Latest news with #Starmania
LeMonde
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- LeMonde
Thomas Jolly, director of Paris 2024 Olympics ceremonies: 'You're always reminded of where you come from'
One year ago, France was buzzing with excitement for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies, Thomas Jolly delivered bold and extraordinary performances. At 43, the theater and opera director, known for his spectacular productions, such as his acclaimed staging of the musical Starmania, received an honorary Molière award, the French equivalent of the Tonys, in late April. I wouldn't have gotten here if… In French class at middle school, we hadn't read Le Médecin malgré lui [ The Doctor in Spite of Himself ] by Molière, and that first line spoken by Sganarelle at the beginning of the play, which I delivered in an extremely theatrical manner, banging on the table: "No! I tell you that I'll do nothing of the kind, and that it is for me to speak, and to be master." I was in sixth grade, I didn't know anything about theater, and it was the first time I had ever recited a line from the repertoire. But I understood you had to "give it some tone," and the teacher had asked me to perform it with anger. I did it, and I made my classmates laugh. Suddenly, it wasn't the same everyday laughter I heard that was hard to bear on the playground, in the cafeteria, or on the bus. This laughter was different, and it continued throughout my reading. That evening, when I got home to my parents, I wanted to do theater. I felt that it was a space where, even though you were exposed, you were also protected. What images do you keep from your childhood in the small village of La Rue-Saint-Pierre, in Normandy?
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Best RTP slots: Discover top-paying games, where to play
For slot players focused more on winning than flashy visuals or themes, Return to Player (RTP) is paramount to success. But not all high RTP slots are equal. Some offer consistent low-volatility payouts perfect for bonus wagering, while others hide massive payouts behind rare features and high variance. This guide will break down the top 10 high-RTP online slots available today for different types of players ― as well as where to play them legally and safely for real money. All betting and operator information provided by Top 10 RTP slot games in 2025 Among the 10 best RTP slots, NetEnt produces seven of them. This reflects the developer's strategic focus on low-volatility, high-return games that cater to budget-conscious or bonus-hunting players. In contrast, Big Time Gaming leans into volatility, favoring high-risk, high-reward structures like those seen in White Rabbit. These slots above can be found at the best online casinos. According to recent industry data, games with RTP above 97% typically account for just 3–5% of a casino's slot library, meaning most players never encounter them. If you enjoy this guide, you might also be interested in our tips for beginners looking to get started at online casinos. This classic slot from NetEnt has an RTP of 98%, which means the average player will receive $98 back from every $100 wagered. Blood Suckers was released 14 years ago, so the graphics are now a little dated compared to the hottest new releases, but it remains extremely popular and remains among the best RTP slots. Players love the high RTP percentage, the low volatility level, the vampire theme and the accessible gameplay, which has helped cement Blood Sucker's status as an enduring classic. It has 5 reels and 25 paylines, with a maximum win of 1,014.6x your bet amount. This five-reel, 10-payline online slot game from NextGen Gaming offers a very high RTP rate, a vibrant intergalactic theme and simple mechanics. It is playable at the best slot sites from just 10 cents per spin, and you can wager up to $20. Starmania contains an exciting free games feature, which players will trigger by landing three or more bonus symbols. You can retrigger it to land 30 bonus spins. The maximum win is 1,000x your stake. White Rabbit While Blood Suckers has the highest RTP, it's less appealing for thrill-seekers due to its low volatility and dated graphics. For a more dynamic experience with comparable returns, White Rabbit or Medusa Megaways offer modern design and bigger win potential, albeit with more risk. This popular online slot pays homage to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll's classic children's novel. You can venture down the rabbit hole in pursuit of large prizes, with a maximum win of 10,000x your bet amount on offer at this high RTP slot from Big Time Gaming, the company that created the Megaways feature. This is a Megaways game, with up to 248,832 paylines. And it has high volatility, which some players enjoy. The RTP is not quite as high as Blood Suckers, but it provides lots of additional, exciting features and sharper graphics, making White Rabbit one of the best online slots with highest RTP rates on the market. Medusa Megaways NextGen Gaming, which is owned by industry giant Scientific Games, released this entertaining online slot in 2019. It focuses on the Ancient Greek monster, who had snakes in her hair and the ability to turn anyone that caught her eye to stone. The standard RTP is 96.28%, but there is a buy pass feature that can push it up to 97.63%, offering direct access to a bonus spins round. As it is a Megaways game, there are more than 100,000 ways to win, and it offers impressive graphics, too. Guns N' Roses Rock on with Axl and Slash by playing this high RTP slot from NetEnt, which could take you down to Paradise City if your luck is in. As you would expect, it features a great soundtrack, including Sweet Child o' Mine, November Rain and other hits. Even if you are not a fan of the band, you should still enjoy the above-average RTP rate, the