Gambling terms, explained straight

Slots & Gaming Machines

Highroller slots

Highroller slots is a promotional label for slot machines with a higher-than-average return-to-player percentage, not a distinct game category.

Typical RTP range
96% to 98%; above 98% is rare23
High-payout threshold
Above 96% on one source, above 97% on another23
Average slot RTP
About 96%2

Key points

  • The term is not a standard technical category; it is used descriptively or promotionally for high-RTP slots.23
  • Gameplay is identical to regular slots; the label refers only to the payout profile, not a separate mechanic.12
  • The label applies to reel-based games including video slots, with RTP typically between 96% and 98%.12

Where this term is used

Slots Slot machine The broad category of reel-based casino games that includes highroller slots. Slots Casino slots Slot machines found in physical or online casinos, which may be labelled highroller. Slots Bingo slots Slots themed around bingo, distinct from high-payout slots. Slots Gambling slots A general term for slot machines used for gambling, not a specific category. Slots Slots spin Refers to the act of spinning the reels, a basic mechanic of all slots. Slots Slot machine price Slot machine price is the stake a player inserts or pays to start a single game on a slot machine

Sources

  1. Slot Machine Odds in Las Vegas wizardofodds.com Establishes that highroller slots is not a standard technical term and that gameplay is identical to regular slots.
  2. Best Payout Slots by Software ᐈ #1 Guide for High RTP ... wizardofodds.com Provides RTP thresholds (above 96% or 97%) and confirms the term is used descriptively for high-payout slots.
  3. Highest Payout Slots for US Players wizardofodds.com Supports the RTP ranges and the non-standard nature of the label.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.