Unlike some other casino games, slot machines are games of chance. There is nothing players can do to change these odds, and the casino can’t change them either. Slot machine odds are fixed and stay the same over time. Odds can differ between slot games, but the game is guaranteed to make money over time.
Payback Percentages
Slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos come manufactured with pre-programmed computer chips that determine how much of the overall bets made on the machine will be paid back to players. In the case of a casino online, this percentage is determined by the software programming, but it works the same.
Whatever amount is pre-programmed into a slot game is called the hold, and it is the amount of money the house, or the casino, will retain as earnings.
The payback percentage is a percentage based on the game’s whole life cycle. So, say a slot game’s payback percentage is set to 85%, this doesn’t mean you will keep $85 of every $100 you wager on the game. The game is random, and the percentage doesn’t apply short-term. It means over the game’s lifetime, it will pay out 85% of bets.
Do payout percentages change?
Yes. The programmed payout percentages on slot games can be changed, but they won’t change in the middle of your game. Most often, they are only changed on games that are very difficult to win, so this actually works in the customer’s favor.
Are all payout percentages the same?
Payout percentages, also called RTPs or Return to Players, vary between different slot games. To gain the highest payout, you’ll need to choose slot games with the highest payout percentage. An RTP of 90% or higher is considered a high-paying game.
How to determine the payout percentage of a slot machine
In online slots, the payout percentages are usually straightforward. It will be listed on the rules or information page for the game, or sometimes you’ll find it on the casino or game developer’s website. If you have difficulty finding the payout percentage for a particular game, try Googling it with the game name and the term “payout percentage” or “return to player.” As a last resort, you can contact the casino directly using their customer support tools.
In comparison to brick-and-mortar casinos, online casinos usually offer better payout percentages. They have lower overhead costs and an unlimited number of players that can play their games. Payout percentages for online slots can often be in the high 90s, which is virtually unheard of on physical slot machines.
Final thoughts
While you can improve your odds by choosing an online slot game with a high payout percentage, it’s important to understand what these numbers mean. Since the payout percentage is an average payout for the game’s lifetime, it’s impossible to determine precisely what payout you can expect. While online casino slots offer you the opportunity to win big, they are ultimately games of chance, and you can lose big too.
