The Return to Player Percentage, aka RTP, is the most cited characteristic when it comes to slot machines. The game developers, review sites, experts, players and casino themselves will highlight whether the RTP of a slot game is high or not, inciting excitement to readers so that they try their luck.
The truth of the matter is that the RTP is always negative, meaning that the casino will have the long-term odds in its favour, indifferent to the pokies you select to play.
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But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and start with the basics.
- What is the Slots Return to Player (RTP) Meaning?
- Money Wagered versus Deposited Amount
- Brick and Mortar vs Online Pokies RTP
- Top 30 Online Slots List with the Best Winning Odds
- 10 Best Paying Online Pokies in Australia
- Overall 5 Best RTP & Payout Slots Reviewed
- Finding Online Casinos with the Highest RTP Slots
- FAQs
What is the Slots Return to Player (RTP) Meaning?
To understand the RTP, we must first highlight how Class III slots and casino games operate online.
All games have a set number of cards, balls, symbols, reels, paylines and so on, which will involve betting from the player, a waiting period and the outcome. In-between betting and seeing the result of the game, a software system is running to produce a random outcome. This software system is called Random Number Generator (RNG), which is a program that produces random patterns that cannot be guessed by humans.
However, developers have the freedom to program the RNG of a slot machine in a way that it will be random, within a few parameters. The one discussing here, the RTP, is programmed by the gaming providers to produce a predetermined sequence of patterns that will, in the long run, pay out less money than the amount wagered on the slot.
Each slot carries its own unique RTP, which is reflected in percentages, with the average number being 96%. Such an RTP illustrates that the casino will have 4% edge over players. The sole fact that the RNG can be manipulated, and it is not totally random, is why it is called Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG).
Keep in mind that only thanks to technological advances, and the RNG itself, we can gamble online. The existence of the RTP is just there to indicate how close to fair a casino game is, but without this edge, no one would bother housing online casino games.
For an indication of the RTP across casino games, when using optimal betting strategies on each, see the below list:
- Average RTP of video slots is 96%
- Roulette – 97.30%
- Blackjack – 99.72%
- Video Poker – 99.54%
- Baccarat – 98.94%
- Sic Bo – 97.22%
- Keno – 75%
- Craps – 98.59%
Knowing what the RTP really is and how it comes about, we can now share with you the official definition of slot games RTP: “RTP stands for Return To Player. The RTP percentage is a measure of the percentage of stakes a game returns to players (generally over a minimum of one million plays) and is a generally accepted guide to how a game will perform.”
Money Wagered versus Deposited Amount
It might have gone unnoticed, but above, we used the phrase ‘money wagered’ and not ‘money deposited’ on a slot machine. Here, I am trying to highlight a common mistake that ‘experts’ conduct when referencing the RTP, which is to say that if you deposit such amount, you will win such amount – or rather lose, since the RTP is never 100%+. There is no such guarantee, as the slots RTP is calculated on average across millions to billions of spins.
For example, on a slot with an RTP of 97%, a player might wager A$1,000 and lose everything five times in a row. This would mean that the RTP is 0%. In contrast, another player might wager A$50 and win A$5,000, which would mean that the RTP for this player is 1000%.
The above example illustrates how a slot game with an average 97% could have completely different outcomes in the short run; indifferent to how the game performed across millions of spins during the testing period.
That’s why the RTP is always referenced as a theoretical value since no player would actually play these many spins
Further, it is also good to know that different software providers will calculate their games’ RTP on a different scale; for instance, Quickspin runs 1 billion spins to determine the theoretical RTP of their slot machines, with other providers doing the same across 1 million spins.
Brick and Mortar vs Online Pokies RTP
Although most people consider brick and mortar casinos superior to online casinos in terms of slot machine payouts and winning odds, the reality is quite different. For instance, the RTP of slot machines at physical casinos usually ranges between 75 – 90%. In contrast, most online pokies have an RTP of 88 – 98%, with those on the lower end being progressive jackpot slots, which justifies how a percentage of their returns builds up the multimillion pot that a single lucky player will bag.
On the other hand, both physical casinos and online casinos carry similar odds on roulette, blackjack, craps and such games, since they operate in the exact same fashion, although this is done online through the programming of an RNG. Nonetheless, players can find online casino games variants that come with alternate odds and payouts, which counts in favour of online casinos that offer a larger variety for players.
Lastly, online casinos are also tested more frequently than land-based casinos. This is because the checks are conducted by the licensing body, 3rd party testing companies, review sites and the millions of players sharing their personal experiences on public forums.