special features and the ability to unlock bonus spins. Guns N' Roses has 5 reels and 20 paylines. Blood Suckers 2 The sequel to the No. 1 game on our highest RTP slot list comes with a lower payout percentage, but there are still plenty of reasons to try out Blood Suckers 2. It improves on the original with better graphics, a higher max win (1,298x) and expanded bet limits ($0.25–$250) – but with slightly less RTP. It also offers a higher maximum win of up to 1,298x your bet amount. Blood Suckers 2 comes with better graphics and more features than the original game, too, so it is widely considered one of the best slot games RTP in the business. Jimi Hendrix Our overview of the slot machines with the highest RTP rates now arrives at another game focused on a legendary musician. This popular NetEnt slot features psychedelic graphics designed to evoke the flower power era, and the soundtrack features Purple Haze, Voodoo Child, Foxy Lady and many more hits. This fantastic and popular slot features ffive reels and 20 paylines. The minimum bet is 20 cents while the maximum per spin is $200. The top prize tops out at 8,000 coins. The game has fantastic animation and is simple to play. Butterfly Staxx The psychedelic graphics continue when you venture into the wonderful world of Butterfly Staxx, another NetEnt slot that is ubiquitous at licensed U.S. online casinos. Like Blood Suckers, it is a low volatility slot, and it offers larger bet limits of 40 cents to $400 per spin. This five-reel, 40-payline slot offers a variety of bonus features, and players can land a payout of up to 840x their stake if they rack up seven free butterfly spins. Dead or Alive Look for high-RTP slots with long bonus rounds or sticky wilds when clearing wagering requirements on bonuses. For example, Dead or Alive's bonus spin feature can compound your edge when paired with a low-wagering promo.' The maximum payout is 12,000x your bet amount, and it also features a very competitive RTP percentage, a captivating storyline and superb graphics. That has helped Dead or Alive emerge as one of the best RTP slot games, and it has spawned a popular sequel too. Fruit Shop This rundown of the casino slots with the highest RTP rates concludes with Fruit Shop, which replicates the classic fruit-themed slot machines found at land-based casinos. This is another old-school slot, which was released back in 2011, but it has endured while many other games have fallen away. That is testament to the simplicity of the gameplay, which features a five-reel, 15-payline layout, the fun theme, the high RTP rate and the chance to win up to 2,000x your stake. What does RTP mean in slots? RTP tells you the percentage of all wagered money that a slot is expected to pay back to players over time. So, while every spin is random, high RTP slots statistically reduce the house edge, giving you a better long-term shot at profiting. High RTP slot machines explained The average RTP rate for an online slot is around 96%. Anything above 96.5% is generally considered to have an appealing payout percentage, and games like Blood Suckers stand out at casino apps by offering an unusually high rate. All results are dictated by Random Number Generators, so there will be winners and losers, but chances of ending up in profit will go up with high RTP games. The RTP rate is often the first stat casino players look for when browsing games. Table games tend to have a higher RTP rate than slots – for example, the RTP on blackjack is typically above 99% – but there are lots of advantages to playing slot games. Many experienced players prefer them, as they offer better graphics and more exciting narratives, and they also generally count 100% towards completing the wagering requirements applied to bonus credits, whereas table games do not. If you play a game with a 98% RTP rate, you know that the average player gets $98 back from $100 wagered. By contrast, the average player will only receive $94.20 per $100 wagered when playing a slot with a 94.2% RTP rate. How to rate the best online slot sites The RTP rate is one of the most important considerations when choosing which online slot game to play. While some prefer certain free online slots, there are key factors to bear in mind with RTP slots. Prioritize casinos that make it easy to find and filter high RTP games. Sites like DraftKings and BetMGM highlight payout percentages and offer exclusive games with well-above-average RTPs, while others may bury that info in submenus or omit it entirely. Always check the in-game paytable or help menu for the actual RTP of the slot game you are playing. While RTP is crucial, volatility (or variance) determines the style of play. Sites might be more attractive if they offer: The best strategy isn't always the highest RTP. Some pros use low-volatility, high-RTP slots to clear bonuses efficiently, then switch to high-volatility games for a jackpot shot with the house's money. This guide checked for seamless gameplay, fast loading times and whether the casino app replicates the full desktop experience. Sites like FanDuel and Caesars casino scored highest for mobile slot play, especially useful for casual sessions or clearing bonuses on the go. Certain slots work well for specific types of players, including options at real money online casinos. For example, there are slots that you can play from just 5 cents to 10 cents per spin, while others are great for high rollers, with large maximum bet amounts per spin. Check out the maximum potential win, too, as that can have a bearing on the general appeal of an online slot. That applies to standard video slots, as progressive jackpot slots do not have a fixed maximum win amount. USA TODAY only recommends legitimate online slots from licensed providers such as NetEnt, IGT, Scientific Games, Big Time Gaming and Red Tiger. These games are routinely