More Providers Join In On The Flexibe RTP Trend

promo

Microgaming latest provider to offer different RTP versions as demand for flexibility continues to grow.

If you’ve been around for a few years you probably remember the days when you could simply log in to your go-to casino, pick one of your favorite slots and just start playing. No need to make sure you’re playing the same game as you did yesterday. It was all pretty straightforward. Tthe situation today is different. Not that flexible Return to Player (RTP) is a new concept, Play’n GO and Novomatic along with a few others have been utilising it for years, but few casinos bothered with the lower versions. Money was flowing and there really wasn’t much need for it.

That was then. Today the industry has become heavily regulated and no licensed casino or game provider is left unaffected. Increased taxes, licensing fees, and in some cases, massive fines, has to a large extent crippled the industry. When expenses go up and revenue goes down, a company must make up for it somehow, and usually it’s the customer who ends up paying the price. In the casino industry, this has all led to an increase in demand for flexible RTP.

Why different RTP versions?

A slot that comes shipped with a 96% RTP setting is mathematically designed to guarantee 4% of profit in the long run for the casino hosting the game (a cut goes to the provider). The rest is paid back to the players. Granted, lowering the RTP is about the only way a casino can increase the revenue.

So why are different RTP versions needed, why not just lower the RTP and stick with that one? Well, every jurisdiction may require a different approach. Heavily regulated ones such as the UK and Sweden involve high risks and expenses whilst “grey markets” do not. Believe it or not, the last thing any reputable casino wants to do is to lower RTP as it’s likely to put players off. Unless you’re winning now and then, you’re going to lose interest.

Why keep playing online casino then?

For many of us, nothing beats playing slots from the comfort of our own homes. Although lowered RTP is bad news, it’s still significantly higher than what you get playing slots in land-based casinos where there are literally no rules applied in terms of RTP limits. It’s not unusual for physical machines to offer 88% or lower settings, and rarely, if ever, do they come as high as 94%+. Land-based casinos simply cannot afford such generosity due to their expenses.

Thankfully, RTP is typically regulated online. The MGA, for example, requires that games shall abide by a minimum RTP of 92%. The average setting, however, has for many years hovered around the 96% mark.

Which providers offer flexible RTP?

There is still some uncertainty in regard to a few providers and whether or not they offer flexible RTP, but an increasing number is joining in on the trend. This year we’ve seen NetEnt, Quickspin, and Thunderkick added to that list, and now Microgaming too. Not all the games in their portfolios have different RTP ranges, at least not yet, and it’s quite possible you won’t ever see them in your casino as it’s up to the operator which one to offer to their customers. Still, it’s always a good idea to check before playing if it’s of any interest to you.

Here are a few of the titles from Microgaming that will be offered as 92% and 94% versions alongside their original RTP version: Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck II, Mermaids Millions, Agent Jane Blonde, Break Da Bank Again, Break Away, and Bust the Bank.

Among those who continue to stick to the single RTP approach are Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Push Gaming, Relax Gaming, and Yggdrasil Gaming. For how long, only time will tell.

Latest Reviews

Pragmatic Play
Fruity Treats

Fruity Treats

Bullshark Games
Wild Dojo Strike

Wild Dojo Strike

Pragmatic Play
Candy Blitz Bombs slot

Candy Blitz Bombs

Subscribe
Notify of
17 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments