Looking for the highest-paying online slots in 2025? Return to Player (RTP) is the #1 metric you should consider, especially if you’re playing to win. At Slotspod.com, we’ve reviewed thousands of free slots. Here’s our expert breakdown of how RTP works, plus the 10 best high-RTP slots you can try for free.
RTP, or return to player, is a theoretical calculation that indicates the potential payback to players over time. It is an indispensable tool for evaluating a slot game’s profitability. Independent testing organizations such as eCOGRA perform these tests over billions of simulated spins.
While these RTP figures are just what the game will pay in the long run, it’s important to remember that in the short term, anything can happen. You could play a game that offers a 95% RTP and win 250% of your investment, or you could spin another game and only get back 30% of your stake.
In this guide, we will run through the ins and outs of how slot games pay and showcase our top picks for the games with the highest returns.
Understanding slot RTP
When you’re choosing online slots, it’s crucial to consider the Return to Player (RTP) rate. This rate determines how much you could potentially win over time.
Definition of RTP
RTP stands for Return to Player. It’s a percentage that tells you how much of your wagered money a slot machine will pay back to you over time. For instance, if a slot has an RTP of 97%, it means you could expect to get back $97 for every $100 you wager.
Importance of RTP in Slot Gaming
For slot enthusiasts, the importance of RTP cannot be overstated. Higher RTP rates typically mean a better chance of winning in the long run. While it doesn’t guarantee short-term wins, choosing games with high RTP can result in your getting more favorable outcomes.
Choosing the right RTP slot
When selecting the best RTP slots for 2024, you should consider not only the Return to Player (RTP) percentage but also the game’s volatility and betting strategies.
Balancing RTP and Volatility
High RTP slots are attractive due to their promise of better long-term returns, but volatility plays a crucial role in the gaming experience. Volatility, or variance, refers to the risk associated with a slot game and affects the frequency and size of payouts:
- Low Volatility: Regular but smaller wins.
- High Volatility: Less frequent but larger wins.
You’ll want to balance the highest RTP with volatility that matches your comfort for risk and playing style.
So, if you don’t mind gambling and losing some money for a chance to win huge, you’ll want to play highly volatile games. On the other hand, if you want to guarantee getting some returns, even if you lose a little, you will want to pick a low or medium-volatility slot.
Top 10 RTP Slots for 2025
We’ve scoured the internet for the games with the highest returns that you can play online. Here are our top picks for the best RTP slots you’ll find in 2025;
Pick 1: Book of 99 (Relax Gaming) – 99% RTP
This is a stand out pick if you’re looking for massive wins from a slot with a high return rate. Launched in 2021 by Relax Gaming Book of 99 is a simple themed game with 5 reels and 3 rows, and 10 paylines. The game can pay up to 12,075x your stake, and has an RTP of 99%.
Pick 2: Ooh Aah Dracula (Barcrest) – 99% RTP
This is a pretty old-school game from Barcrest that features low/medium volatility. While the regular gameplay has a 96% RTP, there’s a Big Bet Bonus option that pays 99% RTP.
Pick 3: Mega Joker (NetEnt) – 99% RTP
This classic slot game has been around for over a decade. It features a maximum win of 2,000x your stake and an RTP of 99%. This game is a little clunky and doesn’t have a free spins feature, so you’ll only want to play this if you like the style of armed bandit-type games.
Pick 4: Monopoly Big Event (Barcrest) – 99% RTP
Launched in 2015, Monopoly Big Event, has an average RTP of 96%, but you can use the “Big Bet” mode to play with a 99% RTP.
Pick 5: 1429 Uncharted Seas (Thunderkick) – 98.60% RTP
Launched about ten years ago, this game is still favored among many gamblers. It offers regular payouts with low volatility and a high RTP of almost 99%. Sadly, though, the gameplay is pretty outdated, as you might imagine, and the maximum you can win is 670x your stake.
Pick 6: Marching Legions (Relax Gaming) – 98.12% RTP
A more recent game on our list is Marching Legions, which gives you returns of over 98% alongside a maximum win of 10,000x. Be careful if you play this one, as some casinos have lower-paying versions of the slot.
Pick 7: The Catfather (Pragmatic Play) – 98.10% RTP
One of Pragmatic Play’s earliest releases, sneaking in at number seven, we have the feline Mafia-themed game The Catfather. This game is excellent if you want consistent payouts, with low volatility and RTPS of over 98%.
