Book Of Ra
Unveiling Book of Ra
Book of Ra, developed by Novomatic and brought online by Greentube, holds a special place in the UK’s gaming scene. Since 2005, when it first appeared on slot machines, and later with its 2008 online release, this Egyptian-themed slot has become a favourite for many players. Its adventurous setting and straightforward gameplay keep it popular both in amusement arcades and on digital platforms.
| Main Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Reels / Rows | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 9 fixed |
| RTP (Classic version) | Approx. 92.13% |
| Volatility | High |
| Key Bonus | 10 free spins with a randomly selected expanding symbol |
| Wild & Scatter | Book symbol substitutes and triggers bonus with 3 or more |
| Max Win | Up to 5,000× stake per spin |
| Stake Range* | £0.09 – £39 (may vary by casino) |
Theme and atmosphere
When we play Book of Ra, we step into ancient tombs adorned with scarabs, golden masks, and the daring Explorer. The sepia tones, flickering torches, and rhythmic drumming create an adventurous mood. The Book icon, central to the game, animates with turning pages and adds excitement each time it appears on the reels.
Why it resonates in the UK
For many of us, Book of Ra started in local amusement arcades on well-known slot machines. The online version retained the familiar 9-line layout, making the move to digital seamless. Its simple controls, nostalgic sound effects, and accessible bet limits continue to appeal to players of all ages—whether we’re returning fans or discovering it for the first time.
What to expect
Book of Ra delivers fast-paced rounds. Wins pay from left to right, and the Book acts as both Wild and Scatter. Landing three or more Books triggers 10 free spins, with a random symbol that can expand to fill reels and offer big win potential. Thanks to HTML5, we enjoy smooth spins on any device, whether at home or on the go.
Your Journey into the Pyramids
Getting started
We begin our adventure by choosing the number of paylines. In the original Book of Ra, there are up to 9 options, while Book of Ra Deluxe adds a tenth. Next, we select our line stake, usually between £0.01 and £5.00 at most casinos serving the UK. The game always displays our total bet and remaining balance, so we can keep track as we play. By pressing Spin, we trigger one round, or we can select Auto for continuous spins. If we enter a bonus feature or the Gamble round, the reels stop automatically.
How wins are formed
Book of Ra features a 5-reel, 3-row layout. Wins occur when three or more matching symbols line up from left to right on an active payline. Some symbols offer higher payouts:
- Explorer – 5,000× our line bet for five in a row
- Sarcophagus – 2,000× our line bet for five
- Statue of Ra – 750× our line bet for five
- Scarab – 750× our line bet for five
- Book symbol – acts as both Wild and Scatter, substituting for any symbol and paying 2×, 20×, or 200× our total bet when 3, 4, or 5 land anywhere
The signature bonus
When we land three or more Book symbols, we receive 10 free games. Before these spins, a random regular symbol becomes our special expander. During the bonus, if enough of this symbol appears, it expands to fill its reels and pays out even if the symbols are not next to each other. Landing three or more Books again awards 10 additional free spins, with the same expanding symbol remaining in play. On the Deluxe version, if the Explorer expands on all reels, wins of up to 50,000× our stake are possible in a single bonus spin.
Optional risk feature
After any win, the Gamble button may appear. Here, we try to guess the colour of a hidden card. A correct guess doubles our prize, but an incorrect guess means losing that round’s winnings. We can choose to gamble up to five times in succession, giving us the opportunity to build bigger rewards or just risk part of our balance.
Exploring the Ra Legacy
Book of Ra has made a significant impact on the slot scene since it first appeared in casino halls back in 2005. Over the years, the game has evolved, but two features have always remained: the Book symbol, which acts as both the wild and scatter, and the bonus round of 10 free spins with at least one randomly chosen expanding symbol. Novomatic has managed to retain the essence of the original in every new release, which is one reason why Book of Ra remains so popular with players across the UK.
Classic and Deluxe Editions
The first version features a familiar 5×3 grid, 9 paylines, and a 95.10% RTP. During free spins, just one symbol expands to cover the reels, setting the scene for substantial wins. Book of Ra Deluxe, released in 2008, refreshed the visuals and gameplay. This edition boasts improved graphics, a slight increase in RTP at 95.03%, and a 10th payline. These tweaks ensure smoother online play, but the high volatility—a favourite among seasoned players—remains unchanged.
Expanded Reels and New Layouts
- Book of Ra Deluxe 6 (2015) introduces an optional sixth reel, which you can unlock with the “Extra Bet” feature. This addition increases the maximum possible win to 12,500x your stake, and all 10 paylines now run across six reels, ramping up the excitement.