Top 30 Online Slots List with the Best Winning Odds
| Highest RTP Slots (1 – 30) | Return to Player Rate (RTP) | Gaming Vendor |
| Goblin’s Cave | 99.30% | Playtech |
| Ugga Bugga | 99.07% | Playtech |
| Book of 99 | 99% | Relax Gaming |
| OHH AHH Dracula | 99% | Barcrest |
| Monopoly Big Event | 99% | Barcrest |
| Mega Joker | 99% | NetEnt |
| Jackpot 6,000 | 99% | NetEnt |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.60% | Thunderkick |
| Dr. Jekyll Goes Wild | 98.20% | Barcrest |
| Marching Legions | 98.12% | Relax Gaming |
| The Catfather | 98.10% | Pragmatic Play |
| Blood Suckers | 98% | NetEnt |
| Money Train 2 | 98% | Relax Gaming |
| Rainbow Riches Pick ‘n’ Mix | 98% | Barcrest |
| Jokerizer | 98% | Yggdrasil |
| Ragnarok | 98% | Genesis Gaming |
| Starmania | 97.87% | NextGen Gaming |
| Cowboys Go West HD | 97.84% | World Match |
| White Rabbit Megaways | 97.77% | Big Time Gaming |
| Rainbow Riches Fortune Favours | 97.75% | Barcrest |
| Rainbow Riches Home Sweet Home | 97.75% | Barcrest |
| Zeus Lightning Power Reels | 97.73% | Red Tiger Gaming |
| Golden Tour | 97.71% | Playtech |
| Devil’s Delight | 97.60% | NetEnt |
| Simsalabim | 97.50% | NetEnt |
| Sushi Bar | 97.50% | Betsoft Gaming |
| Reel Gems | 97.49% | Microgaming |
| Big Bad Wolf | 97.34% | Quickspin |
| Cai Shen Ye | 97.31% | Skywind Group |
| Big Red | 97.04% | Aristocrat |
Due to the nature of RTP highlighting the long term payouts of a slot game, many players search for extensive lists of options that come with good winning odds. Thus, we pilled up this table of the top 30 best paying slots, or in other words – the best 30 RTP video slots.
Goblin’s Cave – 99.30% (Playtech)
Ugga Bugga – 99.07% (Playtech)
Book of 99 – 99% (Relax Gaming)
OOH AHH Dracula – 99% (Barcrest)
Monopoly Big Event – 99% (Barcrest)
Mega Joker – 99% (NetEnt)
Jackpot 6,000 – 99% (NetEnt)
1429 Uncharted Seas – 98.60% (Thunderkick)
Dr Jekyll Goes Wild – 98.20% (Barcrest)
Marching Legions – 98.12% (Relax Gaming)
The Catfather – 98.10% (Pragmatic Play)
Blood Suckers – 98% (NetEnt)
Money Train 2 – 98% (Relax Gaming)
Rainbow Riches Pick n Mix – 98% (Barcrest)
Jokerizer – 98% (Yggdrasil)
Ragnarok – 98% (Genesis Gaming)
Starmania – 97.87% (NextGen Gaming)
Cowboys Go West HD – 97.84% (World Match)
White Rabbit Megaways – 97.77% (Big Time Gaming)
Rainbow Riches Fortune Favours – 97.75% (Barcrest)
Rainbow Riches Home Sweet Home – 97.75% (Barcrest)
Zeus Lightning Power Reels – 97.73% (Red Tiger)
Golden Tour – 97.71% (Playtech)
Devils Delight – 97.60% (NetEnt)
Simsalabim – 97.50% (NetEnt)
Sushi Bar – 97.50% (Betsoft)
Reel Gems – 97.49% (Microgaming)
RTP Ranges!
We have shared some of the highest RTP slot machines above, but we also want to highlight one more thing in relation to this metric. Many of the above slot games can have a maximum RTP as referenced above, but it can also be lower, depending on the game mode you are playing. Aspects that can make the RTP of pokies to range include:
- Maximum bet
- Ante bet
- Big bet mode
- All paylines active
- Bonus buy
- Slot machine versions
Besides the above, there can also be other aspects involved into the RTP of a slot machine, which can make it range. Thus, it is important to not get carried away by the RTP of a game, unless you have read its in-depth review to see how it actually operates. Unfortunately, some slots are more rewarding for those that can wager higher amounts per spin, although this shouldn’t be surprising.
