Hold Percentage

Hold percentage is the actual amount of money a casino retains from the total drop (money exchanged for chips or deposited). While theoretically related to house edge, the actual hold percentage is often higher because players re-bet their winnings. For example, a slot with 4% house edge might have a 20%+ hold percentage because players cycle their bankroll through the machine multiple times. Understanding hold percentage helps players recognise that the 'cost' of playing is often higher than the nominal house edge suggests. Casinos target specific hold percentages for different game categories.