Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is an Egyptian-themed video slot from Novomatic, later brought online by Greentube, the company’s digital arm. It first appeared in 2005 and became one of the best-known classic slots in German-speaking markets.
The game follows a simple treasure-hunt theme, with an explorer, ancient symbols and the expanding book feature that made the series famous. Its look and sound are dated by modern standards, but it still matters because it helped define the wider “Book” style of slot games.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release year | 2005 |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Volatility | High |
| RTP | Usually around 92.13% to 95.10%, depending on the operator version |
| Max win | Up to 5,000x stake |
How the game works
Book of Ra is played on five reels and three rows, with up to nine adjustable paylines. Before each spin, you choose how many lines to play and the bet for each line. Your total stake is the bet per line multiplied by the number of active lines.
Wins are paid when matching symbols land from left to right on an active payline, starting on the first reel. After a base game win, you can either collect the payout or use the gamble feature to try to double it by guessing the colour of a hidden playing card.
Symbols and bonus features
The Book symbol is the key symbol in Book of Ra. It works as both a wild, replacing regular symbols to help complete wins, and a scatter, triggering the bonus round.
- Higher-paying symbols: Explorer, Pharaoh, Golden Statue and Scarab.
- Lower-paying symbols: Card symbols 10, J, Q, K and A.
The Free Spins Feature
Three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels usually award 10 free spins. At the start of the feature, one regular symbol is chosen at random as the expanding symbol.
During the bonus, that symbol can expand to fill a reel when it creates a win. Expanded symbols can then pay across all selected paylines. The number of free spins and retrigger rules can vary slightly depending on the Book of Ra version at your casino.
RTP, volatility, and win potential
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot with a top win of up to 5,000x your stake.
In practice, that means results can be uneven. You may see long dry spells or small returns, with the bigger wins usually coming during the free spins feature, especially if a high-value expanding symbol appears.
The RTP varies by version and by operator.
- Book of Ra Deluxe: around 95.10%
- Book of Ra Classic: around 92.13%
For Germany players, the RTP shown at licensed casinos may be lower in some cases because of local tax and regulatory factors. It’s best to check the paytable or game info at the casino before you play.
How to play legally in Germany
If you want to play Book of Ra for real money in Germany, use an online casino with a valid licence from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Under the State Treaty on Gambling, that is the legal route for German players.
Before signing up, check the official GGL whitelist and then confirm that the casino actually offers the Book of Ra title you want. Availability depends on the operator, so even licensed sites may only carry some versions.
On licensed German sites, play is subject to standard regulatory limits:
- Maximum stake of €1 per spin
- Minimum five-second delay between spins
- Deposit monitoring through the LUGAS system
The examples below were listed in the draft, but game libraries can change, so always verify the current lobby yourself.
| Casino | Book of Ra versions mentioned | GGL licensed |
|---|---|---|
| Tipico | Classic, Deluxe | Yes |
| bwin | Deluxe, Magic | Yes |
| Betano | Deluxe | Yes |
Free demo and mobile play
You can try Book of Ra in free demo mode at many licensed casinos before playing for real money.
Practice mode
The demo usually uses the same game rules and pay setup as the real-money version, but with a virtual balance. It’s a simple way to get used to the bet levels and the game’s volatility without risking money.
Mobile performance
Book of Ra is available in an HTML5 version for iOS and Android. The layout adjusts automatically to smaller screens, with controls placed for touchscreen use. The reels and core gameplay stay the same as on desktop, and the game generally runs well in both portrait and landscape mode.
Pros and cons
Book of Ra is a simple, high-volatility slot that still appeals to players who prefer familiar gameplay over modern presentation. Its main strength is the classic expanding symbol feature, but it can also feel dated and quite dry between wins.
Advantages
- Easy-to-follow mechanics with no complicated features.
- The expanding symbol bonus gives the game a clear identity and straightforward win potential.
- Classic land-based casino feel that many players still recognise.
Limitations
- Graphics and sound are dated by current online slot standards.
- Wins can be infrequent, especially in the base game.
- RTP is often lower than on many newer online slots.
- In Germany, the €1 maximum stake limit reduces the higher-stake style the game was originally known for.
Other Novomatic games to try
If you enjoy Book of Ra, Novomatic has several similar slots worth a look. Most keep the same high-volatility feel and simple feature set, with small changes to the bonus or theme.
- Book of Ra Deluxe: The closest alternative. It keeps the familiar expanding symbol free spins, adds a tenth payline, and updates the presentation.
- Lord of the Ocean: Very similar in how it plays, but with an underwater mythology theme instead of Ancient Egypt.
- Lucky Lady's Charm Deluxe: Another well-known Novomatic slot. Its main difference is that free spin wins are multiplied by 3 rather than using an expanding symbol.
- Sizzling Hot Deluxe: A simpler fruit slot with five paylines and no free spins. It suits players who prefer straightforward base game play.