Pick 8: Madame Mystique Megaways (Pragmatic Play) – 98.03% RTP
This is the most recent release on our top ten list. This 2023 game from Pragmatic Play features Megaways with up to 200,704 ways to win and a free spins bonus round with a potential 25x multiplier. While it’s highly volatile, this is a good game in the long run, with returns of over 98%.
Pick 9: Money Cart 2 (Relax Gaming) 98% RTP
Straight into the action, this bonus version of the Money Train game gives you plenty of fun and has a max win potential of 5,000x, alongside returns of 98%, making this an excellent option for lovers of big-win bonus rounds.
Pick 10: Blood Suckers (NetEnt) – 98% RTP
Next on the list is the spooky-themed Blood Suckers slot by NetEnt. This classic game offers low volatility, a maximum win of up to 900x, and a free spins bonus feature.
Summary of our picks
These are our final top ten slots with the highest RTPs for 2024. To play any of these games without a deposit, click the link to visit the free-play demo version.
| Pick | Game | Developer | RTP | Max Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 99% | 12,075x |
| 2 | Ooh Aah Dracula | Barcrest | 99% | 500x |
| 3 | Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99% | 2,000x |
| 4 | Monopoly Big Event | Barcrest | 99% | 500x |
| 5 | 1429 Uncharted Seas | Thunderkick | 98.60% | 670x |
| 6 | Marching Legions | Relax Gaming | 98.12% | 10,000x |
| 7 | The Catfather | Pragmatic Play | 98.10% | 2,251x |
| 8 | Madame Mystique Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 98.03% | 5,000x |
| 9 | Money Cart 2 | Relax Gaming | 98% | 5,000x |
| 10 | Blood Suckers | NetEnt | 98% | 900x |
Tips for maximizing your RTP on slots
You should focus on managing your bankrolls effectively and applying strategic gameplay to maximize winnings on slots with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages.
Effective Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is essential to aim to play longer and increase their chances of hitting significant wins. You should set a budget before playing and stick to it strictly. It is wise to divide the bankroll into smaller session budgets to ensure they can manage their funds over multiple gaming sessions.
- Use Responsible Gambling tools: Casinos offer deposit limits, wager limits, loss limits, and time-out options to help you control your spending and playing time. Utilizing these tools can ensure that you enjoy playing slots for fun without spending too much time or money.
- Choose bets wisely: Adjust your bet sizes to balance the potential for big wins and the duration of gameplay. Betting too much too quickly can deplete the bankroll prematurely.
Strategies for Playing Higher RTP Slots
When you play higher RTP slots, you’ll increase returns in the long run. Here are some extra tips to ensure you’re giving yourself the best chance of winning at slots:
- Choose your casino wisely: While we have featured games in our list that can pay up to 99% of your money back, many games these days offer variable RTP rates, so while a can might be set at 98% RTP at one casino, it could be 92% at another.
- Select high RTP games: Always check the game settings or the “Game Payouts” section in the casino footer to find the return-to-player (RTP) percentages for the slots you plan to play.
- Understand game volatility: High volatility slots pay out less frequently but offer the potential for bigger wins. Low volatility slots provide smaller, more frequent payouts. Choose a game that matches the type of returns and level of risk you are comfortable with.
Remember, no strategy can guarantee success in slot games due to their random nature, but adhering to these principles can help players improve their winning prospects.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top slot machines with the highest RTP to play in 2025?
Our top ten list of the highest paying slots includes games with RTPs of 99%, including Book of 99, Ooh Aah Dracula, Mega Joker, and Monopoly Big Event.
How can I find high RTP slots at online casinos?
We always recommend playing at reputable online casinos that are regulated and licensed. This allows you to check the individual game payouts, either in the game settings or in the “Game Payouts” section listed by the casinos. Unfortunately, many providers now offer games with variable payout levels, so you’ll need to verify the RTP figures at each casino you play at.
Which online slots have the best returns in 2025?
A period of early slot releases around ten years ago featured games with payout levels of 99%. These classic-style games are still available at many casinos today, and are still your best chance of high returns. Some newer slots, such as Madame Mystique Megaways, Money Cart 2, and The Catfather, offer payouts of 98% or above.
What are the game providers that offer the highest RTP slots?
Most new slot releases offer similar payouts ranging from 97% to 98%, so you can’t go wrong with any of the major brands. Trusted developers like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Push Gaming, and others provide games with competitive RTPs.
Where can I play free slots with no deposit required?
Here at Slotspod.com, we provide exclusive early access to the latest slot releases, allowing you to play them for free before they appear in casinos. You can also view our casino reviews to get exclusive offers when you sign up at new casinos. We offer no-deposit free spins bonuses, welcome bonus packages with your first deposits, giveaways, and more.