What is volatility in slot games?

Volatility is a way of describing how wins tend to behave in a slot game. In simple terms, it helps explain whether a game is more likely to offer smaller, more frequent wins or larger, less frequent wins.

You might see a slot game described as low, medium or high volatility. This is simply a way of explaining how wins tend to be spread over time in a particular game.

No two slot games feel the same, and volatility is one of the reasons why. Some games may feel steadier, while others may feel more unpredictable. Either way, every round is still random, so previous results never influence what happens next.

How does volatility work?

Volatility helps describe how a game's wins are usually spread out over time.

A low-volatility game may be designed so smaller prizes appear more often. A high-volatility game may have prizes that appear less often but can be larger when they do land.

The Gambling Commission describes low volatility as more predictable and mostly made up of "small and often" prizes. High volatility might include prizes that are "very large but rare".

Why does it matter?

One game might feel quite different from the next, even if they share similar features. Volatility plays a part in that, alongside things like the game's design, prizes and bonus features.

Volatility can't tell you when a win will happen or whether you'll win at all. It's simply there to describe how wins tend to be spread throughout a game.

What does low volatility mean?

Low volatility usually means smaller wins may happen more often. Because of this, the game may feel a little steadier, with winning rounds appearing more regularly.

As an example: a low-volatility game might award several smaller prizes throughout a session rather than concentrating most of its prize value into a few larger wins.

In simple terms, it means:

• Wins may appear more often
• Prizes are usually smaller
• The game may feel steadier
• Results are still random
• Losses can still happen

What does high volatility mean?

High volatility usually means wins may happen less often, but prizes can be larger when they do land. Because of this, the game may feel less predictable than a lower-volatility game.

As an example: a high-volatility game may have longer gaps between winning rounds, but some of its prizes may be larger when they appear.

In simple terms, it means:

• Wins may happen less often
• Prizes may be larger when they land
• The game may feel less predictable
• Results are still random
• Larger prizes are never guaranteed

What does medium volatility mean?

This sits somewhere between low and high volatility. Games in this category might include a mix of smaller wins, more regularly and larger prizes that appear less often.

What does that mean in practice?

Compared with a low-volatility game, the gameplay may feel a little less steady. Compared with a high-volatility game, it may feel a little more consistent. Exactly how it plays will depend on the game itself.

In simple terms, it means:

• Wins might appear at a moderate rate compared to low and high volatility
• Prize sizes may vary
• The game may feel somewhere between low and high volatility
• Results are still random
• No outcome is guaranteed

Like any slot game, every round is still random. Medium volatility doesn't mean every session will feel the same. It's simply a way of describing how wins tend to behave within a game.

Volatility vs RTP: what’s the difference?

Volatility and RTP are both used to describe slot games, but they tell you different things.

RTP

RTP stands for Return to Player. It shows how much a game is designed to pay back over a very large number of plays. It doesn't tell you what will happen in your next round or during a single session.

At a glance

• RTP looks at a game's expected return to players over time.
• Volatility looks at how a game's wins are spread over time.

Because of this, two games can have a similar RTP but still feel very different to play. One might offer smaller wins more often, while another may have wins that happen less regularly but can be larger when they land. Both may have a similar return to the player over time.

If you'd like to learn more about long-term return, read our guide to What is RTP?

Ready to learn more?

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