Book Of Ra
Book of Ra: The Legendary Slot from Novomatic
At a glance
We spotlight Book of Ra on the official Novomatic and Greentube channels, a timeless Egyptian adventure that began in Austrian studios and became a firm favourite across German Spielhallen before making its way online. On the official site, we can follow its journey from the 2005 land-based launch to its 2008 online release. The 5-reel, 3-row slot immerses us in a world of hieroglyphics, scarabs, and golden statues as we pursue classic wins with a modern tempo. Stakes typically range from £0.10 to £50 per spin, depending on the casino.
| Book of Ra – Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release Year | 2005 (land-based), 2008 (online) |
| Reels / Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Fixed Paylines | 9 (adjustable in some editions) |
| RTP | 95.03% online; 92.13% typical in arcades |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 5,000× stake in a single spin |
| Special Symbol | Book of Ra (Wild + Scatter) |
| Bonus Feature | 10 Free Games with Expanding Symbol |
| Bet Range | £0.10 – £50 per spin (casino-dependent) |
Why it endures
We appreciate its elegant design: nine adjustable paylines and a single Book symbol that acts as both substitute and key to 10 free games. In the bonus, a random expanding symbol can fill the reels. There’s no cut-scene or complex storyline—just rapid spins and crisp sounds with a nostalgic 1990s adventure feel. The top win lands at 5,000× when five explorer symbols align.
German players recognise the reliable maths and brisk pace. High volatility keeps both risk and reward sharp, while the 95.03% online RTP remains competitive under the latest German Glücksspielbehörde regulations. After nearly twenty years, its refined mechanics still outperform flashy graphics and keep us coming back for more.
Game Features and Symbols
The Book symbol
In the official Novomatic Book of Ra, the Book serves as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for any standard symbol and activates the bonus when three or more appear anywhere on the 5×3 grid. Landing 3, 4, or 5 Books pays out 2×, 20×, or 200× your total stake and also awards 10 free spins. This dual function keeps the base game lively and leads straight into the bonus round without the need for a separate trigger line.
Symbol paytable
| Symbol | 2 on a line | 3 on a line | 4 on a line | 5 on a line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | 10× | 100× | 1,000× | 5,000× |
| Pharaoh | 5× | 40× | 400× | 2,000× |
| Golden Idol / Scarab | 5× | 30× | 100× | 750× |
| A, K | – | 15× | 75× | 150× |
| Q, J, 10 | – | 10× | 40× | 100× |
| Book (scatter) | – | 2×* | 20×* | 200×* |
*Scatter wins are multiplied by the total bet, not the line bet.
Expanding symbols
At the beginning of the free spins, a regular symbol is randomly chosen to become a special expanding symbol. When enough of these land to create a natural win, they expand to cover their reels. Wins then pay across all 10 lines, even if the reels aren’t adjacent. This feature can boost the potential up to 5,000× your stake per spin and makes every big hit during the bonus round feel significant.
Free Spins and Bonus Rounds
On the official Novomatic Book of Ra available in the UK, the main feature is unlocked when three, four, or five Book symbols appear anywhere on the reels. This triggers 10 free games and an instant scatter win of 2×, 20×, or 200× your total stake. If additional Books land during the feature, you’ll receive a further 10 spins. There is no fixed limit on retriggers, so lengthy streaks are possible, though not guaranteed.
Expanding symbol
Before your first free spin, one regular symbol is chosen at random. Whenever at least two high value or three royal symbols of that type land, they expand to cover their reels and pay across all 10 lines, even if not adjacent. As the Book still acts as a wild, standard line wins can be combined with expanding symbol wins.
Payouts in the feature
Top symbol values for five of a kind remain as follows.
| Symbol | 5 of a kind |
|---|---|
| Explorer | 5,000× bet |
| Pharaoh | 2,000× bet |
| Statue or Scarab | 750× bet |
| A, K, Q, J, 10 | up to 150× bet |
Maximising bonus potential
Volatility is high, so it’s important to pace your play and set a budget.
- Have enough funds for 150–200 base spins to weather dry spells.
- Only increase your stake after a sizeable win; bet size affects payout amounts, not symbol selection or RTP (92.13% classic; 95.03% Deluxe).
- Avoid side strategies; results are entirely determined by the RNG.
Try Book of Ra Demo Mode
We recommend starting with the free Book of Ra demo on Novomatic’s official channels via the Greentube platform and partners such as StarGames. The demo is identical to the real money version, using the same maths model with a 92.13% RTP and a high volatility profile. All five reels and nine paylines are active, and the Book symbol serves as both wild and scatter, so bonus rounds and the expanding symbol feature operate just as they do for cash.
Why practise first
- Explore the full paytable and see how often premium symbols — Explorer, Pharaoh, Scarab — appear.
- Assess variance by tracking the Book scatter’s average hit rate at about 1 in 150 spins.
- Try stakes from £0.09 to £45 per spin without any financial risk.
- Test bankroll strategies, from 200 spin sessions to shorter sets.
- Play instantly in your browser with no download required.
