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 started in Austrian studios and grew into a favorite across German Spielhallen before moving online. On the official site we can trace its path from the 2005 land-based debut to the 2008 online release. The 5-reel, 3-row slot places us among hieroglyphics, scarabs, and golden statues as we chase classic wins with modern pacing. Stakes typically run 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 value its elegant setup: nine adjustable paylines and one Book symbol that substitutes and unlocks 10 free games. A random expanding symbol can cover reels in the bonus. There is no cut-scene or layered quest, just fast spins and crisp audio with a 1990s adventure vibe. The top hit lands at 5,000× when five explorer symbols align.
German players know the consistent math and brisk pace. High volatility keeps risk and reward sharp, while the 95.03 % online RTP remains competitive under the new German Glücksspielbehörde rules. After nearly two decades, tuned mechanics still beat flashy graphics and keep us coming back.
Game Features and Symbols
The Book symbol
In the official Novomatic Book of Ra, we rely on the Book as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for any regular symbol and it launches the bonus when three or more land anywhere on the 5×3 grid. Hitting 3, 4, or 5 Books pays 2×, 20×, or 200× the total stake and also grants 10 free spins. This dual role keeps the base game moving and sets up the bonus round without needing 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 start of free spins, we see one regular symbol chosen at random as a special expanding symbol. When enough of these land to create a natural win, they expand to fill their reels. Wins then pay across all 10 lines even if the reels are not adjacent. This setup can lift the potential up to 5,000× the stake per spin and makes single hits feel meaningful during the feature.
Free Spins and Bonus Rounds
On the official Novomatic Book of Ra available in Germany, we unlock the core feature when three, four, or five Book symbols land anywhere. This awards 10 free games and an instant scatter win of 2×, 20×, or 200× the total stake. If more Books arrive during the feature, we receive another 10 spins. There is no programmed cap on retriggers, so long streaks are possible but not guaranteed.
Expanding symbol
Before the first free spin, one regular symbol is selected at random. When at least two high value or three royal symbols of that type appear, they expand to cover their reels and pay on all 10 lines even when non adjacent. Because the Book still acts as wild, standard line wins can combine with expanding 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 |
Maximizing bonus potential
Volatility is high, so we pace our play and plan a budget.
- Bankroll for 150–200 base spins to ride out dry stretches.
- Adjust stakes only after a sizable win; bet size alters payout amounts, not symbol selection or RTP (92.13% classic; 95.03% Deluxe).
- Skip side strategies; outcomes are strictly RNG driven.
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 mirrors the real money build, using the same maths model with 92.13% RTP and a high volatility profile. All five reels and nine paylines are live, and the Book symbol acts as both wild and scatter, so bonus rounds and the expanding symbol feature behave exactly as they do for cash.
Why practice first
- Explore the full paytable and watch how often premium symbols — Explorer, Pharaoh, Scarab — appear.
- Gauge 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 financial risk.
- Test bankroll ideas, from 200 spin sessions to shorter sets.
- Play instantly in your browser with no download.
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 auto refresh when empty, letting us keep spinning until we choose 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 Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder in Germany. 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 want, opt in to a welcome bonus, often 100% up to €200 plus 50 free spins.
- Pick a payment method such as PayPal, Sofort, Giropay, Visa, or Skrill and deposit from €10.
- Launch Book of Ra, choose a stake, and check that the real money balance shows.
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. Balances update instantly and winnings return 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 fund our casino wallet at a German licensed site. The steps and options below help us move money fast and keep it secure.
Popular German payment options
| Method | Processing | Limits (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard | Instant | 10–5,000 |
| Klarna Sofort/Giropay | 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 pick an alternative.
Step by step
- Log in and open the Kasse area.
- Select a method and enter an amount. The minimum is 10 € and the monthly cap is 1,000 € under GlüStV 2021.
- Confirm the payment via TAN or 3 D Secure.
- Wait for the success message, then launch Book of Ra.
Security and compliance
Licensed casinos use TLS 1.2 encryption and must verify our ID before or shortly after the first deposit. Cards, e wallets, and Sofort credit funds instantly. SEPA transfers take 1–2 business days. The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder audits all operators, which safeguards our bankroll.
Book of Ra Variants and Versions
Since the first Book of Ra entered land-based casinos in 2005, Novomatic has grown a compact line of sequels. All keep free spins with expanding symbols, while maths, visuals, and reel layouts shift to keep the Egyptian adventure fresh.
Book of Ra Deluxe
- Reels and paylines: 5 reels, 10 paylines. The original had 9
- RTP: 95.03 %
- Upgrades: sharper 3-D symbols, wider €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, boosting 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, raising 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, so we can choose the maths model and extras that fit our bankroll
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Book of Ra?
We confirm Novomatic lists a 95.10% RTP for 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 stays the same across versions.
Can I play Book of Ra on mobile?
Yes. The HTML5 version supplied by Greentube, Novomatic’s online division, runs in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox on iOS and Android. All features—free spins, the expanding symbol, and the optional gamble game—remain, with swipe-to-spin and one-tap stake controls tuned for smaller screens.
What are the betting limits?
We see stakes from €0.10 to €50.00 per spin on the classic, and up to €100.00 in Book of Ra Deluxe in most German-facing online casinos. Coin values can be set in €0.01 or €0.02 steps, suiting casual players and high rollers.
How does the random number generator work?
We note slot uses a GLI- and eCOGRA‑certified RNG based on the Mersenne Twister algorithm, producing billions of independent reel combinations. Each result is set the moment you press Spin and is not influenced by previous outcomes or how long you play.
What is the maximum win?
We clarify a full screen of expanding explorer symbols during free spins pays 5,000× line bet, which can reach up to 45,000× total stake, with most jurisdictions capping a single-spin payout at €250,000.