Let’s be honest for a second. If you’ve played any online slot, one of the first things you may have checked was the game’s return to player.
In fact, players are often encouraged to go for slots with an above-average RTP of 96%. That’s because the figure is basically the holy grail for anyone trying to figure out which slots offer the best statistical edge over the long haul.
Of course, a higher RTP doesn’t mean amazing odds or that you’ll walk away with a guaranteed profit. Instead, slots use random number generators, which means individual results may differ considerably from their theoretical averages.
Regardless, understanding RTP is useful if you’re researching online slots to play in Canada, and I’ve seen this firsthand while working in the industry and spending my own time on some of these sites. That’s why, in this guide, we break down more about what these numbers actually mean, and more importantly, examples of games you should consider for top RTP figures.
What Is RTP & Why Does It Matter so Much?
Unfortunately, most players misunderstand RTP’s fundamental concept. It stands for return to player - a theoretical percentage of how much a slot is designed to return to you in winnings over a very large number of spins.
For instance, an online slot with a 96% RTP means it theoretically pays back $96 for every $100 you wager over millions and millions of simulated spins. The remaining $4 represents the house edge.
Notice the wording here! Millions and millions. Not the average play session for Canadian players - nor do we recommend this.
Don’t mistake RTP for a short-term guarantee. If you wager $100 on a slot with a 96% RTP, don’t expect to receive exactly $96 back for every spin! You could win more, lose your entire bet, or finish somewhere in between.
House Edge vs. Return to Player
The flip side of RTP is the house edge. RTP describes the theoretical share returned to you, and house edge describes the share retained by the casino over time. Simple math, right? But beware that the house edge and RTP figures are theoretical and not guaranteed results.
Here’s where things get interesting for Canadian players, and things we’ve noticed while doing our own slot testing.
Unlike offshore grey-market sites, where RTP ranges could be adjusted downward by shady operators without your knowledge, regulated Canadian casinos in markets like Ontario require strict certification from independent testing labs like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. This way, the RTP you see on your screen is the one baked into the game provider’s math model.
Slots With the Highest RTPs
If you’re hunting down the highest absolute payout percentages in the market, you’ll find them tucked away in classic or retro-style slots as opposed to modern video slots.
Here are the heavy hitters that top the charts:
Slot | Published RTP | Developer |
|---|---|---|
Ugga Bugga | 99.07% | Playtech |
Mega Joker | 99% | NetEnt |
Book of 99 | 99% | Relax Gaming |
1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.6% | Thunderkick |
Marching Legions | 98.12% | Relax Gaming |
Blood Suckers | 98% | NetEnt |
1. Ugga Bugga (99.07% RTP) - Playtech
At the very top of our selection is Playtech’s Ugga Bugga, boasting a staggering official RTP of 99.07%. Some references place the figure a bit lower at 98.74%. If you’ve never played it, you’re in for a surprise because it looks nothing like your usual slot.
It features a tiki-themed jungle grid where you spin multiple sets of mini-reels independently. Instead of elaborate bonus rounds and complicated multipliers, it features a hold feature which holds symbols you like across different rows. So, it’s a good example of how a relatively straightforward slot can have a higher theoretical return than many newer titles.
2. Mega Joker (99% RTP) - NetEnt
Another legendary title hitting right at 99% RTP is NetEnt’s Mega Joker. Released in 2008, this one is for you if you prefer classic fruit-machine styling to modern video slots filled with animations. It uses a 3x3 grid with 5 fixed paylines and a standout feature: the Supermeter mode.
You can bet your winnings from the basic mode in Supermeter mode, giving you a high-risk, high-reward experience. Since it’s an unconventional feature, we advise that you ensure you familiarize yourself with it before agreeing to play it. The game also features a progressive jackpot feature and mystery wins.
3. Book of 99 (99% RTP) - Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming’s Book of 99 is an addition to the familiar book-themed slot format. It derives its theme from Greek mythology, where you battle among the gods. Released in 2021, it features an RTP of 99%.
The slot’s central mechanic involves collecting book symbols, with 99 collected books in the base game awarding you 10 free spins. The bonus round features one of four random mythical characters with expanding abilities. Even with all the activity, you can potentially win up to 5,000x the bet.
The max-win figure is separate from the RTP. It describes a possible payout limit and not how frequently such a result occurs. So, even with a high RTP, it can still be exceptionally difficult to reach the maximum win.
4. 1429 Uncharted Seas (98.6% RTP) - Thunderkick
Thunderkick settled for a medieval nautical setting for 1429 Uncharted Seas. This slot comes with 5 reels, 25 paylines, expanding wild symbols, and a free spins bonus.