10 Best Paying Online Pokies in Australia
| 10 Highest Paying Slots | Maximum Win | Gaming Vendor |
| Starburst XXXtreme | 200,000x | NetEnt |
| Super Boost | 200,000x | Electric E. |
| Peking Luck | 180,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| San Quentin Xways | 150,000x | Nolimit |
| Robin Nottingham Raiders | 121,500x | Peter & Sons |
| Wild Flower | 114,100x | Big Time Gaming |
| Pirate Pays Megaways | 104,400x | Big Time Gaming |
| Lil’ Devil | 103,000x | Big Time Gaming |
| Dead or Alive 2 | 100,000x | NetEnt |
| Rome: The Golden Age | 100,000x | NetEnt |
Although the RTP defines the long-term returns of a slot game, high RTP slots do not necessarily pay big sums at once. Still, most players confuse the RTP metric with the volatility of a slot, another parameter that defines the payout size and win rate of a licensed real money pokies machine. Slots volatility is separated into three groups:
- Low (pay very often but small amounts)
- Average (medium-sized payouts that come regularly)
- High (rare payouts that are big in size)
Players looking for long-term success should focus mostly on high RTP pokies, while punters after high payouts should test their luck on the following high paying slots:
Starburst XXXtreme (NetEnt) – 200,000x
Super Boost (Electric E.) – 200,000x
Peking Luck (Pragmatic Play) – 180,000x
San Quentin Xways (Nolimit City) – 150,000x
Robin Nottingham Raiders (Peter & Sons) – 121,500x
Wild Flower (Big Time Gaming) – 114,100x
Pirate Pays Megaways (Big Time Gaming) – 104,400x
Lil’ Devil (Big Time Gaming) – 103,000x
Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt) – 100,000x
Rome: The Golden Age (NetEnt) – 100,000x
The above list does not include progressive jackpot slots since those often take months to payout. Likewise, some games by Push Gaming, like Razor Shark, have an unspecified max win limit that could surpass the payouts of the above high paying games.
Overall 5 Best RTP & Payout Slots Reviewed
There is no reason to settle for a very high RTP slot machine that won’t stimulate your gameplay with exciting wins. Neither should you pick a progressive jackpot game that can pay out huge prizes but sacrifices most of your wagers to fund the community pot. Statistics can be a trap, leading players to progressive pokies like High Fashion by RTG or boring slot machines like Playtech’s Golden Tour that nonetheless features an impressive RTP.
Below, we review five pokies that combine very high RTP and excellent payouts. One could argue that they are the best online pokies to play at Australian online casinos.
Continue and let us know whether you agree.
#1 Book of 99 – 99% RTP & 12075x Max Win
Relax Gaming always tries to impress with their games, and they have been referenced several times on our lists of the best paying and highest RTP slots. Book of 99 perfectly combines the two metrics, with a 99% RTP and a 12,075x maximum win potential.
The Book of 99 slot is not just another Egyptian-themed game, but instead a book featuring heroes and villains. It was released in 2021 designed with 5×3 reels and rows, 10 paylines, and very high volatility. You can bet there anywhere between A$0.10 and A$100 per pop.
The book acts as the game’s wild symbol and also works as the scatter leading to 10 free spins for three anywhere on the reels. The bonus game is where the magic happens, with a randomly selected expanding symbol that pays across the grid. Every free spins retrigger brings up additional expanding symbols making the maximum win more likely to occur.
Collecting wilds during the base game leads towards manual activation of the bonus feature which is a great backup for unlucky players, and a huge contributor to the game’s high RTP.
#2 Medusa Megaways – 97.63% RTP & 50000x Max Win
Medusa Megaways is part of the Medusa series by NextGen Gaming, a hugely successful group of slots. Thanks to licensing from BTG, it features the very popular Megaways engine, providing up to 117,649 ways to win per max ways spin. The cherry on the cake is the 50,000x maximum multiplier available via the special features.
The game plays on a 6×4 game grid, with high volatility and stakes ranging from A$0.25 to A$25 per round. To get the maximum RTP, you must play the bonus buy feature only, otherwise, you’ll be enjoying a still decent 96.28%.
This is the tale of Hercules and Medusa, experienced via several special features. Medusa’s Gaze can be triggered when wilds land on the reels, turning more symbols or the entire reel wild. The free spins round runs with 10 spins and unlimited multiplier increases like most Megaways slots. However, the Snake Strike and Temptation Feature add a nice twist with extra random wilds and an option to play the bonus again for a chance at better wins.
#3 Marching Legions – 98.12% RTP & 10000x Max Win
Forget about villains and adventures; the Marching Legions slot by Relax Gaming is more on the fun side. It can still pay up to 10,000x your stake with long-term returns averaging at 98.12%. Not too bad.
The game can be played from A$0.10 to A$100 per round and the action unfolds on a 5×3 game grid. The volatility here is medium to high, making the game a great title for any punter.
