Best High RTP Slots & Top Paying Games in 2025
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What Is RTP and Why does it matter?
RTP stands for Return To Player. It refers to the percentage of your wagers that a slot game will return over time. If the RTP is 97% then for every £100 you wager, theoretically, you’ll receive £97 back. If it’s 96.5%, you’ll get £96.50 back – and so on.
There are lots of myths and misconceptions about RTP, but the important thing to remember is: paying the highest RTP slots gives you a greater chance of receiving the best payout over time. So it can be a smart move for managing your bankroll.
However, RTP is calculated over millions and millions of spins.
This means that a slot with a 97% RTP might pay out much lower over a short session (or much higher). If you’re looking for high RTP slots as a way to make short term wins, then you might actually be looking in the wrong place. RTP is certainly relevant to the amount a slot pays out, but don’t think of it as a guarantee – unless you’re planning a week-long spinning session!
Tip: Volatility has an effect on how much you’ll win in shorter gaming sessions. Playing high volatility slots over low volatility ones sees larger returns but more spread out, so low volatility slots tend to be better for bankroll management.
How to Check RTP in UK Online Casinos
There are lots of benefits to playing at casinos with a UKGC licence, but when it comes to looking for the highest RTP slots, there’s one standout rule. As part of their licence requirements, casinos must make the RTP clearly available pre-play.
This means you can always find the RTP before you wager any money, as long as you’re playing at a properly licensed casino. So how do you find it?
- Head to the slots catalogue.
- At some casinos, the RTP is displayed on the thumbnail, or on the info button. If it isn’t, move onto the next step.
- Click on the title you want to play.
- Once the game has loaded, look at the help page, game info, or paytable.
- You’ll find the RTP in one of those places, displayed as a percentage.
Tip: Looking for trustworthy slot sites? Having the RTP displayed on the game thumbnail or info button is an easy way to spot a casino that values transparency.
What Is a High RTP for an Online Slot Game?
The RTP of slots varies from game to game, and is generally classified as low, medium or high. Below we’ve broken down these three distinct groups:
Low RTP (88%-93%): These games often incorporate a significant jackpot bonus feature. This includes both fixed and progressive jackpots, like titles in Blueprint Gaming’s Jackpot King series. If a game has an RTP this low and doesn’t have an enormous max win or jackpot feature, then it’s probably not worth playing!
Average RTP (94%-96%): These games offer a more moderate return profile. Elk Studio’s games by and large feature an RTP of 94%, mixing average RTP with high-volatility.
High RTP (97%-99%): These games theoretically provide the highest return to players. If you’re looking to manage your bankroll better then these slots are a solid choice. Below we’ll cover some of the highest RTP slots in the UK, so that you can choose a game that offers better payouts over time.
The Highest RTP Slots of All Time
We always keep our ear to the ground when it comes to new high RTP slot releases, but they’re few and far between nowadays. When it comes to the highest RTP slots (that’s 99% RTP slots, or 98% RTP slots) the classics are always in the lead.
Below you’ll find a list of the highest RTP slots that you can play online in the UK.
Ugga Bugga: RTP 99.07%
Playtech released Ugga Bugga back in 2013 and still there’s not a single other slot game that’s topped it in terms of RTP. With a dark jungle theme, low volatility and a max win of 1,000x your stake, if bankroll management is the ultimate goal, you could do a lot worse than this gem.
Book Of 99: RTP 99%
As you might have guessed from the name, Relax Gaming raised the stakes with Book of 99 to a whopping 99% RTP. With a stunning Greek mythology theme, high volatility and popular book mechanic, this slot became a player favourite as soon as it was released.
Mega Joker: RTP 99%
Released back in 2011, NetEnt created a classic with Mega Joker. This 99% RTP slot offers a blend of high volatility and a max win of 2,000x the stake, this nostalgic slot blends the archetypal Vegas slot machine feel with serious winning potential.
1429 Uncharted Seas: RTP 98.6%
Cleverly blending low volatility with a super high RTP, Thunderkick created a grinder’s dream with the highest RTP slot in their catalogue. The sea-faring theme is visually stunning and the 670x max win certainly isn’t to be sniffed at, especially with an RTP this high.
Marching Legions: RTP 98%
With an RTP of 98%, Marching Legions takes the Roman Gladiator theme, throws in a highly volatile maths model and 243 ways to win. You’ll need to look out for the legionnaire symbol if you want to hit the worthwhile wins and give it your all in free spins mode.
Money Cart 2 Bonus Reels: RTP 98%
Relax Gaming’s Money Cart series is one of the highest RTP slots series of all time, with the first two installments both offering an RTP of 98%. Money Cart 2 offers a pared back version of the original, letting you skip straight to the bonus round, with no base game in sight.
Tip: Relax Gaming are responsible for no less than four of the high RTP slots on this list – so if you’re after a studio that consistently delivers the high paying gems, keep an eye on them.
Top 5 New High RTP Slots for 2025
If you’re looking for the best new slots with the highest odds of winning, you’re in the right place. We’re reviewing new slots all the time, so finding high RTP new slots is just a part of what we do.
Let’s preface this with a note: slots aren’t the same as they used to be! Those slots released in 2010 often had an RTP over 97%, in 2025, it’s not the same. Now it’s seriously unusual to find a slot over 97.5%. With that said, all of the high RTP slots below have been reviewed by us in the last few months and sit well above the average RTP of 94 – 96%.
Cat’s Soup: RTP 98.06%
Nowadays you can generally rely on BGaming to come up with the best high RTP slots. Cat’s Soup is an excellent example with a huge RTP of 98.06%, a decent 8,000x max win, and a people pleasing medium volatility.
Big Tuna Bonanza: RTP 97.2%
Who doesn’t love a fishing slot? BGaming released Big Tuna Bonanza back in August with an excellent 97.2% RTP and a decent 5,000x max win. If you love the classics like Big Bass Bonanza, then the cash collect features and free spins round will feel like home.
Grimm’s Bounty: Hansel and Gretel: RTP 96.75%
We love a high RTP slot that also boasts a sizable max win. PG Soft offers up a 10,000x top win in this fairytale slot, with a dark and foreboding style. The free spins mode and avalanche features combine to make that max win feel tantalisingly achievable.
Star Clusters 2: RTP 96.63%
Following on from the success of Star Clusters Megaclusters, this new release from Big Time Gaming ups the RTP and the max win too – to a heady 34,500x your bet! If you liked the original then this sharpened up version will not disappoint.
Captain Kraken Megaways: RTP 96.55%
Pirate themed slots are having a bit of a revival at the moment and Pragmatic Play is never a studio to be left out. Making great use of the Megaways mechanic and collection feature in combination, the maths model is a little more interesting than the tried and tested theme.
Tip: If you’re looking for newer slots with high RTP then BGaming is a good studio to watch out for. Not all of their releases have a super high RTP, but a lot do. In fact, the top 2 from our list of 5 are both BGaming releases from the last couple of months.
How Slot RTP Is Calculated
You know what RTP is by now, but how do studios actually get to that number? RTP isn’t a guess, it’s worked out through a clever process:
Step 1: Building the Slot Game
Every slot is built on an RNG, which ensures each spin is independent and unpredictable. The mathematicians that work at slot studios build the paytable, volatility profile and theoretical RTP using computer models.
Step 2: In-House Testing
Once the slot is built, the studio conducts in-house testing. This involves simulating millions of spins, to check that the game performs as intended – does it actually provide a 98% RTP?
Step 3: Independent Testing
Once the game studio is happy the game is working as intended, it’s time for independent agencies to work their magic. Agencies like eCOGRA and iTech Labs run huge simulations, comparing results against the paytable. This is how the official RTP percentage is confirmed.
