In the highly competitive online gambling market, some casinos have started advertising games with allegedly over 100% RTP (Return to Player) to attract players. This claim sounds exciting, seemingly suggesting that players can consistently profit from these games. But is this promotion truthful and credible? Let’s delve into this issue.
What is RTP?
Before discussing why claims of RTP over 100% are problematic, we first need to understand what RTP means.
RTP stands for “Return to Player.” It’s a percentage that reflects the proportion of wagers a player can expect to win back over long-term play.
RTP is calculated as:
(Total Amount Returned / Total Amount Wagered) x 100%.
For example, if a game has an RTP of 96%, it means that on average, for every 100 units wagered, a player can expect to win back 96 units in the long run. It’s important to understand that this is a long-term statistical value, and actual results in the short term can vary greatly.
RTP also reflects the casino’s advantage. The house edge is equal to 100% minus the RTP. For instance, an RTP of 96% implies a 4% house edge.
Why Claiming RTP Over 100% is Misleading?
- Mathematical Impossibility:
An RTP over 100% would mean the casino loses money in the long run, which is mathematically impossible. Casino operations are based on probability and statistical principles, and it’s not possible to design a system that consistently loses money. - Unsustainable Business Model:
If there were truly games with over 100% RTP, casinos would be unable to maintain operating costs and profitability. Continuously offering such games would quickly lead to bankruptcy. - Misunderstanding Promotional Activities:
Some casinos include short-term promotional activities or bonuses in their RTP calculations, creating a false impression. These promotions are temporary and do not represent the actual long-term RTP of the game. - Confusing Short-term Fluctuations with Long-term Expectations:
In the short term, individual players may experience returns higher than 100%, but this does not equate to long-term RTP. Casinos may exploit this confusion to mislead players. - Lack of Transparency:
Many casinos claiming high RTPs do not provide specific calculation methods or independent audit reports, greatly reducing the credibility of these claims.
Common Misleading Tactics:
- Confusing short-term results with long-term RTP
- Including promotional activities in RTP calculations
- Lack of transparency and independent audits
- Exploiting players’ misunderstanding of the RTP concept
How to Identify Reliable RTP Information:
- Look for regulated casinos
- Check independent audit reports
- Understand the RTP calculation method
- Be wary of excessively high RTP claims
Conclusion
Claims by online casinos that certain games have RTP over 100% are misleading and potentially deceptive. This promotional strategy exploits players’ misunderstanding of the RTP concept and desire for high returns. As responsible players, it’s important to understand the true meaning of RTP and recognize that any claim of over 100% RTP should be questioned.
Gambling should be viewed as a form of entertainment, not a method of making money. When choosing games, players should look for casinos with reasonable RTPs (usually between 80% and 99%), good regulation, and transparent information.
