate.
With that in mind, let’s dive straight in to discover more about this important component of online fruit machines and why understanding how it works and why it’s important for some players can help you decide which ones to play when you next log in to your favourite online casino.
What is RTP, and why does it matter in online fruit machines?
Online fruit machines are computer-generated, meaning everything from the graphics, animations, sound effects and background audio are all crafted by cutting-edge computer programming and digital entertainment software, even the results/outcomes that occur each time we hit the spin button.
In other words, although there is an illusion that the reels randomly spin to produce the result, which they do to a certain extent, each spin has results that are pre-determined by a highly sophisticated mathematical algorithm program known as a Random Number Generator (RNG) with no discernible patterns.
The companies that produce these games and the sites that host them are constantly monitored for fairness and frequently tested by one of several internationally accredited, non-profit testing agencies. This ensures transparency in the industry and fosters a sense of trust that players like me aren’t getting cheated in any way.
Examples include:
- BMM Testlabs
- Gaming Laboratory International
- Quinel Ltd
- iTech Global Pty Limited
- Technical Systems Testing
- Global Lab Limited
- eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA)
How does RTP work?
Most of the fruitys I’ve played over the years from multi-award-winning, market-leading studios typically have a 92.00% to 98.00 RTP payout rate, which is pretty good, but what does all of this mean?
Theoretically speaking, if an online fruit I choose to play comes with a 96.00% payout rate, and I wager $/€/£100, then I should receive at least $/€/£95.00 back in winnings. However, the important thing to remember, which took me a while to learn, was that things don’t always work out like this.
For example, thousands of people could all be playing the same fruity as you for a similar amount of time, and if you wager a combined $/€/£1,000 on that fruity, which has a 96.00% payout rate, those same people should receive $/€/£960 back in winnings.
You might spend $/€/£50 on that fruity, and win $/€/£50.00, whereas others might spend $/€/£100 and only win $/€/£10.00, and so on. The combined total paid back would be $/€/£960, and you might see $/€/£100 or more of that, whereas the next person might not see any.
In other words, winning and losing in fruitys is still random, even though the results are pre-determined by advanced RNGs, which is why the RTP shouldn’t be the sole factor when choosing which ones to play.
So, although I do still look for online fruitys with a high or above-average RTP payout (96.00% to 97.00%), I don’t bother as much as I used to because I’ve found that whether I play fruitys with high, average, or low RTP payout rates, I seem to win and lose in relatively equal measure, and it doesn’t make too much of a difference.
Which sites tend to have the best online fruitys with high or above-average RTP payout rates?
Whenever I fancy a change of scenery and try a new site, the most reliable iGaming review site I always turn to is Johnslots (www.johnslots.com/en/) because they always have the latest insightful, unbiased and honest reviews about casino sites, games, spin bonuses, RTP and more, all conducted by experts who know what to look for in a good site.
I’ve joined countless of their top suggestions over the years and haven’t encountered any problems whatsoever. All of their featured sites are controlled by reputable operators with good standing in the industry, and the ones I join are always UK-licensed (licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission).
Final thoughts
Besides having a high or above-average RTP payout rate, some of the other key factors I consider when deciding which new fruitys to play are theme (I love the Wild West, Leprechauns, Greek Mythology, Horror, and Fishing-themed slots), which bonus features/mechanics it has (e.g., Megaways, Free Bonus Rounds, Wild Symbol features, etc.), and how big its jackpot is.
I also like to play online fruitys from specific providers, no matter how high or low the RTP rate is, provided it works well in my favourite web browser on my Android smartphone because I don’t like downloading and installing too many apps on my phone.
Some of my favourite providers I can recommend keeping an eye out for are NetEnt, Red Tiger, Blueprint, GamesGlobal, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, IGT, Playtech, Yggdrasil, and Skywind, to name a few.
Ruby Stauffer is a prominent technology blogger known for her insightful analysis and in-depth reviews of the latest tech trends and gadgets. Her blog has become a go-to resource for tech enthusiasts seeking reliable information and expert opinions on the ever-evolving world of technology.