Transparent data instead of intuition: New features show how popular a slot really is – or isn’t.
Real-time RTP, hot and cold slots, and volatility: what’s behind the new transparency features in online casinos?
Online casinos are increasingly relying on transparency features to help players make more informed decisions. Two of these features—real-time RTP and “hot” and “cold” slot designations—are becoming increasingly important. But what exactly do they mean? And how do they relate to the often-overlooked volatility of a game?
RTP is the basis of all slot machines
The term RTP (return to player) plays a key role in assessing the odds of winning in a slot game. It describes the theoretical percentage of all bets that will be paid out to players over the long term.
Classic example:
A slot with an RTP of 96% means that on average €96 out of every €100 bet will return to players in the form of winnings over the long term.
However, this figure is purely statistical. It is based on millions of simulated spins calculated by the game developer in a laboratory setting, and not on actual player behavior in online casinos.
Real-time RTP: A Reality Check for Players
Some platforms now offer their clients an innovative feature: real-time RTP. This is a dynamic metric based on actual bets and wins over a specific period, such as the last 24 or 48 hours, on the respective platform, not globally.
Here’s how it works:
Real-time RTP = (sum of all payouts) ÷ (sum of all bets) × 100
Users can immediately see whether a particular slot machine has recently paid out above or below average wins, and can then make their own decisions based on that.
Example:
- Total bets in the last 24 hours: €1,000,000
- Payouts: 950,000 euros
- Real-time RTP: 95%
Why this is interesting:
While classic RTP represents a long-term average, real-time RTP shows how the game has performed recently. This gives players a more transparent picture of the slot’s “pulse,” although caution is still advised: past wins do not predict future returns.
Hot and Cold Slots: Emotional Guides
Another popular feature, often used in parallel, is labeling slot machines as “Hot” or “Cold.” The idea is that slots that have recently paid out above-average (hot) or below-average (cold) amounts are marked accordingly—often with flame or ice symbols.
What’s behind this?
The classification of “hot” or “cold” is not always based on precisely calculated RTP values, but often on simplified metrics:
- Number of wins
- Average winning amount
- Time since the last “big” victory
- Slot popularity (e.g. number of players)
These labels are intended to provide quick and intuitive orientation, but they are significantly less transparent than real-time RTP, which is displayed as a percentage.
Real-time vs. Hot/Cold RTP: The Difference
Real-time RTP
Type of representation:percentage, for example, 94.7%
Data base:precise calculation based on real game indicators
Transparency:High – traceability and verifiability
Refresh rate:continuously or at intervals (for example, every hour)
Impact on players:informative, analytically useful.
Hot and Cold Slots
Presentation type:symbol or color coding
Database:Frequency and amount of winnings
Transparency:low – no specific figures
Refresh rate:variable, often daily or less frequently
Impact on players:emotional, playful and psychological.
ConclusionReal-time RTP is suitable for analytical players who want to control their gaming behavior. Slots with a “hot/cold” effect appeal more to intuition, but can also lead to false expectations.
Volatility is an often overlooked variable.
Another important factor influencing gameplay (and often underestimated) is a game’s volatility. It describes how widely a slot’s payouts are spread out, meaning how risky or stable its performance is.
Two types of volatility:
Low volatility
Frequent but small wins; slight fluctuations
High volatility
Rare but larger wins; long dry spells possible
A high volatility game may have the same RTP as a low volatility game, but the gameplay is completely different.
A slot with an RTP of 96% and high volatility might not pay out for a long time, but then suddenly start paying out 500 times the bet.
A slot with the same RTP but low volatility will regularly pay out smaller amounts, making it appear more consistent.
How does volatility affect real-time RTP?
Volatility is particularly noticeable in real-time RTP:
- High-volatility slotsexhibit more extreme fluctuations: one big win can significantly increase the value, while long periods of losses can reduce it.
- Low volatility slotsprovide more stable values - here the real-time RTP is usually closer to the classical theoretical RTP.
For players, this means that a slot that seems “hot” today could be affected by a single strong event – typical of high volatility.
Between statistics, strategy and entertainment
The integration of real-time RTP and hot/cold betting features in online casinos demonstrates that transparency and user experience are becoming increasingly important. This information can help players more consciously shape their gaming behavior, provided they understand the context:
- Classic RTP is a long-term benchmark.
- Real-time RTP provides insight into current player behavior.
- The labels “hot” and “cold” are simplified emotional cues.
- And volatility explains why a slot can sometimes feel “hot” or “cold” – even with the same RTP.
Ultimately, however, gambling is still gambling. No statistics in the world can predict randomness, but reliable information can help you play more wisely.
BingBong and JackpotPiraten: RTP in Premium Mode
Since February 2025, both platforms have offered paid premium subscriptions that grant access to slots with increased or “maximized” RTP.
