Cleopatra Slot Review 2026 – All You Need to Know

As you might have guessed, this classic from IGT revolves around Cleopatra, the ancient Egyptian ruler with divine status and unmatched wealth. The storyline takes players on a treasure-seeking adventure to uncover all the mysteries hidden beneath the sands of Egypt.

Cleopatra runs on a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 20 paylines you can adjust downward if needed. The ancient Egyptian setting brings familiar symbols to the reels – scarabs, the Eye of Horus, lotus flowers, with Cleopatra herself paying out the most. The graphics certainly show their age, featuring basic 3D rendering that was quite standard in 2012 – but which lacks today’s slick animations. That said, many players (myself included) enjoy all things retro, so it didn’t bug me during my testing of the title.

Symbol payouts follow a predictable pattern: card values from 9 through Ace sit at the bottom of the pay scale, maxing out at 125x your line bet for five matching symbols. The premium Egyptian icons pay better, and some need just two symbols to trigger a win. When you land three or more Sphinx scatter symbols anywhere on screen, you’ll unlock the main bonus round.

The game mechanics stick to slot basics. You pick how many paylines to activate and set your bet per line, with the screen highlighting your choices visually. Standard plus and minus buttons control your wager, though you’ll need to click through several paytable screens to see all the payout details.

Graphics and design

This game’s strength lies in its simple, minimalist style, making it ideal for all skill levels. The game plays out on a 5×3 grid set against the backdrop of temple ruins. While the graphics may appear a bit dated by today’s standards, Cleopatra was way ahead of its time when it came out in 2012. IGT also did solid work with the sound effects, instantly capturing the authentic ancient Egyptian vibe.

Audiovisual information

• Theme: Ancient Egypt
• Layout: 5×3
• Software: IGT

RTP and volatility

The RTP when playing Cleopatra is 95.02%. Unfortunately, this falls short of the industry standard of 96%. It means you can win a maximum of $95.02 for every $100 you wager – over a theoretical period of time, of course. The good news is that this is only the long-term theoretical payback. Anything can happen from one spin to the next.

IGT makes up for the below-average RTP by giving this slot a medium volatility rating. This suggests that the payout is quite balanced. You won’t necessarily  have to wait for too long to strike a win, and the rewards can be substantial.

Playing Cleopatra is quick and straightforward: There are three taps in the top right corner of the screen. I started by clicking the paytable to discover how the paylines work and how each symbol pays out. So, it’s definitely important to read all the game information before playing.

Helpful tip:

Meanwhile, smaller wins are highlighted in blue and green lines with the number of coins you have won. This game also makes a grand announcement whenever you win bigger rewards. It’s a pretty addictive and entertaining game.

Bonuses and special features

When this slot came out in 2012, there were no special features like Bonus Buy, Cascading Reels, or Megaways. IGT kept this game simple and entertaining without stuffing it with unnecessary features. Here’s what you’ll find:

Cleopatra definitely works best for players who value simple mechanics over flashy graphics or complex features. If you’ve played slots in brick-and-mortar casinos, you’ll recognize the pacing and design philosophy – it feels more like a physical machine than an online-first game.

That $20 minimum for full payline coverage prices out casual players and anyone working with tight bankroll limits. Players comfortable with these stakes who want a no-frills slot experience might appreciate the straightforward approach.

Skip this one if you’re:

• Hunting for the best mathematical value (the RTP is low)
• Expecting modern graphics and smooth animations
• Looking for games packed with different bonus features
• Needing bets under $1 per line

The medium volatility requires a decent bankroll, but combine that with below-average RTP and high minimums, and your money may well run out faster than it might with cheaper, higher-RTP options.

While Cleopatra is, at its core, a simple and straightforward slot game, it has several features that demand careful play:

The adjustable paylines can tempt you to activate “just one more” line to catch potential wins, slowly pushing your total bet higher. Remember, each line costs at least $1, so these additions can definitely hurt your bankroll if you don’t keep an eye on it.

When free spins retrigger, creating long bonus sequences, it can very well feels like you’re on a hot streak. That 3x multiplier amplifies wins and the dangerous feeling that the game’s “about to pay big.” At the same time, the game itself lacks reality checks, session timers, or loss limits – which means you’re relying entirely on whatever responsible gambling tools the casino provides, not built-in safeguards.

As with any online casino game, it’s a good idea to set a firm budget before playing. With 95.02% RTP, the math favours the house more than most alternatives. For sustained play at $20 per spin, you’ll want at least $1,000 to $2,000 in your session bankroll (that’s 50-100 spins worth).

If Cleopatra transported you to the land of pyramids and pharaohs, don’t stop there; the Nile is full of more treasures waiting to be uncovered. Our online slot reviews team have gone and explored the ancient trails and found these recommendations:

• Book of Ra Deluxe
• Book of Dead
• Legacy of Egypt
• Arabian Nights