What RTP means
Return to player is the share of total bets a pokie pays back over its full mathematical cycle. A 96% RTP game returns A$96 for every A$100 wagered across millions of spins; the remaining 4% is the house edge. It is a long-run average, not a promise about any session: a single session on a 96% game can end anywhere from zero to a jackpot.
Two figures matter alongside RTP. Volatility describes how the return is distributed between frequent small wins and rare large ones; see the volatility guide. Hit frequency is how often any spin pays. Two 96% games can feel completely different depending on those.
Where to find the RTP of a pokie
Every studio on the sites we track shows the RTP in the game’s information screen, usually behind an “i” or ”?” icon. That is the number to trust. Some studios ship the same title at multiple RTP settings (for example 94%, 96% and 97%) and let the operator pick; the info screen shows the setting in force at that site.
Publicly, the studios with the most consistent published figures on Australian-facing sites are PG Soft (most titles 96% to 97%) and JILI (95% to 97%). Playtech publishes figures too, but Playtech blocks Australian connections, so its games do not open for players in Australia. Jackpot titles from any studio tend to run 1 to 3 points lower because a slice of each bet funds the progressive.
How RTP interacts with bonus turnover
A welcome bonus with turnover T on a balance B requires T × B in bets. The expected cost of those bets is T × B × (1 − RTP). On A$200 at 3x and 96% RTP that is A$24, against A$100 of bonus. At 6x it is A$48. At 2x it is A$16. RTP does not change the size of the bonus; it changes how much of it you expect to keep after clearing.
This is why the list at the top of this page is ordered by the number of studios a site carries: more studios means more high-RTP titles to choose from when clearing a bonus.
Practical guidance
- Check the info screen of the pokie you are about to play, every time. Settings differ by site.
- Prefer 96%+ titles when clearing turnover.
- Do not confuse RTP with “hot” or “loose”. Online pokies are not adjusted by time of day.
- Jackpot games are a separate decision: lower base RTP in exchange for the pool.
If you are wondering whether a site can run a lower-paying version of a game, our guide to whether online pokies are rigged covers RTP settings and warning signs, and pokies tips turns the RTP figure into a session budget.
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