- Book of Ra Deluxe 10 (2019) presents a new format with two synchronised reel sets: a 5×4 grid on the left and a huge 5×12 grid on the right, together offering 100 fixed lines. Wilds on the left side copy over to the same positions on the right, and expanding symbols during free spins cover both reels for even bigger wins.
Sequels with New Features
Novomatic has also added fresh twists to the series:
- Book of Ra Magic allows players to add more expanding symbols during the bonus, up to a total of nine, with each retrigger of the feature.
- Book of Ra – Two Symbols always selects two expanding symbols for every bonus round, which can lead to larger wins but also comes with higher variance.
- Book of Ra Mystic Fortunes adds the chance to trigger a progressive jackpot with four levels—Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand—through random Gold Coin picks during play.
- Book of Ra – Temple of Gold features the Adventuress symbol and a slightly altered paytable, but keeps the 10 paylines and the core free spins feature.
Whichever version you play, the thrill of filling the screen with expanding symbols keeps us coming back to Book of Ra and its many sequels.
Understanding Your Odds
What RTP Means for Us
Return to Player, or RTP, tells us how much a slot is expected to pay back over many spins. With Book of Ra, the actual percentage can change depending on the version and what the casino sets. Novomatic typically offers three certified RTP settings: 92.13%, 94.26%, and 95.03%. The choice of which one to use is down to each casino. When we see the original 9-line Classic, it tends to run at the lowest RTP, while most online Deluxe versions use the higher 95.03% setting. We always check the pay-table or game information for the RTP shown to UK players before we start playing.
Volatility and Playing Experience
Book of Ra slots are well known for their high volatility. Wins can arrive in bursts, and most of the big payouts are found in the free spin feature with expanding symbols. This means we can have stretches where not much happens, followed by sudden, thrilling wins.
- Classic & Deluxe: The base game pays regularly, but it’s in the 10 free spins with one expanding symbol that we see real potential.
- Magic: During the bonus, up to nine different expanding symbols can land, offering bigger prizes but also longer dry spells.
- Deluxe 6: A sixth reel is available for an extra cost, letting us chase top prizes up to eight times larger, along with bigger swings.
| Title | Volatility | Typical RTP in UK | Session Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | Medium-high | 92.13% – 94.26% | Smaller wins come more often, bonuses are leaner |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | High | 94.26% – 95.03% | Good balance, up to 5,000× stake possible |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | Very high | 95.03% | Optional sixth reel, up to 10,000× stake win |
| Book of Ra Magic | High to very high | 95.03% | Multiple expanding symbols, bigger swings |
We usually match our bankroll to the volatility level—shorter, safer sessions on Classic, or a bigger budget when we aim for Deluxe 6 and Magic. When the legendary free spin round appears, that’s where most of the excitement and big wins come into play.
Finding Your Pharaoh's Fortune
Playing Book of Ra Legally in the UK
We can enjoy Book of Ra for real money in the UK only at online casinos licensed by the Gambling Commission and regulated under UK law. These casinos must connect to the GAMSTOP self-exclusion register, verify our identity before any deposit, and follow strict game rules. Each spin must last at least five seconds, auto-play is not allowed, and the maximum stake per spin is £1. Our deposits are usually capped at £1,000 per month by default.
Trusted Casino Choices
Among licensed platforms, we find Book of Ra sourced directly from Greentube/Novomatic. The most common versions include Book of Ra Classic, Deluxe, Deluxe 6, Magic, and Mystic Fortunes. Below is a quick overview of reliable options:
| Casino | Licence No. | Book of Ra Versions | Welcome Bonus* | Popular Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StarGames.co.uk | UKGC-000-00004 | Classic, Deluxe, Deluxe 10 | 100% up to £100 + 30 FS | PayPal, Trustly, Visa |
| NOVOLINE.co.uk | UKGC-000-00005 | Classic, Deluxe 6, Mystic Fortunes | 100% up to £100 + 50 FS | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal |
*Bonus offers may change. UK bonus terms always apply: we must be 18 or older, verify our account, keep to the £1 spin limit, and observe the five-second rule during wagering.
How We Check for Safety
- We confirm each casino is on the official UKGC whitelist.
- We look for up-to-date GAMSTOP integration.
- We review RTP certifications to ensure Greentube games are genuine.
- We test deposits and withdrawals after completing identity checks.