The official RTP for this slot is 98.6%, and its volatility is low. The two metrics describe different game aspects: the RTP is the expected return over time, and the volatility dictates how wins and losses are distributed when playing.
The in-game features (expanding wild symbols and free spins) add a layer of extra excitement, making this game worth looking into. As with other titles in our list, make sure you confirm the version and RTP displayed in the actual game before you play.
5. Marching Legions (98.12% RTP) - Relax Gaming
If ancient Rome is your thing, Marching Legions by Relax Gaming is here to quench your desires. Released in 2020, the game takes you to the battlefield where your goal is to conquer its 5 reels with 243 ways to win.
The official RTP is 98.12%, although the figure can vary depending on the version supplied by the operator. Its main features include a nudge feature, respins, and a free spins bonus. Although the game advertises a max win of 10,000x bet, you should be careful because it’s highly volatile.
6. Blood Suckers (98% RTP) - NetEnt
The last of our slots with high RTPs is NetEnt’s Blood Suckers, which takes a gothic vampire approach. Released in 2009, it features a 5x3 grid with 25 paylines, and the developer lists its RTP as 98%. That’s 2% over the often-quoted industry average for online slots.
A free spins feature with 10 spins starts when you hit 3 or more scatters. According to the developer’s published info about the game, wins during the bonus are tripled. This slot’s appeal is the combination of a distinct theme and relatively straightforward mechanics.
Volatility vs. Return to Player
In slot reviews, RTP and volatility are often mentioned together. Yet, they measure different aspects of a game’s design. By now, you already know what RTP means. But volatility, sometimes referred to as variance, describes how wins tend to happen when playing. It exists in two kinds:
Low Volatility: Games with low volatility dish out smaller, frequent wins, keeping your balance ticking over nicely. 1429 Uncharted Seas is a good example of this one.
High Volatility: These are slots where you can sit through dozens of dead spins, but receive a massive payout when a win lands. A good example is Mega Joker. High ratings often require a much sturdier bankroll and a lot of patience.
When testing out a high-RTP slot, I always consider the hit frequency alongside the RTP. A game that pays out on 30% to 40% of its spins feels completely different to play than one with a 10% hit frequency, even if both share a high RTP rate of, say, 98% or more.
How to Check and Verify Slot RTPs in Canada
So, you’ve found a slot you like with an advertised RTP of 99%. How do you verify that figure applies to the version available to you?
Of course, the first place to look is the game’s information panel. That can be the help menu, paytable, or rules section that explains the mechanics and even displays the theoretical RTP.
Here are a few more practical actions to help you:
Confirm the game version: Some titles, like Hacksaw Gaming’s Le Bandit, can have multiple RTP configurations. That means that a developer’s published figure may not match the version offered by a particular casino.
Check the developer’s official website: Most studios publish information about many of their titles on their official websites. Use them to cross-check the game details.
Consider the regulatory context: In Ontario, iGaming Ontario provides a directory of regulated online gaming operators. That means the province’s regulated market has requirements relating to game integrity, fairness, and player protection, and sites allowed to operate within the province must uphold these rules.
Don’t confuse RTP with recent results: The short-term payout history doesn’t reflect its long-term RTP.
If a game’s published RTP isn’t available publicly or you can’t verify the figure, you’d rather treat it as unconfirmed as opposed to assuming the highest figure you’ve seen on referenced unofficial platforms.
I would never touch a game with a vague or hidden RTP, and I also wouldn’t recommend this to my readers, either! Safety comes first when dealing with online slots.
Wrapping Up: So, Are High-RTP Slots Worth It?
Games like Ugga Bugga, Mega Joker, Blood Suckers, 1429 Uncharted Seas, Marching Legions, and Book of 99 are worth considering because of their good RTP figures.
But at the end of the day, RTP is a long-term theoretical measure, and not a cheat code for guaranteed profits. It doesn’t even predict the outcome of your next spin or tell you how long your money will last. The house always retains its mathematical edge, no matter how close to 100% the RTP meter is set - and I know this is tough to accept sometimes. It feels unfair.
Even so, choosing online slots with strong return-to-player percentages and understanding how volatility shapes your gameplay can help you strategize how to budget and make smarter choices whenever you’re playing.
To be on the safer side, always check the game rules to verify the published RTP and make sure you understand the Canadian provincial regulations. Also, never treat gambling as a way to meet financial needs or recover losses. Ensure you have clear limits and take a break if gambling stops feeling like entertainment.
Issy Lewis
Senior Casino Reviewer
Issy Lewis is a Senior Casino Reviewer at Can-Do Casino who writes accurate reviews and guides for the Canadian audience. With over a decade of experience writing about and reviewing online casinos, she knows how to get straight to the point so you can see all the facts.
