Many players know that minimizing risk and maximizing potential returns starts long before the first spin. It begins with thoughtful choices – from selecting trusted platforms to targeting high-performing games. While there are many resources that list the best gambling sites online, this article focuses on another critical factor: the slots themselves.
For any slot player, the Return to Player (RTP) rate is a key factor to consider. RTP represents the percentage of all wagered money that a slot machine is expected to pay back to players over time. The higher the RTP, the more favorable the long-term payout is for the player. To put RTP into perspective, consider a quick example.
For example, a slot game with a 90% RTP would theoretically return about $90 for every $100 wagered, while the remaining $10 would represent the casino’s edge. In the same way, a 98% RTP slot would give back $98 on average out of $100 bet. Keep in mind this is a statistical long-term expectation – in any given session your results will vary, but playing higher RTP games improves your odds of getting more of your money back over time. Below, we’ve collected five of the most rewarding slot machines with the highest RTP in 2025.
Goblin’s Cave is a classic 3-reel slot that famously offers one of the highest RTP values ever seen (around 99.3%). This quirky game has a treasure-hoarding goblin theme and a unique hold feature: after the first spin, you can hold certain symbols in place and spin again, allowing for strategic play. With simple graphics and a 3×3 layout, it may look old-school, but its generous payout percentage keeps players coming back. Goblin’s Cave is low to medium volatility, meaning wins occur fairly frequently (though usually on the smaller side).
Example feature: Hold the best symbols (like lamps and crowns) on the first row to improve your chances on the second spin, which is key to achieving that top RTP.
Another record-holder from Playtech, Ugga Bugga boasts about a 99.1% RTP, putting it in the same elite category as Goblin’s Cave. This slot has an unusual layout with 10 mini-playlines stacked in a 3×1 grid format. After the first spin, you choose symbols to hold, and a second spin plays out across all 10 lines – effectively giving you multiple chances to win from a single wager. The game carries a tribal jungle theme with mask and totem symbols. Ugga Bugga’s volatility is low, so while you won’t hit massive jackpots in one go, you’ll notice frequent smaller wins that slowly build your bankroll.
Tip: Holding the right symbol (often the highest-paying mask) across all lines is crucial – this strategy is what elevates the RTP to its maximum potential.
Mega Joker is a well-known classic fruit machine and one of the slots with highest RTP around 99%. Developed by NetEnt, it features a retro 3-reel, 5-payline setup with cherries, lemons, and joker symbols, reminiscent of vintage one-armed bandits. The slot has a two-tier gameplay: a base game and a Supermeter mode. When you land wins in the base game (at max bet), you can choose to collect them or play them in the Supermeter mode (the upper set of reels) for a shot at bigger payouts. It’s in this Supermeter mode at max coin bet that Mega Joker achieves its 99% RTP – otherwise, the RTP is lower. The volatility is high, meaning Mega Joker can be quite streaky: you might go many spins with no big win, then hit a large payout. This game also includes a progressive jackpot element, adding to its appeal.
Example: Betting 10 coins per spin and using the Supermeter is key – for instance, two jokers on a Supermeter line can pay a mystery win up to 2,000 coins, which is how the game yields such a high long-term payout.
One of the newest slots to break into the 99% RTP club, Book of 99 offers a flat 99.0% return without any complicated betting strategies needed. This 5-reel, 10-payline video slot is themed around Greek mythology and adventure, giving a fresh twist to the popular “Book of…” slot genre. It features expanding symbols in free spins like other “Book” games, but with a unique addition: a collect feature where every wild/scatter book symbol contributes to a counter. Collect 99 book symbols during play, and you automatically trigger the bonus free spins round. This ensures that even if luck isn’t on your side initially, you are guaranteed a bonus after enough spins – which helps maintain that high RTP. Book of 99 is a high volatility slot, so wins can be scarce in the base game but quite substantial when they hit.
Example: Every time a book symbol lands, notice the counter increment. Hitting 99 triggers 10 free spins with a special expanding symbol, essentially assuring you get to the bonus eventually – a feature that helps this game reach its extraordinary RTP.
Jackpot 6000 is another classic 3×3 reel slot from NetEnt, very similar in style to Mega Joker, and it nearly matches the 99% RTP mark (approximately 98.8% when played optimally). The theme is a traditional fruit machine with a jester (joker) as the star symbol, and it even mimics the look of a physical casino cabinet. Like Mega Joker, Jackpot 6000 has a high-variance, high-reward design: it features a Supermeter mode and a gamble option. Any win can be gambled in a double-or-nothing coin toss, and if you wager max credits, you can transfer winnings to the Supermeter for a chance to hit the game’s namesake 6000-coin top prize. The RTP is highest if you always use max bet and make use of the Supermeter feature; playing at lower bets yields a significantly lower RTP. Volatility is high, meaning long dry spells can occur, but the potential payout for hitting three Jokers in the Supermeter (the jackpot) is what gives this slot its appeal.
Insight: Experienced players treat Jackpot 6000 as a game of skill – for example, they might follow an optimal strategy of when to enter or cash out of Supermeter mode, aiming to capitalize on the game’s best payout odds.
Below is a quick comparison of the five highest-RTP slots discussed above, including their software providers and volatility levels:
| Slot Machine | Provider | RTP | Volatility |
| Goblin’s Cave | Playtech | 99.3% | Low-Medium |
| Ugga Bugga | Playtech | ~99.1% | Low |
| Mega Joker | NetEnt | Up to 99% | High |
| Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 99.0% | High |
| Jackpot 6000 | NetEnt | 98.8% | High |
Ultimately, while playing the slots with the highest RTP gives you a mathematical edge, remember that RTP is a long-term average, not a guarantee for any given session. Even a 99% RTP slot can have dry spells (especially if it’s high volatility), and a 95% RTP slot can surprise you with a big win. Use RTP as one of several factors in choosing a game – alongside theme, features, and volatility that match your preferences.