After the initial impression that should knock a smile on your face, you will quickly realize that this game is hard work. Stacked symbols and respins fill up the collection meter which triggers the free spins round. Every free spin up to five comes with additional high paying stacked symbols ensuring some big wins.
Filling the meter leads to more free spins and a higher winning potential. A bonus buy is also permitted for 120x your bet, making this game highly engaging.
#4 Zeus Lightning Power Reels – 97.73% RTP & 5037 Max Win
Red Tiger Gaming is rarely referenced in lists of high RTP games since most of their titles are quite stingy. In most cases, they average 94%. Zeus Lightning Power Reels breaks the mold with a 97.73% return to player rate. A 5,037x can be won here, which is another great aspect of this game.
Ancient Greece is the name of the game, and the action unfolds on a 7×6 game grid with 30 paylines. You can begin playing from A$0.10 to A$20 per round.
Zeus is the game’s wild symbol, which can expand to cover the entire reel. Every time a wild lands on the reels, a symbol gets a lightning strike and leads to the whole reel transforming into it. Expanding wilds and symbols on different reels set up a nice pay-anywhere system that can lead to massive wins during the base game and bonus rounds.
Free spins become available when three or more scatters appear on the reels. You can start with 8 free spins or gamble them for up to 20. Two wild symbols appear on each free spin, with the potential for more.
#5 Dead or Alive 2 – 96.8% RTP & 100,000x Max Win
The most popular Wild West-themed slot to date, Dead or Alive, got a sequel a while back. This is among NetEnt’s best decisions, considering Dead or Alive 2 became an instant hit. Different variations are available at our recommended casinos, with touch and bonus buy versions. The game has a decent 96.80% RTP and offers wins up to 100,000x your stake.
The storyline is similar to the original slot, where you got some bandit symbols you want to see on the reels. Besides a best paying slot, Dead or Alive 2 doubles up as a penny slot machine with wagers ranging from A$0.09 to A$18 per round.
Wilds make up the base game features, and scatters can trigger the free spins feature. You get a choice of three free spin bonuses with varying effects and multipliers. Essentially, you get to choose the risk-reward involved in your gameplay.
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It’s exciting seeing so many great games produced for online and mobile play. The gambling landscape is at a different level today, primarily because of the numerous casino software developers competing for your attention.
But still, finding all of the above highest RTP and paying slot machines in a single casino is near impossible. Some search for the online casino with the highest RTP in Australia, but that’s fruitless. Such metrics are skewed and do not provide the real picture.
What you can instead do to increase your long-term winning odds is find the best paying online slot sites based on the gaming developers they work with. This is a good strategy since you learned right here which companies are behind the best paying online pokies worldwide.
If a casino features games from Quickspin, Pragmatic Play, Stakelogic, Playtech, Yggdrasil, NetEnt, Betsoft, SGaming, Relax Gaming, and other names highlighted above, you can be rest assured that with the right moves – you’ll be enjoying the casino’s maximum RTP!
To help, we list the best paying online slot sites below, calculated based on the average slot machine statistics of the gaming vendors they feature in their lobbies.
Casino RTP List
- Wazamba Casino – 98% RTP
- 7 Signs Casino – 98% RTP
- Golden Crown Casino – 97.8% RTP
- Hell Spin – 97.6% RTP
- AmunRa Casino – 97.50% RTP
- 5 Gringos Casino – 97.30 RTP
- iWild Casino – 97.10% RTP
- 13Bets.io Casino – 97% RTP
- PlayAmo Casino – 97% RTP
- Sportaza Casino – 97% RTP
Use the links positioned on this page to join legal Australian online casinos hosting games from the vendors with the highest RTP slots ever developed. They will help you unlock no deposit bonuses and free spins to further increase your odds of winning against the casino!
FAQs
Which 10 online slots have the highest RTP in 2024?
The 10 highest RTP slot games in 2024 are:
#10 Dr Jekyll Goes Wild 98.2% RTP
#9 1429 Uncharted Seas 98.6% RTP
#8 Basketball Star 98.7% RTP
#7 Jackpot 6,000 99% RTP
#6 Mega Joker 99% RTP
#5 Monopoly Big Event 99% RTP
#4 OOH AHH Dracula 99% RTP
#3 Book of 99 99% RTP
#2 Ugga Bugga 99.07% RTP
#1 Goblin’s Cave 99.3% RTP
Which pokie machine pays the most?
The pokie machine that pays the most, in the long run, is the highest RTP slot – Goblin’s Cave. Its RTP amounts to 99.3%. However, the game that is a non-progressive jackpot slot that can pay the highest possible win in a single round is Super Boost from Electric Elephant – capped at 200,000x!
