RTP is a theoretical long-run percentage of money wagered, not a percentage of your deposit that you are promised to keep. The amount wagered can exceed a deposit because the same balance can be used repeatedly. Before comparing slots, identify the exact game and read its information panel in the service you are actually using.
Deposit, turnover and expected loss are different numbers
In an illustrative game with 96% RTP, CAD 500 of total wagers corresponds to CAD 20 of theoretical expected loss: 500 × (1 − 0.96). This calculation does not predict the result of a CAD 50 deposit or a particular session. A player can lose that deposit before reaching CAD 500 turnover; a large win is also possible. Do not treat the calculation as a target to keep playing toward.
Play Alberta’s RTP explanation describes the long-run nature of RTP and why individual sessions vary. That source explains the concept; it does not prove a particular game’s setting at a different service.
A comparison record that can be checked
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Game | Full name, including sequel or feature suffix |
| Provider | Provider displayed in that game’s rules |
| RTP | Exact displayed percentage; unknown if absent |
| Configuration | Version/build identifier when supplied |
| Game mode | Base game versus paid feature or alternative stake mode |
| Evidence | Rules URL or captured information-panel reference and check date |
| Money | CAD or the actual account currency, not an assumed dollar |
A provider’s general product page can establish identity and mechanics while leaving RTP configuration unresolved. Do not fill that gap with the highest percentage found elsewhere. Demo access also does not show that a real-money service accepts your province or that it uses identical settings.
What RTP cannot answer
It does not establish the chance of a bonus on the next spin, how long a balance will last, or whether a session will end in profit. Keep stake and time limits separate from game comparisons. A high RTP does not make loss recovery reliable.