The online slot machine market has exploded in the past few years. In 2025 there are over 2000 different slots of games available across hundreds of online casinos. Finding the top-paying slots with the best payout percentages can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
What is RTP?
RTP stands for “return to player” and indicates how much money a slot pays back over an extended period of time. Expressed as a percentage, RTP shows the house edge and projected long-term payouts to players. An RTP of 96% means for every $1 wagered on that slot, $0.96 is paid back to players over time. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge.
Here’s a peek at 2025’s top ten highest-paying online slots by RTP percentage on such platforms as b Casino online:
| Game | RTP | Min. Bet | Max. Bet |
| Mega Joker | 99% | $0.10 | $10 |
| Monopoly Big Event | 99% | $0.20 | $100 |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.6% | $0.20 | $100 |
| Blood Suckers | 98% | $0.25 | $50 |
| Kings of Chicago | 97.8% | $1 | $100 |
| Jackpot 6000 | Up to 98% | $0.10 | $5 |
| Simsalabim | 97.5% | $0.10 | $125 |
| Devil’s Delight | 97.6% | $0.20 | $100 |
| Jokerizer | 98% | $0.20 | $100 |
| Big Bad Wolf | 97.34% | $0.25 | $50 |
As you can see, Mega Joker tops out at a staggering RTP of 99% – one of the highest in the industry. This NetEnt classic slot pays back almost all money wagered over the lifetime of the game. Players wanting to maximize payouts should focus on slots with RTPs of 96% or more.
Risks of High and Low Variance Slots
Beyond RTP, it’s also important to consider variance when picking a top-paying slot. Variance or volatility refers to how often and how big wins occur during gameplay. Low-variance games provide smaller but more frequent wins, while high-variance slots feature sporadic but massive wins. High variance also means bigger risks and bankroll requirements.
Here’s a comparison of some low and high-variance online slots:
Low Variance Slots
- Starburst
- Gonzo’s Quest
- Twin Spin
Key Features:
- More consistent lower-value wins
- Smaller top payouts
- Better for low bankrolls
High Variance Slots
- Dead or Alive
- Bonanza
- Legacy of Dead
Key Features:
- Sporadic but massive wins
- Jackpots over 1000x bets
- Bigger risks and bankrolls
Getting the perfect balance between high RTP and reasonable variance comes down largely to personal preferences and bankroll. Lower variance slots provide reliable gameplay for those on a budget, while thrill-seekers chasing huge wins may opt for volatility despite lower RTPs.
Tracking Personal Payouts
While published RTP data provides insights into potential payouts, the stats can’t predict actual win/loss sessions. The only way to know personal payouts is to track gameplay data across multiple sessions.
Many players make the mistake of relying on small sample sizes of just a few hundred spins per slot. But by tracking payouts over 2000 to 5000 spins, you gain clearer insights into actual RTPs. Specialized software makes this process easy by automatically recording key slot metrics like:
- Date/time of each spin
- Bet amount
- Payout multiplier
- Cash won
- Total money in/out
Crunching these numbers over thousands of spins shows whether a 96% RTP slot really pays at that rate for you. If the slot is underperforming, it may be time to move on.
Getting Past the Hype
The online slot industry spends big on advertising and hype, touting record wins and life-changing jackpots. But the cold hard stats tell a different story. While lucky players do snag those mega wins, they are extremely rare. For most people, slots are the entertainment with a random chance at winning.
By analyzing RTP stats and variance, players can make informed decisions about the best slots for entertainment and payout potential. Tracking personal gameplay data adds insights into actual results. But at the end of the day, players need reasonable expectations about their chances and bankroll requirements.
