Short answer. RTP (return to player) is the share of total stakes a game returns over the long run; house edge is 1 − RTP. Expected loss = total stake × (1 − RTP). 500 spins at $2 on a 96% slot is $1,000 of turnover and a $40 expected loss. The same formula prices a bonus: a 40× requirement on a $100 bonus is $4,000 of turnover and costs $160 at 96% RTP, $120 at 97%, $80 at 98%. This calculator does both and shows what happens when the casino counts a game at less than 100%.
Calculator
Expected loss table
| Turnover | 92% RTP | 94% | 96% | 97% | 98% | 99% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $40 | $30 | $20 | $15 | $10 | $5 |
| $1,000 | $80 | $60 | $40 | $30 | $20 | $10 |
| $4,000 | $320 | $240 | $160 | $120 | $80 | $40 |
| $10,000 | $800 | $600 | $400 | $300 | $200 | $100 |
A session can end anywhere around these numbers; the figures are averages over many sessions. Volatility (how big and rare the wins are) sets the spread, not the average.
RTP and wagering: the contribution trap
Casinos neutralise low house edges with contribution rates. From the terms we verified on 23 October 2026:
- BitStarz: table, live, instant-win, lottery and bingo games 5%; progressive jackpots 0%.
- Sportsbet.io: Originals, table and RNG games 10%; live baccarat, roulette, blackjack 10%; live game shows 20%; a long list of slots 0%.
- Cloudbet: slots and arcade games with RTP above 99.5% a flat 10%; live and virtual tables 10%; other slots scaled by RTP.
- Pin-Up: roulette and card games 0%; slots only.
So a 99.5% RTP game that counts 10% needs ten times the real turnover: $40,000 of play to clear $4,000, with an expected loss of $200, more than the $160 a 96% slot costs at 100% contribution. The calculator's effective-turnover line shows this directly.
RTP and rakeback
Rakeback is paid on the house edge, so it scales with 1 − RTP: at Shuffle's 5%, a 96% slot pays 0.20% of turnover back, a 99% game 0.05%. The rakeback calculator uses the same RTP input.
Where to find a game's RTP
Inside the game's info panel; several operators let you check live RTP (Roobet shows a "Live RTP" section). Operators can run a game at one of several RTP versions the studio ships, and Stake's terms reserve the right to adjust house edge on slots, so the figure in the game panel at the casino you play is the one to use, not a review site's.
FAQ
How do I calculate expected loss from RTP?
Total stake × (1 − RTP). $1,000 at 96% = $40.
What is the difference between RTP and house edge?
House edge = 100% − RTP. A 96% slot has a 4% edge.
Does a higher RTP game clear a bonus cheaper?
Only if the casino counts it at 100%. Check the contribution table; high-RTP games are often cut to 10% or excluded.
Is RTP guaranteed per session?
No. It is a long-run average over millions of rounds; a single session can be far above or below.
Independent calculator. Averages, not predictions. Not financial advice. 18+.