What is RTP and How it Applies to Online Pokies

• Strategy
• 03. 07. 2025.
• Marija Misita

Online pokies are fun, aren’t they? Sure, but that’s not the topic of today’s conversation. I’m here to tell you that the mathematics behind online slots is not fun at all.

It’s pretty complex, actually, combining probability, random number generation and statistical modelling to determine parameters that can help us play slot games more successfully.

I promise this article will get more interesting. Yet, to discuss RTP properly, we must delve into the realm of mathematics, probability, and the like.

So, without further ado, let’s learn all there is to know about RTP and its role in online pokies. And as a bonus for sticking around, you’ll discover the top 5 slots with the highest RTPs available at New Zealand pokie sites.

What is RTP?

First things first. RTP is an abbreviation for return to player ratio. And what is that exactly?

In layman’s terms, return to player represents the percentage of the money wagered on a game that is expected to be paid back to players in the long run. It is used in online pokies to show how they pay. For other games, like blackjack or poker, a house edge is a more common term.

As a matter of fact, a game’s RTP and a house edge are two sides of the same coin. The former indicates what the player can expect to win, while the latter shows how much the casino keeps. Of course, you should not take these values for granted, but I’ll get to that later.

Difference between RTP and volatility

Let’s quickly introduce another term commonly used to describe online pokies: volatility.

Also known as variance, it provides more information about the frequency and size of payouts. Most online slots have medium volatility, meaning that payouts are moderate in size and land regularly.

We also have low and high-variance slots, with the former paying out more frequently, but the wins are smaller. Conversely, high-volatility pokies involve more risk, meaning payouts are larger, but win frequency is lower.

So, while RTP i slots tell you how much, on average, you can get back, volatility indicates how often and how big you can win. The combination of the two can help you find slots that will be a perfect fit for you.

How is RTP calculated in online pokies?

Online slots come with built-in RTPs, so you don’t have to calculate anything. However, you should be familiar with a formula used to get the values. It’s pretty basic:

RTP (%) = (Total amount returned/Total amount wagered) × 100

If this seems too abstract, here’s an example. If the player wagers $1,000 and wins back $960, the RTP is calculated as follows: $960/$1,000×100, which equals 96%. So, on average, for every $1 the player wagers, the game pays $0.96.

RTP vs RNG

If we want to get even more technical, you should know that online pokies are powered by the RNG (Random Number Generator), with millions of spins played during development and testing. That’s how the provider determines a theoretical RTP of their slots.

So, to drive the point home, the RTP of any slot game is never calculated from a few spins but over millions of simulated spins.

What is standard RTP in online pokies?

Besides providers, third-party auditors verify that RTPs in online slots are accurate and fair, at least in games from licensed providers. Comparing all these values, the industry standard of around 96% is determined. This means that online slots, on average, have a return-to-player rate of 96%.

Now, we come to one of the most significant advantages of playing pokies online. Online slots have considerably higher RTP rates than their land-based counterparts. At brick-and-mortar casinos, slots typically have rates ranging from 85% to 92%. In contrast, those available at online casinos have built-in RTPs ranging from 95% to 98%. The values could be higher or lower, of course, but they are undoubtedly higher than those you encounter offline.

The reasons for this are aplenty, from lower operational costs—online casinos do not have physical machines or venues to maintain, to the fact that the same online pokie machine can be played by thousands of players simultaneously. Anyways, I hope it’s clear that online pokies score a clear victory here.

Why should you be interested in pokie’s RTP?

Online pokie machines are more transparent, since slot providers and the best NZ online casinos usually disclose RTP rates. On the other hand, land-based slots rarely display RTP info. Although these values are theoretical and not a guarantee, you should still be curious about the RTP of the slot machine you like.

A higher RTP (over 96%) indicates that a slot machine gives you better value for the money. It pays better, to tup it bluntly. Speaking of theoretical values, you should know that results can vary greatly from spin to spin, but that’s good news. Hitting a big win can help you recover from previous losses and increase your balance.

Some providers disclose RTPs in slot paytables, while others publish rates on their official websites. Some NZ slot sites publish RTPs on slots’ thumbnails or, like PokieMachines, they let you search titles by these values.

