What Does RTP Mean?
Return to Player (RTP) is the percentage of virtual currency a game is expected to return to you over time. This value is calculated based on millions of spins. A slot with an RTP value of 96% is expected to return 96 of every 100 Gold Coins played on average. However, it’s important that you know that this value does not directly reflect in your next spin, or even the next ten. It’s an average designed to give players a rough overview of a slot’s return rate.
Most casino-style slots at sweepstakes casinos typically come with an RTP between 94% and 97%, and you’ll find this value displayed prominently in the game’s info tab. If you’re trying to weigh up the
best sweepstakes slots, looking at the respective RTP is a great starting place.
How Volatility Affects Possible Virtual Currency Returns
Volatility is sometimes called variance, and it gives an indication of how frequently a game will give a return and also the size of each reward. A lower volatility slot can give you smaller returns more often, which is a great way to keep your Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins balanced and allow for longer sessions without large swings.
A higher volatility slot works the opposite way. You’ll be spinning for longer periods without any virtual currency returns, but when you do get a successful spin, your reward will be larger. Medium volatility sits in between the two.
When playing at
online sweepstakes casinos, we recommend you start with some lower volatility titles first. That way you won’t immediately burn through all of your virtual currencies, and you can get a good feel for how a game works. While games with higher volatility feel more fast-paced and exciting, you’ll have to be aware that you can go long stretches without winning virtual currencies.
| Features | Low volatility | High volatility |
| Size of potential virtual currency returns | Smaller, more frequent virtual currency returns | Large virtual currency returns, but they don’t arrive very often |
| Balance swings | More consistent over the course of a session | Bigger ups and downs |
Pros and Cons of RTP Vs Volatility
Pros and Cons
- Volatility and RTP ratings are verified
- Helps you find a game that suits your playstyle
- Pace your expectations in a game
- RTP vs volatility are not a guarantee
Conclusion: Game Smarter by Understanding RTP and Volatility
While RTP and volatility are not the same thing, they both can offer valuable insights into how a sweepstakes slot game actually works. A higher RTP usually indicates better virtual currency returns, though keep in mind that this is an average calculated over millions of spins and it does not reflect just a single game round.
Volatility, on the other hand, gives some indication of the virtual currency reward frequency and size. Lower volatility titles will return smaller virtual currency rewards more often, while a game with high volatility will not return virtual currency for longer stretches of time, but when you do land a successful spin, the virtual currency reward is bigger. Taking a few moments to check the RTP and volatility of a game can help you find titles that suit your playstyle as well as play more sensibly with your virtual currency balance.
Find out more about RTP and volatility in casino-style games at sweepstakes casinos when you visit any of the links here.
FAQs
🎰 Does a Higher RTP Mean That I Win More Virtual Currency?
No, it does not. RTP is a theoretical calculation made over millions of individual spins, so it's not a direct reflection of a single spin or game round.
📊 Where Can I See a Game’s RTP and Volatility Ratings?
You can find this information in the game’s info tab. There you’ll find each rating alongside the paytable and special features.
đź’° Is It Worth Always Picking the Highest RTP Titles?
No. Some games with a high RTP also come with higher volatility, which could see you spinning for long stretches of time without landing any wins. It’s all about balance and finding a game that suits you.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Mac Douglass
as part of our fact-checking process.
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