tested by independent examiners at labs certified by regulators such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. We will never recommend high RTP slots at unlicensed casinos, as those sites could scam customers, and you are never guaranteed a payout if you win. Along with that, PayPal casinos function to protect customers similarly. What is the best strategy for playing high RTP slots? Where to Play high RTP slots These are the top high RTP slot casino sites for players seeking the highest RTP slot machines: BetMGM is now America's most popular online casino brand. It offers a wide range of high RTP slots, including Blood Suckers, Starmania and White Rabbit, along with an exclusive progressive jackpot network featuring seven-figure prizes. The BetMGM casino bonus code earns new players a 100% deposit match bonus, plus $25 on the house. Caesars Palace online casino is another excellent choice for anyone seeking the best RTP slot machines. It has high upper betting limits for VIP players, along with a great loyalty program. The Caesars casino promo code yields a deposit match casino bonus up to $2,500. FanDuel offers customers a user-friendly online casino with a series of the best RTP slots online. Its range includes Blood Suckers, Guns N' Roses, Blood Suckers 2, Dead or Alive and Butterfly Staxx, plus various high RTP table games and a superb live dealer section. The FanDuel casino promo code offer earns users $40 in casino credit and 500 bonus spins just for depositing $10 or more, and it comes with a 1x wagering requirement. The world's largest online gambling brand operates a stylish online casino in New Jersey, offering large bonuses, rapid payouts and polished software. The bet365 casino promo code earns new users a welcome bonus of 10 days of bonus spins, up to a total of 500, and there is a very generous sports betting sign-up bonus on offer, too. DraftKings is another elite online casino with a huge portfolio of slots and table games, including dozens of exclusives. The high RTP games at DraftKings casino include White Rabbit Megaways, Medusa Megaways, Guns N' Roses, Blood Suckers 2, Jimi Hendrix and Butterfly Staxx. The DraftKings casino promo code provides up to $1,000 in bonus credits and 350 bonus spins, and there are VIP welcome bonus options, too. Fanatics casino is now available both as a mobile app and a web app, and is a promising new casino. It offers up to $1,000 back in site credit for net losses over the first 10 days on the site when registered via the Fanatics casino promo code. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you can choose from an alternative offer: 1,000 spins on the slot Huff N' More Puff if you wager $30 or more within your first seven days as an account holder. It is lacking when it comes to these high RTP games, featuring only Starmania, but it has plenty of other slots to try. How to stay in control while playing online slots While there are so-called professional gamblers who make a living wagering, for the vast majority of people who play online slots, it's more about entertainment and hoping to make a profit. That is why it is essential to gamble responsibly, risking only what you can afford to lose, and using the tools provided by slots sites to help keep yourself in check. Help is available from trusted resources, including Gamblers Anonymous, 1-800-GAMBLER, GambleAware and Gambling Therapy. Best RTP slots FAQs The online slots with the highest RTP rates at licensed casinos in the United States include Blood Suckers, Starmania, White Rabbit, Guns N' Roses, Dead or Alive and Butterfly Staxx. BetMGM and FanDuel have a variety of appealing video slots with high RTP rates. These are often some of the best online casino slots to play when completing rollover requirements on bonus funds at the best slots app operators or websites. RTP is an abbreviation of Return to Player. It tells you the theoretical payout rate available on online slot games. If the slot has an RTP rate of 96.2%, you would expect on average a return of $96.20 for every $100 wagered. It is totally random, so some players win and others lose, but the RTP rate is a very useful indicator of your chances of earning a profit. There are other factors to consider beyond the best slots RTP, including the volatility level, the maximum win amount and any progressive jackpots. The average RTP rate for an online slot is around 96%. That means the average player would theoretically get $9.60 back for every $10 wagered. All results are random, so certain players will win and others will lose, but the RTP gives you an idea of your chances of success. You can improve your chances by seeking out the casino slot machines with the highest RTP percentages. Our best online slots payout percentage guide can help. The best slot with the highest RTP is Blood Suckers, which checks in at 98%. There are plenty of great options when it comes to high RTP slots, and you can find one that fits your preferred slot theme. Check out our guide for the best RTP slots to learn more. The slots with the best RTP rates at licensed U.S. online casinos are: Blood Suckers (98%), Starmania (97.87%), White Rabbit (97.72%), Medusa Megaways (97.63%), Guns N' Roses (96.98%), Blood Suckers 2 (96.94%), Jimi Hendrix (96.9%), Butterfly Staxx (96.8%), Dead or Alive (96.82%) and Fruit Shop (96.7%). Those slots are available at several legal online casinos, but you may also find some additional games when searching for the best RTP casino slots. The highest RTP online slots offer the best payout rates. They include Blood Suckers, Starmania, White Rabbit and Medusa Megaways. If you want to find the online slots with the highest RTP percentages, the information should be readily available alongside each online slot game at the best casino sites and mobile apps. The top online casinos should make it easy for you to find