Tip: Testing doesn’t just stop after the game has passed its independent casino tests. Instead, RTP information is collected from real play, to make sure that the slot doesn’t drift outside what’s expected.
What Influences the RTP of Slot Games
Lots of things influence RTP, but the four main ones are below. This won’t make a difference to how you play the game, or the RTP you can achieve – sometimes it’s just nice to know!
- Bonus Rounds: Free spins rounds often increase multipliers or lead you to jackpot bonuses. This can increase the RTP within that round and thus the game as a whole.
- Special Symbols: Wilds and Scatters increase hit frequency or unlock features, upping the RTP.
- Betting Limits: Minimum and maximum bets affect the range of possible outcomes. For example, in some high RTP slot games you can only hit the max win if you’re placing the max bet.
- Operator Adjustments: Some slots come with multiple RTP settings (e.g. 96%, 94%, 92%). Casinos can choose which version to offer, which is why the UKGC requires RTP disclosure.
Slots Versus Other Casino Games – How Does the RTP Stack Up?
RTP is applicable to all forms of online and land-based casino gambling. From blackjack to the National Lottery, all casino games have an RTP (or a house edge). Let’s start off by understanding the difference between the two:
House Edge: The percent of all wagers that the house expects to keep over time
RTP: The percent of all wagers that the game expects to pay back over time
You can think of the house edge like the opposite of the RTP. If the RTP of a game is 98%, the house edge is 2%. Below are some of the theoretical RTPs of casino games.
- National Lottery: RTP 55.42%
- American Roulette: 94.74%
- European Roulette: 97.3%
- Blackjack: 99% (with good strategy)
- Baccarat: 98.94% (banker bets)
As you can see, of the games that are chance bases, high RTP slots rank the most highly. If you’re choosing options like blackjack, then you can see higher returns, but you’ve got to nail the strategy, or the effective RTP is much lower. If you’re hoping to win at slots, then a high RTP release is still a good strategy. Read our Slots Tips and Tricks guide here for more information.
Pros and Cons of High RTP Slots
High RTP slots can be appealing because they promise better returns over time, but it’s important to understand what that actually means before diving in. While a higher RTP indicates a better theoretical payout, it’s wise to view these numbers with a healthy dose of scepticism.
Pros
- Better long-term returns
- Smaller casino edge
- Better value per bet
- Easier bankroll management
Cons
- No quick wins with slots
- Smaller top prizes (often)
- Longer waits for big wins
- RTP is only part of the story
Casinos with the Highest RTP Slots
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High RTP – FAQs
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Do high RTP slots mean I’ll win more often?
Not necessarily. RTP is calculated over millions of spins, so it reflects long-term averages – great for bankroll management and wins over time, but there’s no promise of regular gains. Volatility is what determines how frequently you’ll see payouts in a short session, with low volatility being the best option for bankroll management. -
Why do some casinos list different RTPs for the same slot?
Many modern slots come with multiple RTP versions (like 96%, 94%, or 92%). The operator chooses which one to run, which is why the UKGC requires RTP disclosure before play. Looking for the best payout casinos is a good way to avoid those lower RTP values. -
What is the average RTP of online slots in the UK?
Most sit between 94% and 96%, with progressive jackpot slots tending to hover closer to the 90% mark. Anything above 97% is considered high. -
Which studios release the most high RTP slots?
Relax Gaming and BGaming are the standouts in recent years, but Thunderkick and NetEnt also have classic titles that are well above 97%. -
Can casinos change RTP after a game has gone live?
Yes, but only by switching between the officially certified RTP settings. At UKGC-licensed casinos (the only ones we recommend using) you’ll always be able to see if the RTP has changed, by clicking on the information icon, looking at the pay table, or the game info panel. The Random Number Generator itself always remains fair and regulated. -
What slot currently has the highest RTP?
Playtech’s Ugga Bugga still leads the pack at 99.07%, though Book of 99 by Relax Gaming is close behind at 99%.