Slot guides
What the numbers in our calendar mean, and how to read them.
All guides
- Guide · updated 19 Oct 2026
Slot terms glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms in our calendar, from RTP and volatility to Hold and Win.
- Guide · updated 19 Oct 2026
What RTP means, and why one slot can have several
How return to player works, why providers publish more than one RTP for the same game, and how we show it.
- Guide · updated 19 Oct 2026
What slot volatility means, and how providers rate it
How volatility differs from RTP, the scales providers use to rate it, and why most new slots don't publish a rating.
- Legal tracker
US gambling law by state
Where real-money casinos, sweepstakes casinos and sports betting stand in all 50 states and DC.
Which guide to read
Start with what RTP means if you want to know why one slot shows several RTPs and which one a casino runs. Volatility covers how wins are spread out, why providers rate it on different scales, and why most new games don't publish a rating. The glossary defines the other terms on our cards, from Megaways to bonus buys.
The legal tracker sets out where real-money online casinos, sweepstakes casinos and online sports betting stand in each state, with the source behind every status. How we compile the calendar explains where each date and figure comes from and what counts as a US sighting.