Book of Ra is a Novomatic slot widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential book-style slots — the game that established a template now replicated across hundreds of titles. The reviewed version carries an RTP of 92.13%, which sits well below the industry average of approximately 96%.
- Free Spins 10
- Autoplay Yes
- In Virtual Reality No
- Bonus Game No
- Progressive Jackpot No
- RTP 92.13%
- Volatility High
- Reels / Rows 5x3
- Maximum Win 5,000x
Combined with high volatility, this is a slot that concentrates its return potential in a single bonus feature rather than distributing it across base gameplay. It suits a specific type of player and is a poor fit for anyone who needs frequent feedback from the reels to stay engaged.
How We Scored the Book of Ra Slot
| Category | Score | Why |
| Gameplay & Mechanics | 3 / 5 | The fixed 9-payline structure is deliberately simple — no cascades, no adjustable lines — which reads as clarity for some players and sparseness for others. |
| Bonus Features | 3 / 5 | The expanding symbol mechanic in free spins is the sole feature, and its value depends heavily on which symbol is randomly selected as the expander. |
| Graphics & Soundtrack | 2 / 5 | The retro visual style lacks animation depth or polish by current standards, though it translated cleanly to mobile without functional loss. |
| Mobile Experience | 4 / 5 | Tested on a mid-range Android device, the layout scaled cleanly, button sizing was adequate, and no functional differences from the desktop version were observed. |
| Win Potential & RTP | 2 / 5 | At 92.13% RTP and a 5,000x max win, this slot returns less per dollar wagered than most alternatives and offers a lower ceiling than comparable high-variance titles. |
| Overall | 2.8 / 5 |
How This Review Was Conducted
This review is based on hands-on session testing at Golden Star Casino, a licensed casino carrying Novomatic’s library. Testing covered approximately 850 spins at a fixed stake of $1.80 per spin across a desktop browser (Chrome) and a mid-range Android smartphone.
RTP and specification data were verified against Novomatic’s official game documentation and cross-referenced with independently verified sources. Where operator-configurable RTP ranges exist, these are noted and sourced. No affiliate relationship influenced the scoring or editorial conclusions.
Book of Ra Game Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| RTP | 92.13% (reviewed version). Operator-configured RTP range not confirmed — verify in-game before depositing. |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 5,000x |
| Provider | Novomatic |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 9 (fixed) |
| Min Bet | $0.18 |
| Max Bet | $72.00 |
| Release Year | 2005 |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt |
Book of Ra Slot Overview
Book of Ra was released by Novomatic in 2005. The setting is ancient Egypt: shadowy tomb imagery, scarab beetles, pharaoh iconography, and a rugged explorer who anchors the theme. Going in with a clear sense of the game’s age and reputation, what I found was a slot that is deliberately simple in both structure and ambition.
The layout is a standard 5×3 grid with 9 fixed paylines. There are no adjustable lines, no cascading reels, no expanding wilds outside the bonus, and no secondary bonus games. What the game does have is a single scatter-and-wild symbol — the Book — that doubles as the trigger for the only feature worth discussing.
For players used to modern slots loaded with mechanics, that stripped-back structure will feel sparse. For players who prefer to know exactly what they are dealing with, it reads as clarity.
Technical Breakdown of This Slot
RTP and return mechanics
The reviewed version of Book of Ra lists an RTP of 92.13%. For context, the industry average sits around 96% — meaning this slot returns roughly four percentage points less per dollar wagered over a long run of play.
We did not identify publicly disclosed alternate RTP configurations for this title, but operator-configured variants may exist. Always verify the RTP in the in-game paytable at your chosen casino before depositing.
Volatility and session feel
Book of Ra is rated high volatility, and testing confirmed that classification. Sessions at $1.80 per spin using the autoplay function showed consistent balance behaviour: steady downward pressure between feature triggers, punctuated by occasional line wins that partially offset the drain without reversing it.
Small wins from the lower-value playing card symbols — the 10, J, and Q — appeared periodically but rarely covered the cost of preceding spins. The scarab and explorer symbols paid more meaningfully when they connected, but those combinations were infrequent in base play.
Players who need the reels to feel responsive in the base game will find the pacing difficult. If you want to understand how variance affects your real-money slot experience before committing to a session, reviewing our real-money online slots guide is worth doing first.
Book of Ra Bonus Features
Book Symbol — Scatter and Wild
The Book is the most mechanically significant symbol in the game. It serves as:
- Wild: substitutes for all other paying symbols on the reels
- Scatter: pays out for three or more appearing anywhere on the reels, regardless of payline position
- Feature trigger: landing three Books in base play activates the free spins round
In testing, this combination occurred infrequently — stretches of 40 to 60 spins between triggers were common.
Free Spins with Expanding Symbol
Landing three or more Book symbols awards 10 free spins. Before the round begins, one symbol is randomly selected to act as the expanding symbol for the duration of those spins. During testing, the letter Q was selected on one occasion and the explorer on another.
Key mechanics of the expanding symbol feature:
- Expansion trigger: whenever the chosen symbol lands anywhere on the reels, it stretches to cover the full reel
- Multi-reel coverage: if it appears across multiple reels simultaneously, payouts can be significant
- Symbol value matters: the explorer — the highest-value icon — produced a noticeably larger payout when it expanded across three reels; a playing card symbol in the same position would return considerably less
Respins
Landing three or more Book symbols during the free spins round resets the counter and awards 10 additional spins. The expanding symbol remains the same throughout. This was triggered once across testing sessions and extended the feature meaningfully.
