A Guide to Slot Volatility and RTP at Borgata Online

Slots

A Guide to Slot Volatility and RTP at Borgata Online

Slots

A close-up of an illustrated spinning slot reel with a red seven.

A Guide to Slot Volatility and RTP at Borgata Online

Slots

A close-up of an illustrated spinning slot reel with a red seven.

Slots are unquestionably the most popular games at any casino, and Borgata Online is no exception. But how much do you understand about how they work? 

Is it true that some online slot games pay out more often than others? What does the term “volatility” mean? How can you tell when a slot is ready to pay? What are the best slots at Borgata Online? You’ll discover the answers to all of these questions (and more) in this guide.

What Is RTP in Slots?

Two equally important factors affect how a slot machine pays out. The first is the game’s return to player (RTP) rate, which is expressed as a percentage. Put simply, this number illustrates the theoretical amount given back to players over an infinite period of time.

For example, imagine a game with an RTP of 96% (a figure that’s widely considered to be the industry average). This percentage suggests that, for every $100 spent playing that slot, $96 will be returned as prizes, with $4 retained by the casino.

Of course, it’s important to remember that slots are totally random. Contrary to popular belief, there is no way to find slot games that are likely to hit. Each spin is totally unrelated to the last and is just as likely to return a prize as any other. 

All you can do is look for slots with the highest RTP percentage, as they’ll give you the best chance of prolonging your bankroll. However, there’s just no way to tell if a slot will pay out or not.

How To Find a Slot’s RTP

Some casinos clearly display the RTP of a game in the lobby before you even select it. If they don’t, you’ll need to do a bit of research. Articles like this help you to find suitable slots. Otherwise, you’ll have to check each game manually. 

When playing a slot game, there’s always an information section that explains the rules and payouts. There’s usually a mention of a game’s RTP rate somewhere in that text. Be sure to take a close look, and if it’s too low for you, walk away and play something else.

If you identify a game developer that consistently offers lower-than-average RTPs, avoid their slots. You’ll also notice similar trends with creators consistently producing high RTP slots.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

Generally speaking, progressive jackpot slots offer lower RTPs than their non-jackpot counterparts. That’s because a fraction of each bet is taken and contributed to the ever-growing prize pool.

If 96% is the average RTP for a slot, don’t be surprised to see progressive jackpot games in the 88–94% region. Remember: you’re paying a slight price for taking a shot at a life-changing sum of money.

What Is Volatility in Slots?

A golden slot reel against a red background surrounded by gold coins.

The RTP reveals how much a game pays over time, but the volatility affects how it does that. Sometimes called “variance,” volatility refers to the frequency of payments. For instance, low-volatility slot machines tend to award many small prizes. It’s rare that you’ll encounter extremely long losing streaks with these games.

Games with higher levels of volatility pay much less frequently, but when they do, you’ll see greater returns.

Higher or Lower?

There’s not really a debate about RTP; it’s simply a case of “the bigger, the better.” However, the matter of low versus high slot volatility is a highly subjective one. Choosing the right game is all about your own personal preferences.

Modern industry trends mean that casinos are now flooded with high-volatility slot machines, and it’s not always easy to find low-variance games. But these are ideal for people playing slots on a budget. After all, a much bigger bankroll is required to deal with the swings of high-variance slots. Low-volatility, high RTP slots are the Holy Grail for players on smaller budgets.

How To Find Low-Volatility Slot Machines

If you think it’s tricky to find the RTP of a slot, it can be even tougher to determine the volatility level. Some developers, such as Pragmatic Play, state the game’s volatility as soon as it loads. However, most do not make it clear. 

Even when they do, there is no consistency between the many developers. Some use five-point scales, others favor scores out of ten, and some simply use descriptive words. There is a general rule, however, when it comes to identifying low-volatility games: The greater the RTP, the higher the level of volatility tends to be. 

Since you have a better chance of winning — in theory at least — the developer usually offsets this by increasing the level of risk.

Best Slots To Play at Borgata Online

As a world-renowned casino, Borgata Online offers a diverse collection of slots to suit all tastes. Here are three standout examples that are consistently among the most commonly played, all with different levels of variance.

Starburst

A screenshot of the Starburst slot. The game is set against the darkness of space with the light of the sun bursting around the curvature of a planet. The reels contain a variety of different colored gems of various shapes, including purple, yellow, and blue gems.
Software ProviderNetEnt
RTP96.1%
VolatilityLow
Jackpot TypeN/A
Paylines10
Reels5
Max Wager$100
Max Win500x

This classic NetEnt slot was released in 2012 and remains a fan favorite even after all this time. Starburst is set in space (as the name suggests), and the aim is to match brightly-colored jewels on any of the game’s 10 paylines. The betting limits are wide enough to appeal to players of all bankrolls, while the RTP is fairly high for such a low-volatility slot. 

Divine Fortune

A screenshot of the Divine Fortune slot. The game is set against a classic Greek temple with female statues holding trays above their heads on either side. The reels are filled with Greek symbols, as well as iconic mythological figures like Medusa and the minotaur.
Software ProviderNetEnt
RTP96.59%
VolatilityMedium
Jackpot TypeProgressive
Paylines20
Reels5
Max Wager$100
Max Win600x

Divine Fortune, another game from industry giant NetEnt, this slot was released in 2017. Its theme is one of ancient Greek mythology, which is portrayed in its gorgeous artwork (the depiction of Pegasus is especially stunning). What’s more, the RTP of this medium-volatility slot is huge, considering there’s also a progressive jackpot to be won.

Almighty Buffalo Megaways

A screenshot of Almighty Buffalo Megaways. The game is set against an American desert with mountains and a clear blue sky. The game reels are filled with a variety of animals, including wolves, bears, and the almighty buffalo, as well as regular slot symbols including A, K, Q, and J symbols.
Software ProviderWhite Hat Studios
RTP96.50%
VolatilityHigh
Jackpot TypeProgressive
PaylinesUp to 117,649
Reels6
Max Wager$10
Max Win50,000x

This 6-reel slot by White Hat Studios makes use of the dynamic Megaways engine, which varies the number of available paylines every spin. It’s a high-volatility game with a maximum potential win of 50,000x your bet. There are also three progressive jackpots up for grabs.

Enjoy Hundreds of the Best Slots at Borgata Online

Whether you prefer higher or lower levels of volatility, Borgata Online is the place to be for slots lovers. With a diverse collection, including penny slots, high RTP games, and dozens of entertaining themes, there’s sure to be something you’ll love. Register today and find out.