Information from tests/experience:
- Premium slots from JackpotPiraten and BingBong have an RTP in the range of 94–94.8% – after paying the German wagering tax of 5.3%.
- Examples: Extreme Riches by Gamomat at JackpotPiraten: base RTP around 88%, maximum RTP around 90%.
- Other slots that boast maximum RTPs include Ancient Magic with 94.11%, Chili Bomba, and Book of Crazy Chicken.
GGL License: Security and Transparency
In Germany, only suppliers included in the official GGL whitelist are legal. All toys must meet the following criteria:
- Legally compliant RTP disclosure
- Fairness (e.g. through independent RNG certificates)
- Player protection and prevention measures
BingBong and JackpotPiraten operate completely legally in Germany and are included in the official whitelist of the German Gambling Authority (GGL).
Both offers are operated by DGGS Deutsche Gesellschaft für Glücksspiel mbH and are officially licensed in accordance with the requirements of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021).
They are therefore subject to strict regulatory requirements under German gambling law, including transparency obligations, player protection requirements and the provision of fair gaming conditions.
Slots with the highest RTP at JackpotPiraten and BingBong
As part of their premium membership, both platforms offer exclusive Max RTP versions of the following popular slots:
- Extreme Riches (Novoline): RTP 88,03% → 90,00%
- Apollo is the God of the Sun(Novoline): RTP 88.07% →90,00%
- Duck Shooter (Gamomat): RTP 88,23% → 94,11%
- Royal Seven (Gamomat): RTP ~90,18% → 94,12%
- Fruit mania(Gamomat): RTP ~90.21% →94,14%
- Ancient magic(Gamomat): RTP 88.22% →94,11%
- Chili Bomb(Novolin): RTP 88.41% →90,00%
Other Gamomat/Novoline games in the Max RTP rating: Book of Crazy Chicken, Fruit Paradise 10, Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe, Book of Beyond, Book of Juno, Books & Bulls Red Hot Firepot, etc.
Comparison of popular slots on GGL platforms
- 1. Extreme Wealth (Novoline/Greentube)
- Jackpot Pirates/BingBong (Max. RTP): 90.00%
- Lapalingo: also 90.00% RTP
- 2. Duck Shooter (Gamomat)
- Jackpot Pirates/BingBong (Max RTP): 94.11%
- Casumo: The game is available; the exact RTP in the review is around 96.09%
- Lapalingo: 92.10% reported
- 3. Royal Seven (Gamomat)
- Jackpot Pirates/BingBong (Max RTP): 94.12%
- Casumo: slot is present, community RTP is around 92.6%
- 4. Fruit Mania (Gamomat)
- Jackpot Pirates/BingBong (Max RTP): 94.14%
- Community (slot tracker): RTP around 87–88%
- 5. Ancient Magic (Gamomat)
- Jackpot Pirates/BingBong (Max RTP): 94.11%
- Lapalingo: 92.12% RTP
- Recommendation
- JackpotPiraten and BingBong offer significantly improved RTP rates for some slots, with maximum RTP rates reaching 94%–94.14%.
- Other gaming halls sometimes show completely different base values:
- Duck Shooter: RTP 92–96%
- Royal Seven: approximately 92–94%
- Fruit Mania: Values vary widely (~88% Community, 94% Premium)
- Ancient Magic: 92–94%
- Extreme Riches offers a stable RTP of 90% across multiple platforms.
Recommendation:For slots like Duck Shooter or Ancient Magic, it’s worth signing up for a premium subscription to BingBong and JackpotPiraten to take advantage of the RTP. Other platforms only offer base values, which are usually lower.
Transparency, comparability, and informed slot selection in the regulated online gambling market
The German online gambling market is undergoing a transformation towards greater security, transparency, and comparability. Platforms like BingBong and JackpotPiraten, operated by the German Gambling Authority (DGGS Deutsche Gesellschaft für Glücksspiel mbH), are fully licensed by the German Gambling Association (GGL) and offer an innovative model for increasing payouts through the concept of maximum RTP on slots, especially for premium users.
A direct comparison shows that, thanks to targeted premium offers, many slots on these platforms achieve RTP values over 94%, making them attractive under German law.
For players, this means that those who place bets on certain slots, also available on JackpotPiraten and BingBong, can take advantage of the premium feature. However, those seeking the highest theoretical RTP should pay special attention to well-known high-RTP slots among the wide range of GGL-regulated offerings.
Overall, it’s clear that the comparison is justified. The combination of licensed player protection, disclosure of RTP values, and new models like the Max RTP offer allows for informed and responsible gaming decisions—entirely in keeping with modern, regulated online gambling in Germany.