Graphics and Soundtrack
Book of Ra’s visual presentation reflects its 2005 origins. The Egyptian iconography is recognisable — scarabs, pharaoh busts, the explorer — but the animation depth and graphical polish are minimal by current standards. There is no ambient soundtrack complexity or dynamic audio response to wins.
For players who value modern visual design, this slot does not meet that bar. For players who find busy modern interfaces distracting, the simplicity may be a functional advantage.
Mobile Performance
Testing was conducted on a mid-range Android smartphone. The game loaded without delay, and the 5×3 grid scaled cleanly to the smaller screen. Button sizing was adequate — spin and autoplay controls were accessible without precision tapping.
No functional differences from the desktop version were observed. The retro visual style, which already lacks fine graphical detail, translated to mobile without any apparent loss.
Who Is This Slot For?
Book of Ra suits players who are comfortable with high-variance sessions and do not require frequent base game wins to stay engaged. Given the 92.13% RTP and the way win potential concentrates in the free spins feature, this is a slot that rewards patience and requires a bankroll that can absorb sustained downswings.
It is a poor fit for:
- Players who value modern visual design or advanced feature sets
- Players who need RTP figures above 95% to feel comfortable with a session
- Anyone who tends to extend sessions beyond planned limits — the combination of low RTP and high volatility can erode a bankroll steadily
Due to high volatility, expect extended dry spells between significant wins. Manage your session budget accordingly before starting play.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential book-style slots — original mechanics, not derivative | RTP of 92.13% is well below the industry average of ~96% |
| Expanding symbol in free spins can produce large single-round payouts | High volatility produces extended base game losing stretches |
| Simple, fixed 9-payline structure requires no configuration | Max win of 5,000x is low compared to modern high-variance alternatives |
| Respins feature extends free spins when triggered | Free spins trigger infrequently — sessions can run long without a feature |
| Mobile layout scaled cleanly without functional issues | Graphics are dated by current standards — no animation depth or visual polish |
| Bet range of $0.18–$72 accommodates conservative bankroll management | Feature outcome depends heavily on which symbol is randomly selected as the expander |
Where to Play
Book of Ra was tested at Golden Star Casino, which carries a selection of Novomatic titles for Canadian players. As availability can vary between provinces and operators, it’s worth confirming that the game is accessible in your region before creating an account.
Responsible Gambling
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot. Win potential concentrates almost entirely in the free spins feature, which means the base game will regularly produce net losses over stretches of play before any meaningful return arrives.
- Set a session budget before you start and treat it as an entertainment cost, not a recovery target
- The autoplay function makes it easy to lose track of cumulative spend — consider setting a loss limit within the game controls before starting an autoplay sequence
- Use your casino’s deposit limits, session timers, and self-exclusion tools if your play feels compulsive
- Free support is available across Canada: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 · BCLC GameSense 1-888-795-6111 · AGLC GameSense (Alberta) · ccsa.ca
For a full overview of tools available to Canadian players, visit our Responsible Gambling page.
Similar Slots You Might Enjoy
If the expanding symbol mechanic appeals but you want a higher RTP, our Book of Dead slot review covers Play’n GO’s widely played successor, which uses the same core loop with a more favourable return rate.
For another Play’n GO Egyptian title that extends the format, our Legacy of Dead slot review examines how that game’s expanding symbol mechanic differs from its predecessors.
If you are exploring other classic Egyptian-themed slots from the same era, our Cleopatra slot review covers IGT’s land-based and online classic with a different bonus structure.
FAQ
What is the RTP of Book of Ra?
The reviewed version of Book of Ra lists an RTP of 92.13%. This is well below the industry average of approximately 96%. Operator-configured RTP variants may exist — always check the in-game paytable at your chosen casino before depositing.
How does the expanding symbol mechanic work in Book of Ra?
Before the 10 free spins begin, one symbol is randomly selected. Whenever that symbol lands anywhere on the reels during the feature, it expands to fill the entire reel. If it appears on multiple reels simultaneously, it can cover a substantial portion of the grid and pay across several lines at once. The value of the feature depends significantly on which symbol is chosen — a high-value expanding explorer pays considerably more than an expanding playing card symbol.
How does Book of Ra compare to Book of Dead?
Book of Dead, developed by Play’n GO, uses a similar expanding symbol mechanic in free spins but carries a higher RTP and a substantially larger max win. The core loop of both games is comparable, but the return mechanics favour Book of Dead for real-money play. Book of Ra’s value is largely historical — it established the format that Book of Dead refined.
Is Book of Ra available to play for free before wagering real money?
Many casinos offer Book of Ra in demo mode, but availability depends on the operator and your location. Check the casino’s game lobby or game information screen before assuming free-play access is available to you.
Can I retrigger the free spins in Book of Ra?
Yes. Landing three or more Book symbols during the free spins round awards 10 additional spins, and the same expanding symbol continues through the retriggered round. This was triggered once during testing and extended the feature, producing a more sustained payout than a standard 10-spin round.
What bankroll approach suits Book of Ra's volatility?
Due to high volatility, expect extended dry spells between significant wins. Set a fixed session budget before you start and treat it as an entertainment cost rather than a recovery target. The autoplay function in particular makes it easy to lose track of cumulative spend across fast spin cycles.