In Canada, it is provincial authorities who license and regulate online casinos. To this end, online gambling laws and regulations differ between provinces. As a result, online slots RTP (Return-to-Player) rates and payouts also vary between provinces. Notably, Ontario seems to stand out, considering that the Ontario online casino market is the biggest of all provinces.
The difference in RTPs and payouts can have a big impact on players and operators alike. So, how do these stats differ between Ontario and the other provinces? Also, why is it important? Here is a quick breakdown of the numbers.
RTP & Payouts in Ontario vs. Other Provinces
Online slots RTP rates can differ by several percentage points between different provinces and casinos. The same is the case for table games. The following table shows the average RTP rates for table games and slot titles in Ontario and elsewhere:
Province | Slot RTPs | Table Games RTPs | Overall RTPs | ||||
Ontario | 96.8% | 98.9% | 97.9% | ||||
British Columbia | 96.4% | 98.7% | 97.2% | ||||
Alberta | 95.9% | 98.4% | 96.8% | ||||
Quebec | 95.6% | 98.1% | 96.5% | ||||
Manitoba | 95.4% | 98.0% | 96.3% | ||||
Other Provinces | 95.2% | 97.9% | 96.1% |
Notably, these figures are based on the highest, average RTPs from different casinos. Clearly, Ontario offers the highest RTPs of all Canadian provinces.
Researchers have used various tactics to determine the precise payout and RTP rates across different provinces. While various games display their RTP rates, the researchers also played the games for real money for thousands of hours, monitoring and recording their RTP and payouts all the while. They also consult with game developers and double-check the numbers through independent testers like iTech Labs and eCOGRA.
What Affects RTP & Payouts?
Ultimately, RTP and payouts depend on various factors, including the following:
Province
This article’s focus is on Ontario because geolocation affects RPT and payout rates. It comes down to the province’s online gambling laws and the size of its iGaming market. Usually, regions with well-established, bigger markets tend to feature higher RTP rates and payouts.
Ontario has the biggest online gambling markets of all provinces in Canada. The province has dozens of online casinos from private operators. In contrast, some provinces have only one government-run online casino. Moreover, the role of iGaming Ontario in online slots regulation ensures that the industry runs smoothly. Notably, the law demands transparency, which requires casinos to display every game’s RTP. As such, this explains its high RTP and payout rates.
Game Type
RTP rates also vary between different game types. Generally, table/card games have higher RTPs than slots. Interestingly, RTP rates also vary between individual slot titles.
Gaming Provider
The companies that develop casino games also have a big say in their RTPs and payouts. In fact, it is these companies that ultimately set the RTP rates. However, besides RTP rates, other game features also differ between various developers.
For example, NetEnt’s average RTP is higher than Pragmatic’s, 96.3% versus 95.7%. However, NetEnt focuses on modern slots, while Pragmatic focuses on traditional ones.
Why Do RTPs & Payouts Matter?
Why do online slots RTP rates and payouts matter anyway? RTP, which stands for Return-to-Player, determines your likelihood of winning or the casino’s likelihood of paying out. A higher rate means that you have a better chance of winning. For example, a slot with a 97% RTP theoretically means that it pays out $97 for every $100 wagered (THEORETICALLY). In reality, games with higher RTPs balance smaller, more regular wins with bigger, occasional wins.
It is also worth noting that your money lasts longer when playing games with high RTPs. A difference of three percentage points can mean a 60% difference in the number of sessions you can play.
Tips to Verify RTP Rates
Considering how big a difference RTP rates make, it would be prudent to verify a game’s RTP before playing. There are different ways to do that, including the following:
- Game-Level RTP Information: Ontario slot licensing law requires that every game display its RTP rate. You can reveal this information by pressing the info or question icons on the game before playing.
- Independent Testing Certification: You can also check reports from independent testers like eCOGRA and iTech Labs if you’d like more proof.
- Blockchain Verification: Cryptocurrency casinos use blockchain technology, which enables more transparency. You can calculate any game’s exact RTP rate in real time.
- Provincial Gaming Data: Some provincial authorities also collect and display different casinos’ and games’ RTP information. For example, operators in Ontario are required to submit regular RTP reports.
Conclusion
RTPs and payouts matter a great deal in online gambling. For players, they determine how much and how often they can potentially win. They also determine where players go to play, which is important for operators. In Canada, Ontario has the highest online slot RTP rates thanks to its booming online gambling market and robust laws.
Disclaimer: The house will always have the edge. Players should never try to recover losses by gambling more. The outcome of the games is always entirely based on luck.