the highest RTP slots. Some offer tools that allow you to display the games in descending order, with the highest RTP slot machines at the top of the grid. However, most sites do not offer that feature. Instead, you will need to manually check for the highest RTP casino slot machines by delving into each game and looking at the paytable. The highest RTP slot games do not guarantee a profit, but they do increase your theoretical chances of ending up in profit. Online slots at licensed casino sites deliver random results, so there is no way to guarantee success. However, playing the best RTP online slots will boost your chances of earning a profit. You can also consider variables like the volatility rate and any progressive jackpots when considering which of the best slots with the highest RTP rates to play. The safest high RTP slots for beginners are the ones with the lowest volatility, such as Blood Suckers, Blood Suckers 2 and Starmania. The wins will be smaller but more frequent, giving a new player the chance to better understand gameplay and also satisfy their welcome bonus wagering requirements. High RTP slots are not rigged, as games are routinely audited by regulators to ensure they pay out at the RTP they claim. That is why it is important to stick with licensed U.S. casinos and not offshore sites. If you are playing at legal online casinos in the United States, yes. Click the 'PLAY NOW' button next to any online casino featured on this page, and you will then automatically qualify for the best casino welcome offer when you arrive at the site.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Patsy Gallant wraps tour celebrating 70 years in Moncton: ‘there is just no place like it'
The Queen of Disco Patsy Gallant returns home to New Brunswick for a special show at the Capital Theatre. If you ask Patsy Gallant when it all started, she would tell you she was three-years old but she didn't start counting her 70 years in show business until she turned six. 'I'm just so privileged to still be singing, having my voice and my health and the energy to do that because I do two hour shows and I stay with the people after,' said Gallant. The New Brunswick native started her career alongside her sisters before going solo. She appeared on multiple television shows before getting her own – The Patsy Gallant Show, which aired on CTV in the late 70's. Gallant also starred in musicals, including an eight-year tenure on stage in Paris, France in the French rock opera, 'Starmania' during the 1990's. More recently, Gallant published her biography in French and produced her own album. 'I always try to learn new things and better myself,' she said. 'Nobody knew I was a writer. I've been writing for 40 years. The album that I wrote is called To Exist and Be Heard and there's a reason behind that, I wanted to prove that I was something else other than just Sugar Daddy and a Disco Queen because I've done it all.' For the first time in close to 30 years, Gallant is stepping back on stage Friday night at Moncton's Capitol Theatre as part of a tour celebrating her 70-year career. 'She's an incredibly important artist, originating from the region… and she's had an incredible international career really,' said Capitol Theatre's managing director, Kim Rayworth. 'I think she keeps renewing herself. […] I think people will see some new material for sure, but I know she'll bring the greatest hits and the crowd and fan favourites.' Gallant said the show caters to the Moncton crowd with a performance in both French and English and she's excited to perform for her family. 'They all bought their tickets and I said 'I could have given you tickets,' but they all bought their tickets. They're so sweet,' she said. Gallant said she'll spend Saturday catching up with her family and rediscovering what Moncton has to offer, including the smell of the ocean, fiddleheads and lobster. 'There is just no place like it. There is no place like it and then when I hear that accent, you can imagine, it brings me back to my childhood.' This is one of the last shows of the current season for the Capitol Theatre. Rayworth said next week they will announce about 50 artists for next year. Tickets to see Patsy Gallant in Moncton can still be purchased online or at the door. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Malaysian Reserve
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
AUSTRIAN TALENT JJ WINS EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2025 IN BASEL
Warner Music Celebrates the Victory of Its Austrian Artist BASEL, Switzerland, May 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Warner Music proudly congratulates its Austrian artist JJ for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland with his powerful single 'Wasted Love'. The breakup-inspired pop-opera track, featuring explosive techno beats, captivated international audiences, propelling JJ to victory in front of more than 160 million viewers on Saturday evening. Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes, Co-Presidents of Warner Music Central Europe, commented: 'JJ's incredible talent, combined with his innovative sound, has truly resonated with audiences across Europe and beyond, attracting new fans with every performance. Eurovision is the world's most-watched music television show, and we are thrilled to see him shine on such a global stage. We are proud to be part of JJ's journey.' Born in Vienna and raised in Dubai, the 24-year-old JJ returned to Austria in 2016. Known for his soprano-range voice, JJ has performed at the Vienna State Opera and gained national attention through his appearance on Austria's casting show Starmania. With this landmark win, JJ now joins the ranks of Eurovision legends, marking a new chapter in his promising career. Access accompanying photos here Media ContactOllie View original content:
