Lower RTPs: Foreign operators are sacrificing players’ winnings
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1 May 2026 •
Reading time: 4 minutes
Faced with soaring government taxes, many British and Dutch operators are choosing to lower the RTP of their slot machines to protect their profit margins.
Gambling taxes have been increased in many countries, including England and the Netherlands. Faced with this increase, many operators have chosen to lower the RTP of their slot machines to preserve their margins. This financial manoeuvre directly penalises the player, who sees their budget dwindle much more quickly without realising it.
Belgium stands in stark contrast to this new trend thanks to uncompromising legislation that effectively freezes payout rates to prevent any manipulation.
iGaming Business has just revealed the scale of the phenomenon in the UK. Developers are receiving strict instructions to curb slot machines. The historical standard rates, which used to hover comfortably around 96%, have now been whittled down to 94%, with increasingly frequent requests to reach an aggressive floor of 92%.
Understanding the mechanics of variable RTP brackets
To grasp the seriousness of this manipulation, one must look behind the scenes at the development studios. Slot machine developers now provide the same titles with several built-in payout profiles. This is the technique known as RTP tiers.
A popular game is delivered to a casino with configurable settings. In an unregulated or permissive market, the operator is free to select the lowest profile via their own admin panel. They mathematically increase their house edge without even altering the game’s visual interface. The player spins the same slot, with the same graphics and music, but their chances of winning are quietly reduced.
For Belgian players gambling at a legal online casino, there is no risk. The law is strict and casinos cannot alter the RTP. They are required to adhere to the RTP that was approved for the Belgian gaming licence.
Direct financial impact on the player
A reduction of three or four per cent seems negligible on paper. But the mathematical reality hits players’ wallets with brutal force. A drop in the RTP alters the frequency of bonus features and destroys the volatility of the small, regular wins that keep the balance afloat.
In the short term, the operator reaps an immediate profit. For the player, the experience deteriorates at an alarming rate. Money lasts far less time and entertainment quickly turns to frustration. Gaming sessions become shorter and the feeling of playing on a rigged machine sets in.
Holland Casino’s total lack of transparency
This phenomenon extends far beyond British borders. Our Dutch neighbours are enduring a similar austerity policy. The government recently imposed a massive increase in gambling tax.
Local operators have responded by immediately revising their payout policies to offset these new costs. This is the case with Holland Casino. Their payout rates have become remarkably opaque, and Dutch punters now struggle to find accurate information on the return percentages of the platform’s games.
The black market is capitalising on this race for profitability
The decision to sacrifice players’ returns to pay taxes is causing a devastating knock-on effect. Analysts note that the deterioration in the user experience is directly fuelling the black market.
When punters notice that their bankrolls are dwindling and bonuses are disappearing, they abandon certified sites. They then turn to underground networks that promise huge winnings to attract those disillusioned with the legal system. The tax measure undermines the appeal of the regulated market.
Belgian law guarantees absolute mathematical fairness
As we have explained, the situation in Belgium offers a reassuring contrast. The Gaming Commission (GC) anticipated this type of manipulation years ago by establishing a technical framework of uncompromising rigour. Within Belgium, a legal operator has absolutely no control over the source code of the games it hosts.
The payout rate is certified in advance by independent audit laboratories and permanently enshrined in law. If you play a slot machine displaying an RTP of 96.5% at a legal Belgian casino, you will find the exact same mathematical rate across all other certified platforms in the country. The game is fixed. No discreet reduction or manipulation of the payout rates is technically feasible for the casino.