Impact of Bonus Features on Overall RTP Rates

The return-to-player (RTP) percentage indicates the theoretical payout rate or the amount a slot machine or game pays back to players over time. Most slots and online casino games advertise their RTP rates prominently to players as it gives an indication of the game’s generosity and winning potential. These can significantly impact the actual long-term payouts players receive. Understanding how various bonus features, such as a Spinago VIP, affect overall RTP can help players better evaluate games.

Volatility in Games

The volatility of a game can also impact how bonus features affect actual returns over time. High volatility slots with larger but less frequent payouts rely more heavily on jackpot bonuses and features to increase RTP rates. Low volatility games provide more consistent small wins from the base game itself. So bonus features have less influence on the overall RTP. Therefore, players who prefer volatile games with big jackpot potential should target slots with particularly lucrative and frequently triggered bonuses. However, low volatility game players may focus more on base game hit frequency and payouts than bonuses when choosing titles.

Bonus Games and Features that Increase RTP

Certain bonus features built into slots and other games can dramatically increase overall RTP rates and player payouts over time. Some key examples include:

Free Spins

Free spin bonuses triggered during the base game allow players to spin the reels without placing additional wagers. These effectively increase overall RTP rates. Games with more frequent and generous free spin bonuses tend to pay out more over many plays.

Pick Me Bonuses

Many slots include second-screen pick me or pick a box style bonus games. These present players with a selection of hidden prizes. The RTP increases based on the average value of prizes awarded. More lucrative pick me bonuses improve overall payout rates.

Progressive Jackpots

Progressives take a small percentage of each bet to fund escalating pooled jackpots. When triggered, these can pay tens of thousands of times more than the bet amount. Even a few big progressive jackpot wins can drastically push up lifetime RTP rates.

Features that Reduce RTP

Of course, not all bonus features end up being beneficial. Some actually reduce the overall RTP rates compared to the advertised base game rates:

Cascading Wins

Some slots feature cascading wins or respins after big wins with winning symbols removed. These tend to recycle wins rather than paying out more overall. So they effectively dilute RTP rates.

Bonus Buy-In Features

Some games offer bonus buy-in features which allow players to purchase access to bonus games by staking extra funds. As players have to wager additional money for bonus entry, the overall weighted RTP accounting for the buy-ins is lower.

Mini-Games and Skill-Based Bonuses

Bonus mini-games that incorporate skill, dexterity, or luck-based elements like picking shells on a beach often award relatively trivial prizes. These lower the average value of bonuses and reduce overall RTP.

The volatility of a game can also impact how bonus features affect actual returns over time. High volatility slots with larger but less frequent payouts rely more heavily on jackpot bonuses and features to increase RTP rates. Low volatility games provide more consistent small wins from the base game itself. So bonus features have less influence on the overall RTP. Therefore, players who prefer volatile games with big jackpot potential should target slots with particularly lucrative and frequently triggered bonuses. However, low volatility game players may focus more on base game hit frequency and payouts than bonuses when choosing titles.