Feel free to browse our collection of slot reviews and check accurate return to player values. We also include high RTP slot lists within software reviews, so take your time and explore our website to find everything you need before you start playing pokies.

High RTP pokies available to NZ players

Now that you’re familiar with the concept of RTP and its intricacies, let’s see what games have the highest RTPs in the New Zealand market.

Mega Joker – 99.00%

The first pokie on the list is an oldie but goldie. Launched in 2013 by NetEnt, it has been topping high RTP slot lists for over a decade.

It’s quite straightforward, using a 3×3 reel set with 5 paylines only. At the same time, its fixed jackpot won’t blow you away, sitting at 2,000x the stake, but there’s also a progressive jackpot that can trigger at random.

Both jackpots can be won within the Supermeter mode. You enter it by betting a share of your winnings. There have been more innovative and attractive games, but you mustn’t miss out on this gem.

Jack in a Pot – 98.18%

The second place is taken by the Red Tiger pokie Jack in a Pot. It’s a 2018 title with a 6×7 layout and the Cluster Pays mechanics. On each win, you’ll trigger a cascade, with winning symbols removed and replaced with new ones for an additional chance of winning.

A total of 4 Wilds will help you complete winning combos while triggering bonus features that can swap symbols for higher wins, pour new icons on the reels, convert high-paying icons into mega icons or remove low-value icons from the grid. Free spins are available as well, and the max payout is capped at 1,734x. Not much, but it’s worth playing for.

The Slotfather – 97.91%

Another classic among online slots. The Slotfather by Betsoft has been around for over 10 years, but it’s not only the high RTP that has helped it stand the test of time.

From its intriguing theme to cartoonish graphics and engaging sound effects, everything here is designed to keep you spinning the reels, mafia members and items related to them included.

As for bonus features, you can expect instant wins, free spins with multipliers, Scatter wins and a bonus round where the Slotfather himself will help you win big. The top payout is 1,040x the bet, but low volatility will help you land frequent wins here. Please check our Betsoft review for more slots with RTPs exceeding 97%.

White Rabbit – 97.77%

Big Time Gaming’s White Rabbit, one of the provider’s most popular slots and the one that introduced so-called bonus buy features, lets you win in up to 248,832 ways thanks to the Megaways engine. Inspired by the children’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the pokie features the White Rabbit acting as a Scatter symbol, awarding free spins.

Within the free spins feature, the reels extend and unlock the maximum number of ways to win. If you don’t want to wait for it to trigger, you can use the Feature Drop option to enter free spins rounds. Other bonus features, including Wilds and Bonus Wilds, that can increase winning combos by 2 or 3 are also available. The top payout is 17,420x, and volatility is high.

Triple Tigers – 97.52%

This one is an excellent option for players looking for balanced gameplay, thanks to the combination of a high RTP and medium volatility. The Pragmatic Play slot uses 3 reels and a single payline. It’s all about the base game, where you must align identical icons or any bar icon to get paid.

Tigers are high-paying icons, with the golden one awarding the maximum payout of 500x the bet. If you’re looking for a straightforward pokie with a high RTP, Triple Tigers should be your next bet.

Honourable mentions

The slots above have among the highest RTPs in the industry, but you shouldn’t stop exploring. Below, we list another 5 high RTP titles you should consider playing:

• Sugar Mix (BGaming) – 97.37%
• Detective Donut (Popiplay) – 97.28%
• Rage to Riches (Play’n GO) – 97.12%
• Blueberry Island (PoggiPlay) – 97.11%
• Gold Mania (Gamzix) – 97.00%

Closing thoughts

I hope that by now you understand the value of checking the RTP these rates for the slots you like. Although they don’t guarantee anything, they indicate if a slot is worth your time and money. The higher, the better, so I recommend playing slots with RTPs above 96%.

Furthermore, as a casual player, try your luck at medium volatility slots. This will give you a more balanced gameplay and let you enjoy regular action with the potential for occasional bigger wins without the extreme ups and downs.

Of course, playing slots is all about luck, and the outcome of each spin is random. One can award a massive amount, while the next can result in a loss. Because of that, it’s of the utmost importance to play responsibly and never risk more than you can afford to lose.