How much they lose in casinos without withdrawing winnings
Why winning is important
Slot machines and online slots are designed so that the expectation is always negative for the player. RTP (Return to Player) only reflects the average return over a long distance, but House Edge guarantees casino profits.
The RTP of offline machines in Australia ranges from 85 to 90%, which means a 10-15% withholding on each bet.
RTP of online slots is 95-98%, but even here the casino retains the advantage.
What happens without withdrawing winnings
If the player continues to play until the balance is zero:
Mathematical example
The player makes a deposit of 100 AUD in the slot with an RTP of 90%.
After a series of bets, some of the funds are returned as winnings, but the average loss will be 10 AUD for every 100 AUD bets.
If the player does not stop and withdraw money, then in a few sessions the deposit will burn completely.
In the online RTP slot, 96% losses will be 4 AUD for every 100 AUD bets, but with endless play, the outcome is identical - the bankroll is reset to zero.
Psychology and player behavior
Non-withdrawal of winnings is often associated with the illusion of "a little more, and lucky."
Studies show that it is the lack of withdrawal limits that is the key factor leading to the complete loss of the deposit.
High rollers are especially at risk: even large winnings (tens of thousands of AUD) often go back into the game if they were not recorded in a timely manner.
Implications for Australians' spending
In 2025, total spending on slot machines is growing, and a significant part of these amounts is lost precisely due to the lack of practice of withdrawing winnings.
For the average gambler, this turns gambling into a guaranteed expense, rather than a form of potential earnings.
Thus, the casino makes impeccable money on those who do not record winnings - for them, RTP turns from a theoretical chance into a fiction.
Conclusion
A player who does not display winnings loses everything until the last dollar. RTP and random drifts give the illusion of a return, but mathematics and practice inevitably lead to a complete loss of the deposit. In the context of 2025, it is this category of player that forms the most significant share of casino revenue in Australia.
Slot machines and online slots are designed so that the expectation is always negative for the player. RTP (Return to Player) only reflects the average return over a long distance, but House Edge guarantees casino profits.
The RTP of offline machines in Australia ranges from 85 to 90%, which means a 10-15% withholding on each bet.
RTP of online slots is 95-98%, but even here the casino retains the advantage.
What happens without withdrawing winnings
If the player continues to play until the balance is zero:
- Any winnings eventually return to the game and eventually go back to the casino.
- Even large drifts do not change the result: with a long game, the winnings are again "given" to the machine.
- In the long term, the player loses 100% of all deposits.
Mathematical example
The player makes a deposit of 100 AUD in the slot with an RTP of 90%.
After a series of bets, some of the funds are returned as winnings, but the average loss will be 10 AUD for every 100 AUD bets.
If the player does not stop and withdraw money, then in a few sessions the deposit will burn completely.
In the online RTP slot, 96% losses will be 4 AUD for every 100 AUD bets, but with endless play, the outcome is identical - the bankroll is reset to zero.
Psychology and player behavior
Non-withdrawal of winnings is often associated with the illusion of "a little more, and lucky."
Studies show that it is the lack of withdrawal limits that is the key factor leading to the complete loss of the deposit.
High rollers are especially at risk: even large winnings (tens of thousands of AUD) often go back into the game if they were not recorded in a timely manner.
Implications for Australians' spending
In 2025, total spending on slot machines is growing, and a significant part of these amounts is lost precisely due to the lack of practice of withdrawing winnings.
For the average gambler, this turns gambling into a guaranteed expense, rather than a form of potential earnings.
Thus, the casino makes impeccable money on those who do not record winnings - for them, RTP turns from a theoretical chance into a fiction.
Conclusion
A player who does not display winnings loses everything until the last dollar. RTP and random drifts give the illusion of a return, but mathematics and practice inevitably lead to a complete loss of the deposit. In the context of 2025, it is this category of player that forms the most significant share of casino revenue in Australia.
