Hourly Cost of Play Calculator
Enter your stake, how many rounds you expect in an hour, and the game’s published RTP. The result is the theoretical average cost of that pace — a long-run statistic, not a forecast of the next hour. 18+ only.
Amounts are shown in dollarsfor reading — the arithmetic is the same. This is not an operator’s settlement currency.
Enter the numbers and press Calculate hourly cost. The worked example below shows the same math by hand.
How this is calculated
The model is arithmetic on the numbers you enter — nothing is fetched from any casino, and worked figures are hypothetical examples.
House edge
100% − RTP
The average share of every stake the game keeps over the long run.
Average cost per round
stake × house edge
Average cost per hour
cost per round × rounds per hour
A long-run average at the pace you typed, not a session forecast.
Session length
cost per hour × hours
Optional. Still an average, not a prediction of that sitting.
Pair this with the RTP and house-edge calculator if you want expected loss for a fixed number of rounds instead of an hourly pace. The sourcing contract is on the methodology page.
Worked example (hypothetical)
$1 per spin, 600 spins per hour, 96% RTP, for 2 hours:
- House edge
- 100% − 96% = 4%
- Average cost per round
- $1 × 4% = $0.04
- Average cost per hour
- $0.04 × 600 = $24
- Two-hour sitting (average)
- $24 × 2 = $48
Assumptions and limitations
- Pace and RTP are your inputs. Mixing games or changing stake mid-session changes the result.
- The model describes expected value only. It does not model volatility, hit frequency, or the spread of hourly outcomes.
- Results are education, not gambling, legal, tax, or financial advice, and never a claim about any operator.
Play within limits
Treat hourly cost as the price of entertainment you are choosing to pay on average — never as a target to chase or a forecast of what you will lose. Decide money and time limits before you play. The safer-play budget planner turns those limits into a session cap. If gambling is causing harm, use the responsible gambling page. 18+ only.
Frequently asked questions
Is this what I will lose in an hour?
No. It is a long-run average: stake × house edge × rounds per hour. A single hour is dominated by variance. You can finish well ahead or lose several times this figure.
Where does house edge come from?
House edge is 100% minus the RTP you enter. A 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge, meaning an average cost of $4 per $100 staked.
How do I estimate rounds per hour?
Use your own pace, not a published casino speed. Slower table games may be tens of hands an hour; faster slots can be hundreds of spins. The number is an assumption you type, not a claim about any game.
Does a higher RTP mean I will win?
No. A higher RTP only lowers the average cost of play. It does not predict a session and is not a way to beat the house.
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