What is RTP?
RTP (return to player) is the percentage of all money wagered on a game that it pays back to players over millions of rounds. A pokie with 97% RTP returns A$97 for every A$100 wagered across that huge sample, on average.
The other side of RTP is the house edge, the casino’s built-in margin. A 97% RTP means a 3% house edge: the lower the RTP, the more the casino keeps over time.
RTP is a long-run average. It tells you nothing about a single session, where you can win big or lose quickly whatever the percentage. Use it to choose better games over time, not to predict tonight’s result.
What counts as a good RTP?
A good RTP depends on the game type:
- Pokies: the average is around 96%. Above 97% is very good, and below 94% is worth avoiding. A few titles reach 99%.
- Blackjack: around 99.5% with good rules and basic strategy.
- Baccarat: about 98.9% on the banker bet.
- Roulette: European and French roulette (single zero) pay back far more than American roulette (double zero).
- Video poker: many versions pay above 99% with correct play.
This is what different RTPs cost you on average for every A$100 you wager:
Which pokies have the highest RTP?
Pokies make up most of a casino’s library, so picking high-RTP titles matters most. These are well-documented high-RTP pokies found at many casinos that accept Australians:
The figures are the highest RTP version each provider publishes. Many pokies ship in several RTP versions, and a casino can choose a lower one, so check the game’s info screen at your casino.
Which table games have the highest RTP?
Table games generally pay back more than pokies. Typical figures for common versions:
Exact RTP depends on the version and the house rules, so treat these as typical ranges rather than guarantees and check each game’s info screen.
How do you check a game’s RTP?
You can check a game’s RTP in four steps before you play:
- Open the info screen: most pokies show the RTP in the paytable, the “i” menu or the game rules.
- Find the RTP figure: some games list one figure, others a range for different features such as bonus buys.
- Compare with the provider’s figure: if the casino’s version shows a lower RTP than the provider’s highest version, the casino runs a lower setting.
- Choose accordingly: play another game, or the same game at a casino that runs the higher version.
A casino that hides RTPs, or shows none at all, is one to be wary of.
What is the difference between RTP and volatility?
RTP tells you how much a game pays back over the long run. Volatility tells you how that money is paid out:
- Low volatility: frequent small wins and a steadier balance.
- High volatility: rare but larger wins, with long losing runs in between.
Two pokies can both have 96% RTP and still feel completely different. Match volatility to your budget: a small balance lasts longer on low volatility pokies. Our guide on how to win on pokies explains both in more detail.
How do bonuses affect your payout?
A bonus can lower your real payout even at a high-RTP casino. Check three terms:
- Wagering: a 35x requirement on a A$100 bonus means A$3,500 in bets, which costs about A$140 on average at 96% RTP.
- Game contribution: table games and high-RTP pokies often count for less, or nothing, toward wagering.
- Maximum cashout: some bonuses cap what you can withdraw, whatever you win.
Our guide to casino bonuses shows how to work out what an offer is really worth.
Is a best payout casino the same as a fast payout casino?
No. A best payout casino pays back a high share of your bets over time through high-RTP games. A fast payout casino gets your withdrawal to you quickly. The best choice does both: high-RTP games and withdrawals within hours through crypto or e-wallets. Our list of fast payout casinos in Australia shows measured payout times.
How do we check casinos for payouts?
We read each casino’s terms, payments page and game lobby, and compare them with third-party reports. For payouts, we check:
- Game library: how many games the casino offers and which studios supply them.
- Audit seals: whether the providers are tested by a recognised lab.
- Withdrawals: processing times, daily and monthly limits and any fees.
- Terms: deposit wagering rules and bonus conditions that reduce what you can cash out.
Why should you choose audited payouts?
Audited payouts are your protection against inflated RTP claims. A game advertised at 97% that really pays 92% is misleading, and an independent audit is how you can tell. The most recognised testing labs are:
- eCOGRA: one of the most trusted auditors in the industry.
- iTech Labs: widely used independent testing for random number generators and RTP.
- Gaming Labs International (GLI): long-established and accepted in many jurisdictions.
If a casino’s games carry these seals and the casino publishes RTPs openly, you can trust its payout figures far more than a headline.
Which casino games pay out the most?
Blackjack, baccarat and video poker pay out the most of the common casino games.
Blackjack
Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino. The goal is to beat the dealer without going over 21, and basic strategy brings the RTP to around 99.5% with good rules. Small rule changes, such as a 6:5 payout on blackjack instead of 3:2, cut the RTP noticeably, so check the rules before you sit down.
Baccarat
Baccarat is simple: you bet on the player, the banker or a tie. The banker bet pays back about 98.9%, even after the usual 5% commission. The tie bet has a much higher house edge and is best avoided.
Video poker
Video poker combines poker hands with the pace of a pokie. Many versions, such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, pay back more than 99% with correct play, but only on full-pay paytables.
Which software providers have high RTP games?
Some providers are consistently strong and transparent on RTP:
- NetEnt: several classic titles around or above 98%.
- Playtech: a broad catalogue that includes Ugga Bugga.
- Relax Gaming: home to Book of 99.
- Games Global (Microgaming): a huge catalogue of pokies and table games.
- Evolution: the leader in live dealer games, where table-game RTPs are strong.
How can you gamble responsibly at high payout casinos?
A high RTP lowers the average cost of playing, but every game still has a house edge, so you lose money over time. Set a deposit limit and a time limit in your casino account before you play, and never chase losses. BetStop does not cover offshore casinos, so use each casino’s own self-exclusion tool if you need a break.
Our guide on how to stop gambling lists the tools that work at offshore sites. If gambling stops being fun, Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