Access in Germany
Under the 2021 Interstate Gambling Treaty, demo slots require age verification and a registered account on licensed sites. Once we’re verified, we receive virtual credits that automatically refresh when empty, allowing us to keep spinning until we decide to switch to real money play.
Playing Book of Ra for Real Money
To switch from demo to cash play, we join a licensed online casino with Novomatic titles, regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. During sign up we provide name, address, date of birth 18+, verify email, and complete KYC before the first withdrawal.
Getting started
- Open an account and, if we wish, opt in to a welcome bonus, often 100% up to £200 plus 50 free spins.
- Choose a payment method such as PayPal, Visa, Skrill, or bank transfer and deposit from £10.
- Launch Book of Ra, select a stake, and make sure the real money balance is displayed.
Stakes and settings
- Paylines can be set from 1 to 9 in the original or up to 10 in Deluxe.
- Coin value ranges from £0.01 to £1.00.
- Typical total bet is £0.10 to £100 per spin, with some casinos allowing up to £200.
- The standard RTP is 92.13% with high volatility, so wins may be less frequent but larger.
Safer play and withdrawals
We set a session budget. Licensed sites offer deposit, loss, and time limits plus a 24-hour cooling off period. Balances update instantly and winnings are returned to the original payment method once wagering or bonus terms are met.
How to Make Your First Deposit
To play Book of Ra for real money, we first top up our casino wallet at a UK-licensed site. The steps and options below help us move money quickly and keep it secure.
Popular UK payment options
| Method | Processing | Limits (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard | Instant | 10–5,000 |
| Bank Transfer/Faster Payments | Instant | 10–1,000 |
| Trustly | Minutes | 10–5,000 |
| MuchBetter, Skrill, Neteller | Instant | 10–5,000 |
| Paysafecard | Instant | 5–100 |
Since PayPal’s 2020 policy change, support is rare, so we choose an alternative.
Step by step
- Log in and go to the Cashier section.
- Select a payment method and enter your chosen amount. The minimum is £10 and the monthly cap is £1,000 in line with UK regulations.
- Confirm the payment using a security code or 3D Secure.
- Wait for the confirmation message, then launch Book of Ra.
Security and compliance
Licensed casinos use TLS 1.2 encryption and must verify your identity before or shortly after your first deposit. Cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers credit funds instantly. Standard bank transfers may take 1–2 business days. The UK Gambling Commission audits all operators, which safeguards your funds.
Book of Ra Variants and Versions
Since the first Book of Ra appeared in land-based casinos in 2005, Novomatic has developed a compact series of sequels. Each one retains free spins with expanding symbols, while the maths, visuals, and reel layouts are tweaked to keep the Egyptian adventure engaging.
Book of Ra Deluxe
- Reels and paylines: 5 reels, 10 paylines. The original had 9
- RTP: 95.03 %
- Upgrades: sharper 3-D symbols, broader £0.10–£50 stakes, same 5,000× top win
Book of Ra Magic
- Layout: 5 × 3, 10 paylines
- RTP: 95.03 %
- Feature: during free spins up to 9 symbols can become expanding, increasing hit frequency and potential up to 5,000× per line. The classic red or black Gamble remains and was not new
Other variations
- Book of Ra 6: optional sixth reel unlocked by a 50% side bet, increasing max payout to 7,500×; RTP 95.10 %
- Book of Ra Jackpot Edition: identical to Deluxe but linked to four mystery jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major, Grand – triggered via a pick-and-match bonus
- Book of Ra Deluxe 10: twin-reel setup 5 × 4 plus 5 × 12 with 100 paylines and symbol transfer between sets
All variants retain medium to high volatility, 10 free spins triggered by scatters, and an ancient Egypt soundtrack, allowing us to choose the maths model and extras that suit our budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Book of Ra?
We confirm Novomatic lists a 95.10% RTP for the online nine-payline Book of Ra. The original land-based cabinet is lower at 92.13%. Book of Ra Deluxe and Book of Ra Magic both show 95.03%, so the house edge remains consistent across versions.
Can I play Book of Ra on mobile?
Yes. The HTML5 version provided by Greentube, Novomatic’s online division, runs in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox on iOS and Android devices. All features—free spins, the expanding symbol, and the optional gamble game—are included, with swipe-to-spin and one-tap stake controls optimised for smaller screens.
What are the betting limits?
You’ll find stakes ranging from £0.10 to £50.00 per spin on the classic version, and up to £100.00 in Book of Ra Deluxe at most UK‑facing online casinos. Coin values can be set in £0.01 or £0.02 increments, suiting both casual players and high rollers.
How does the random number generator work?
The slot uses a GLI- and eCOGRA‑certified RNG based on the Mersenne Twister algorithm, generating billions of independent reel combinations. Each result is determined the moment you press Spin and isn’t influenced by previous outcomes or session length.
What is the maximum win?
A full screen of expanding explorer symbols during free spins pays 5,000× your line bet, which can total up to 45,000× your overall stake, with most jurisdictions capping a single-spin payout at £250,000.