Book Of Ra
What Is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is a Novomatic slot first released in 2005 and developed by its Greentube subsidiary. It uses an ancient Egypt theme, with an explorer searching for hidden treasure inside the pharaohs’ tombs.
It became one of the best-known slots in Europe and helped inspire the wider “Book of” style that many other games later followed. Its simple layout and bonus round are a big part of why it stayed popular for so long.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release date | 2005 |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 9, usually adjustable |
| RTP | 92.13% (Classic) or 95.10% (Deluxe), depending on the version and operator |
| Volatility | High |
| Maximum win | 5,000× your total stake |
| Bonus features | Free spins, expanding symbol, gamble feature |
| Wild and scatter | Book of Ra symbol |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt / adventure |
| Official website | booksof-ra.de |
How to Play Book of Ra
Start by choosing how many paylines to activate. The original Book of Ra has nine paylines, and you can play from one to all nine. Fewer lines keep the stake lower; more lines cover more combinations but cost more per spin.
Then set your bet size by adjusting the coin value and the bet level. Once the total stake fits your budget, press spin and the reels will start.
Winning Combinations
Wins pay when matching symbols land from left to right on an active payline. The first symbol has to appear on the leftmost reel. Premium symbols, such as the explorer, Pharaoh mask, scarab, and golden statue, can pay from two matching symbols. Lower-value card symbols like A, K, Q, J, and 10 usually need at least three. Five of a kind gives the best regular payout.
Gamble Feature
After a win, you can take the payout or risk it in the gamble round. You guess red or black to double the win, or the suit to quadruple it. You can usually repeat the gamble step up to the game’s limit, but one wrong guess loses the win.
RTP, Volatility, and Maximum Win
Book of Ra Classic has an RTP of 92.13%, while Book of Ra Deluxe is listed at 95.10%. In Italy, the exact RTP can vary by operator and game build, so it’s worth checking the info screen at the casino you’re using.
The game is high volatility. In simple terms, that means wins can be infrequent, but they may be bigger when they land. It’s a slot that can go through long quiet stretches before a stronger hit arrives.
Maximum Win Potential
The maximum win is 5,000 times your total stake. That top payout is mainly tied to the free spins feature, where the expanding explorer symbol can create the best result.
High volatility suits players who are comfortable with swings in balance and longer gaps between wins. It doesn’t change the odds on any single spin, but it does affect how the game feels over a session.
Symbols and Paytable
Book of Ra has a simple symbol hierarchy. The explorer is the highest-paying regular symbol, with five of a kind paying up to 5,000 times the line bet. The Pharaoh mask (Tutankhamun) follows, paying up to 2,000 times the line bet for five on a line.
The golden statue of Isis and the scarab beetle are the mid-tier symbols. Five of either can pay up to 750 times the line bet. The lower-paying symbols are the standard playing card icons: A, K, Q, J and 10. These come up more often, but the wins are smaller.
The Book of Ra Symbol
The Book of Ra symbol does two jobs. It acts as a wild, so it can replace other symbols to help complete a win. It also acts as a scatter, which is what triggers the free spins feature when three or more Books appear anywhere on the reels.
The Book can also pay on its own. Three, four or five Books usually pay 2x, 20x or 200x your total bet, depending on the version. Exact payouts can vary slightly by casino, so it’s worth checking the paytable in the game you’re playing.
Free Spins and Expanding Symbol
Landing three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels triggers 10 free spins. The Book does not have to land on a payline.
Before the feature starts, the game randomly selects one regular symbol, other than the Book, to act as the expanding symbol for that round. The choice stays the same until the free spins end.
How the Expanding Symbol Works
During free spins, if the selected symbol lands on a reel, it expands to cover all three positions on that reel. It pays anywhere on the screen, not just on active paylines.
More than one expanding symbol can land at once, which can lead to much larger wins. This is the main reason the bonus round can produce the game’s biggest payouts.
The free spins can also retrigger. If three or more Books appear again during the feature, you get another 10 spins with the same expanding symbol. There’s no stated cap on retriggers.
Book of Ra Classic vs. Book of Ra Deluxe
Book of Ra Classic is the original version of the game, with 9 paylines and a simpler presentation. Book of Ra Deluxe, released in 2008, adds a tenth payline and a cleaner modern look.
The main difference most players notice is RTP. Classic is listed at 92.13%, while Deluxe is listed at 95.10%. The Deluxe version is also the one you’re more likely to find on ADM-licensed sites in Italy.
Key Differences
| Feature | Book of Ra Classic | Book of Ra Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2005 | 2008 |
| Paylines | 9 | 10 |
| RTP | 92.13% | 95.10% |
| Volatility | High | High |
| Free Spins | 10 with expanding symbol | 10 with expanding symbol |
| Maximum Win | 5,000× stake | 5,000× stake |
Other Variants
Later versions of Book of Ra mainly change the reel setup while keeping the same basic idea: free spins and an expanding symbol. Common variants include Book of Ra Deluxe 6, Deluxe 10, Temple of Gold, and Magic.
For most Italian players, the standard Deluxe version is the simplest place to start. Classic is still around, but it’s usually chosen more for nostalgia than for any practical advantage.
Playing Book of Ra on Mobile
Book of Ra runs in the browser on both Android and iOS devices, so there’s usually no download needed. It uses HTML5 and should load smoothly on most modern smartphones and tablets through a compatible mobile browser.