What to Know Before Signing Up
We always look for the UKGC seal in the site’s footer, complete verification straight away, and set a personal monthly limit (up to £1,000). Reality checks help us keep track of our playing time. If Book of Ra is ever unavailable due to technical audits, we update our recommendations with games like Eye of Horus or Ramses Book that follow the same UK standards.
Practice or Pursue Riches?
Why We Start with Demo Play
We use the demo version of Book of Ra to get to know every feature without putting our balance at risk. This free mode mirrors the real-money game, including the 95.03% RTP and the high volatility of the Deluxe edition. Spin patterns and win potential remain identical to the full version, so what we experience in demo is a true reflection of real outcomes. We test all 10 paylines, adjust our bets from £0.10 up to £50 per spin, and see how the Book symbol works as both Wild and Scatter.
Landing three Book symbols anywhere triggers 10 free spins, and during these, one symbol is randomly chosen to expand. Demo play lets us see how this feature operates, how frequently it appears, and how large the wins can be with a full screen of expanding symbols. As UK law requires age and ID verification, some sites only unlock demo play after registration. Nevertheless, there’s no financial risk in the trial version. Results in demo mode won’t predict real payouts, but this method helps us practise bet sizing and understand just how volatile the game can be.
Switching to Real Money Play
When we’re ready to play for real money, we stick to the strategies we developed in demo mode. To protect our budget, we follow a few key steps:
- Decide on a session budget we’re prepared to lose and set a clear win target, such as aiming for a payout 50 times our stake.
- Begin at the same bet level we used in demo, only increasing after reaching a profit target.
- Utilise casino tools such as session reminders, loss limits, and automatic log-outs to keep control.
- Check bonus terms. Many UK casino offers count Book of Ra towards wagering, but often set a £5 maximum bet.
- End our session after 10–15 minutes of play or sooner if we reach our loss limit.
Short, focused sessions help us avoid overspending and allow us to enjoy the bonus round we practised. With Book of Ra’s high volatility, dry spells are part of the experience, so we keep our expectations realistic and always play with limits in mind.
Beyond the Book's Pages
We understand the excitement that Book of Ra brings, but sometimes we're after something familiar with a fresh twist. The realm of Egyptian-themed slots and expanding-symbol bonuses provides excellent alternatives, each presenting its own adventure. These games retain the atmosphere and features we love, while introducing unique elements that make them stand out.
| Title | Provider | RTP % | Volatility | Max Win | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye of Horus | Blueprint Gaming | 96.31 | Medium-High | 10,000x | Symbol upgrade free spins |
| Ramses Book | Gamomat | 96.15 | High | 5,000x | Book scatters & expanding symbol |
| Legacy of Egypt | Play’n GO | 96.50 | High | 5,000x | Wheel-of-Gods free spins & multipliers |
| Book of Dead | Play’n GO | 96.21 | High | 5,000x | Expanding symbol bonus |
| John Hunter & the Book of Tut | Pragmatic Play | 96.50 | High | 7,500x | Turbo spins & book bonus |
| Book of Darkness | Betsoft | 96.48 | Medium | 6,400x | Hero-vs-Villain battle free spins |
Egyptian Classics
- Eye of Horus by Blueprint Gaming is a hit in the UK for its symbol upgrades during free spins, making wins more frequent as the round goes on.
- Ramses Book by Gamomat sticks closely to the book slot formula, with 10 free spins and a special expanding symbol, all presented with crisp visuals and a smooth pace.
- Legacy of Egypt by Play’n GO stands out for its detailed graphics and the Wheel of the Gods, where you can land generous free spins and multipliers.
Book-Style Alternatives
- Book of Dead by Play’n GO sets the benchmark for this genre, offering 10 free spins with one expanding symbol on every bonus round.
- Legacy of Dead by Play’n GO adds extra excitement, with every retrigger introducing another expanding symbol, which can eventually cover all paytable icons.
- Book of Gold: Classic by Playson is built for fast-paced play, featuring a five-line layout, 95.94% RTP, and payouts up to 5,000 times your stake.
Fresh Takes
- John Hunter and the Book of Tut by Pragmatic Play brings rapid spins, sharp graphics, and the familiar 10-spin book bonus we enjoy.
- Cat Wilde and the Doom of Dead by Play’n GO introduces full-reel wilds in both the main game and free spins, along with the expanding symbol feature.
- Book of Darkness by Betsoft offers a fantasy twist, letting you pick a side for a battle that triggers 10 to 20 battle spins and wild reels in Shadowform mode.
We find these games capture the essence of Book of Ra while offering new adventures across Egypt and beyond.