UK online casino operators are responding to increased gambling duties by reassessing their return-to-player (RTP) settings on slot games, with early indications suggesting a broader strategic shift across the market.

RTP represents the theoretical percentage of stakes that a game returns to players over time. While it does not determine individual outcomes in the short term, it remains a key metric in shaping the long-term player experience and perceived value. Importantly, RTP is not a fixed characteristic across all platforms; many slot titles are developed with multiple RTP configurations, allowing operators to select a setting that aligns with their commercial and operational strategy.

Following the adjustment to Remote Gaming Duty on 1 April, analysts tracked the RTP levels of 20 widely played slot titles across a range of UK-facing operators. Their findings suggest that several operators have reduced RTP settings, effectively increasing their margin on these games. This trend is widely interpreted as a strategic response to the increase from 21% to 40% on duty on the gross profits from slots and table games.

While changes to RTP are not uncommon in the industry, the timing and consistency of these adjustments across multiple operators point to a coordinated response to rising costs. By selecting lower RTP configurations, operators are able to offset some of the financial impact of increased taxation without altering the visible structure or gameplay of the titles themselves. For many players, however, these changes may go unnoticed unless they actively review game information.

Against this backdrop, a comparative analysis found that Hollywoodbets UK recorded the highest average RTP among the operators reviewed. The operator was also noted for consistently selecting the highest available RTP versions of the games included in the study, matching or exceeding the configurations offered by competitors.

Don Barker, Head of Operations at Hollywoodbets UK, indicated that this approach forms part of a broader product strategy centred on consistency and transparency.

'RTP is one of several configurable parameters that directly influences the long-term performance profile of a game', he said.

'In light of the recent duty changes, there has been a clear shift across the market in how operators are approaching those configurations. From our side, we've taken a more structured view—maintaining the highest available RTP settings across a defined set of core titles, while ensuring that those configurations are consistently applied and clearly surfaced to players.'

To support this approach, the company has published a detailed breakdown of the games included in the analysis — such asBig Bass Splash,Gates of OlympusandBook of Dead— alongside RTP data and the methodology used. This level of transparency enables players to make more informed decisions, allowing them to quickly identify which titles are configured at the highest RTP settings without needing to navigate individual game menus.

Industry analysts note that RTP variations between operators, even on identical games, are not always immediately visible to players. In most cases, this information is only accessible through in-game help screens or detailed information panels, which can make direct comparisons difficult. For players who are unaware of these differences, the assumption may be that the same game performs identically across platforms, which is not always the case.

Source: International Business Times UK