Interface on Small Screens
The layout is simple and works well on smaller screens. Buttons are easy to tap, the reels stay clear, and the key game information remains visible without much zooming.
Casino Apps
Some ADM-licensed Italian casinos also include Book of Ra in their mobile apps. If the operator supports it, you can open the game directly from the app’s game list. Availability still depends on the casino.
How to Register and Start Playing for Real Money
To play Book of Ra for real money in Italy, you need an account with an ADM-licensed casino and a completed verification check. This is standard for regulated .it sites.
Registration Steps
Create an account and enter your personal details, including your name, date of birth, address, email and codice fiscale.
You’ll then need to upload a valid ID document, such as a passport or Italian identity card. The casino reviews the documents before approving the account, and this can take from a few minutes to several hours.
Deposit and Play
Once your account is verified, make a deposit using one of the payment methods accepted by the casino. Cryptocurrency deposits are not allowed on ADM-licensed sites.
After funding your account, open the game library and search for Book of Ra. It’s usually listed under Novomatic or Greentube.
Until your documents are approved, you won’t be able to start real-money play.
Playing Book of Ra for Free
You can usually try Book of Ra in demo mode on many casino sites. It loads with virtual credits, so you can explore the game without registering or depositing money.
Free play is useful if you want to learn the bonus features before betting real money. You can see how the free spins work, how the expanding symbol behaves, and get a feel for the game’s volatility. The demo uses the same basic game rules and RNG as the paid version.
Why Demo Mode Matters
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot, so dry spells can happen. Demo mode lets you see that pattern for yourself and decide whether the game suits your style. It also gives you time to check the paytable and practise the gamble feature without pressure.
Most Italian casino sites place the demo on the game page. Some ask you to create an account first, while others let you launch it straight away. In both cases, you’re not playing with real money.
The free version usually gives you unlimited credits. If the balance runs out, refreshing the page resets it.
Pros and Cons of Book of Ra
Book of Ra is easy to understand, even for first-time slot players. The main appeal is the free spins round, where one symbol expands across the reels and can lead to the game’s biggest wins. It’s also a long-running classic, so you’ll still find it on most Italian ADM-licensed casinos.
Advantages
- Simple gameplay with no complicated rules
- Free spins feature with an expanding symbol
- Gamble option for players who want to risk a win for a bigger payout
- Well-known title with wide availability across European and Italian casinos
Disadvantages
- Older graphics compared with newer slots
- The Classic version has a 92.13% RTP, which is below the average for modern slots
- High volatility can mean long losing streaks
- Fewer paylines than many newer games
That mix of simple play and high-risk, high-reward features is why some players still like the original, while others prefer newer Book of Ra versions or similar slots.
Playing Book of Ra in Italy
In Italy, real-money Book of Ra should be played only on ADM-licensed casinos. ADM, formerly AAMS, is the regulator for online gambling, and licensed operators are the legal option for Italian players. Many of these sites use a .it domain, which is a good sign, but the licence itself is what matters most.
Novomatic has long had a strong presence in Italy through its local arm, NOVOMATIC Italia S.p.A., based in Rimini. That’s one reason Book of Ra and related slots are still easy to find on regulated Italian sites.
Where to Play Book of Ra in Italy
Examples of ADM-licensed operators that offer Novomatic slots, including Book of Ra, include:
- SNAI — one of Italy’s largest betting and casino platforms
- Sisal — a long-established Italian operator with a broad slot section
- Lottomatica — a major local brand with a wide game library
- StarCasinò — an ADM-licensed site with Novomatic games available
- Eurobet — a well-known Italian operator that carries Book of Ra variants
Before depositing, check that the casino shows a valid ADM licence number.
Key Restrictions to Check
Italy’s Decreto Dignità has banned gambling advertising, so you won’t usually see Book of Ra promoted on TV, social media, or search ads.
ADM-licensed casinos also do not accept cryptocurrency deposits. In practice, players use standard payment methods such as bank transfer, debit or credit card, and approved e-wallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Book of Ra rigged?
No. On legal Italian sites, Book of Ra runs with a certified random number generator and is offered under an ADM licence. Each spin is independent.
Can you use tricks or strategies to win?
There’s no reliable system that can beat the game long term. The free spins feature with expanding symbols is where the biggest wins usually come from, but the results are still random. The only real control you have is how much you bet and when you stop.
What is the best bet size?
Pick a stake you can keep playing with for at least 100 to 200 spins. For many Italian players, that means around €0.20 to €1 per spin. Bigger bets increase the size of the potential 5,000x win, but they also use up your bankroll faster.
Can I play Book of Ra for free?
Yes. Most ADM casinos offer a demo version with virtual credits. It lets you try the game without risking real money, and the core game mechanics are the same as in the real-money version.
Is Book of Ra available on mobile?
Yes. It works on Android and iPhone through a modern browser, and it also runs in casino apps where those are available. The layout adjusts well to smaller screens.
Where can I play it in Italy?
In Italy, look for Book of Ra on ADM-licensed .it casino sites. Well-known regulated operators include SNAI, Sisal, Lottomatica, StarCasinò and Eurobet.
Does Book of Ra have a progressive jackpot?
No. The standard version has a fixed maximum win of 5,000x your total stake. A separate version, Book of Ra Jackpot Edition, includes a progressive jackpot.