What slots have 98% RTP?
Several slot machines fall in the 98 – 98.99% RTP range, including:
- Ragnarok 98% RTP
- Jokerizer 98% RTP
- Rainbow Riches Pick n Mix 98% RTP
- Money Train 2 98% RTP
- Blood Suckers 98% RTP
- The Catfather 98.1% RTP
- Marching Legions 98.12% RTP
- Dr. Jekyll Goes Wild 98.2% RTP
- 1429 Uncharted Seas 98.6% RTP
Is there a list of high RTP Quickspin slots?
Since there wasn’t one, we created it below.
Highest RTP slots by Quickspin:
- Big Bad Wolf Christmas Special: 97.34% RTP
- Big Bad Wolf: 97.34% RTP
- Beowulf: 97.21% RTP
- Goldilocks: 97.09% RTP
- Sinbad: 97.08% RTP
- Treasure Island: 97.07% RTP
- Mighty Arthur: 96.94% RTP
Which are the best online pokies in Australia?
Our best online pokies picks for Australian players combine an above average RTP, fun gameplay, unique bonus features, and great jackpots. They are Dead or Alive 2, Zeus Lightning Power Reels, Marching Legions, Medusa Megaways, and Book of 99.
What slots have 99% RTP?
A handful of slots have a 99% RTP or higher. They are:
- Goblin’s Cave (99.3%)
- Ugga Bugga (99.07%)
- Mega Joker (99%)
- Monopoly Big Event (99%)
- OOH AHH Dracula (99%)
- Book of 99 (99%)
Which Pragmatic Play slots have the highest RTP?
Most Pragmatic Play slots average at 96.5% RTP, which is a good number. It seems to be a metric that works well with players. However, there are a few Pragmatic Play slots with even higher RTP than this, such as:
- The Catfather: 98.1% RTP
- 888 Gold: 97.52% RTP
- Gold Train: 97.16% RTP
- Caishen’s Gold: 97.08% RTP
- 888 Dragons: 96.84% RTP
How high is the Jackpot City slots RTP?
Jackpot City is among the most popular online casinos worldwide, operating since 1998. Their slots are powered exclusively by Microgaming, and they have paid out some of the biggest progressive jackpot wins to date. Several of their jackpot payouts exceed A$20 million.
As an average, Microgaming slots come at 96% RTP, which doubles up as the Jackpot City slots RTP. However, you can do better than this by playing the following high RTP slots at Jackpot City Casino:
- Lucky Riches Hyperspins – 97.49%
- Wild Orient – 97.49%
- Supernova – 97.05%
- Lucky Little Gods – 97%
- Immortal Romance – 96.9%
- Bust the Bank – 96.8%
- Jurassic Park – 96.7%
- Thunderstruck 2 – 96.7%
- 108 Heroes – 96.6%
- Gold Factory – 96.5%
What is the Lightning Link pokies RTP?
Aristocrat’s Lightning Link pokies are the most popular slots in QLD, NSW, Tasmania, Victoria, and the rest of the Australian states. They are primarily available at land-based casinos, like the Crown Casino, which means you won’t easily find info on their RTPs. Their official site doesn’t provide this information either.
Another issue is that the Lightning Link progressive jackpot network covers different games, each offered with a different RTP range. Due to their community pot that draws a percentage of each stake placed on the game network the RTP of these games is below average.
When playing Magic Pearl, Bengal Treasures, Moon Race, Tiki Fire, or any other Lightning Link slot machine, you can expect a 95 – 96.5% RTP. This includes the progressive prizes returned to lucky jackpot winners.
Are the Stakelogic slots RTP high?
Stakelogic is a pioneering casino software provider, with fun and rewarding games in its catalogue. Some of the best RTP Stakelogic slots to date include:
- Twin Joker – 97.79%
- Spartania – 97.22%
- Monkeys of the Universe – 97.16%
- King Bam Bam – 97%
- Book of Cleopatra Super Stake Edition – 96.7%
- Book of Adventure Super Stake Edition – 96.7%
- Magical Forest – 96.7%
- Super Joker Megaways – 96.5%
- Gods of Secrecy – 96.4%
- Raging Bison – 96.1%
Which slots have the best casino game payouts in Australia?
The highest paying pokies in Australia provide the chance to win massive multiplier wins from a single spin. These games do not pay the jackpot prizes frequently, so be cautious with your money.
The highest variance games you can play and expect massive wins are:
- Starburst XXXtreme: 200,000x
- Super Boost: 200,000x
- Peking Luck: 180,000x
- San Quentin Xways: 150,000x
- Robin Nottingham Raiders: 121,500x
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
