Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is a video slot by Novomatic, first released in 2005. It helped define the “book slot” style that many later games copied, and it’s still one of the best-known names in this part of the market.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release | 2005 |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 9 in the classic version |
| RTP | 92.13% in the classic game |
| Volatility | High |
| Bonus feature | 10 free spins with a randomly chosen expanding symbol |
The theme is ancient Egypt. You follow an explorer searching for the Book of Ra, with symbols such as scarabs, pharaohs and the book itself. The presentation is simple by modern standards, but that stripped-back style is part of why the game stayed recognisable for so long.
In Italy, the Book of Ra name has remained popular for years. Online, players are more likely to find licensed Greentube versions such as Book of Ra Deluxe than the original 9-line classic, but the core idea is the same: a straightforward high-volatility slot built around free spins and expanding symbols.
How to Play Book of Ra
Book of Ra is a classic slot with 5 reels, 3 rows, and up to 9 adjustable paylines in the standard version.
Setting Your Bet
Before each spin, you choose how many paylines to activate and the coin value for each line. Your total stake is based on those two settings. Fewer lines mean a lower bet, but they also reduce the number of chances to form a winning combination. Many players leave all 9 lines active.
Bet limits vary by casino, so it’s worth checking the stake panel before you start.
Spinning the Reels
Once your bet is set, press spin. Wins are paid from left to right, starting on the first reel. Card symbols need at least 3 matching symbols on an active payline, while some premium picture symbols can pay from 2. The button layout may vary slightly between casinos, but the basic rules stay the same.
Symbols and Payouts
The Book of Ra symbol is the key symbol on the reels. In the base game, it works as both a wild and a scatter: it can substitute for other symbols in winning combinations, and it also pays when 3 or more land anywhere.
High-Value Symbols
The highest-paying symbols are the themed characters and objects. The Explorer usually pays the most, followed by the Pharaoh or mummy, the statue often called Isis, and the Scarab. These symbols offer the best returns when they line up on active paylines.
Low-Value Symbols
The lower-paying symbols are the standard card royals: 10, J, Q, K, and A. They appear more often than the premium symbols, but their payouts are much smaller.
Free Spins and Expanding Symbols
Three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels trigger 10 free spins. Their position doesn't matter, and they don't need to land on the same payline.
Before the feature starts, the game randomly chooses one regular symbol as the expanding symbol for all 10 spins.
How the expanding symbol works
If the chosen symbol lands as part of a win during the free spins, it expands to fill the whole reel. Expanded symbols can still pay even when they appear on non-adjacent reels, so reels 1, 3 and 5 can count. Picture symbols may pay from two, while card symbols usually need three.
The payout depends on which symbol was selected. If it's a high-value symbol such as the Explorer, the feature can pay much more than if a lower-value card symbol is chosen. That's a big part of the game's volatility.
The free spins round can also be retriggered. If three or more Book symbols land again during the feature, another 10 free spins are added.
The Gamble Feature
After a winning spin, Book of Ra often lets you gamble that payout in a double-or-nothing card game. In the standard version, you guess the card colour — red or black — to try to double the win. Some versions also offer a suit guess for a higher-risk option.
The rule is simple: if you guess wrong, you lose the full amount from that spin. There isn't a smaller fallback payout.
This feature doesn't improve the game's RTP. It mainly adds more risk and can make results swing more sharply. If you've hit a decent win, taking it rather than gambling it is usually the safer choice.
RTP and Volatility
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot. In simple terms, wins can be spaced out and losing runs can last for a while, with most of the bigger returns tied to the bonus feature rather than regular play.
The classic version is commonly listed with an RTP of 92.13%, which is low compared with many modern online slots. Some online versions, including Book of Ra Deluxe, may offer a higher RTP, so it’s worth checking the paytable or game info screen at your Italian casino before you start.
Because of the game’s volatility, bankroll matters. If you’re playing with a small balance, sticking to lower stakes gives you more chance of lasting long enough to reach the feature round.
Other Book of Ra Games
Book of Ra has several follow-up versions. They keep the same Egyptian theme and expanding-symbol feature, but the pay system, bonus play and overall feel can change quite a bit.
- Book of Ra Deluxe – The best-known version. It has updated graphics and 10 paylines instead of 9 in the classic game.
- Book of Ra Magic – Similar to the original, but the bonus round can retrigger and add more special expanding symbols.
- Book of Ra Deluxe: Win Ways – A bigger change from the original. It replaces fixed paylines with a ways-to-win system and adds cascading wins.
If you know the original game, Deluxe is usually the easiest alternative to move to. At Italian online casinos, Deluxe-style versions are generally easier to find than the older 9-line classic.
Italian Casino Licensing and Safety
Play Book of Ra only at casinos licensed by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), which regulates online gambling in Italy. If a site doesn't have an ADM concession, it operates outside the Italian legal market and you don't get the same player protections.
How to Verify a Casino's ADM Licence
Licensed casinos in Italy usually show their ADM concession details in the footer or legal section. You can also check the operator name against the ADM's official list of authorised sites. If the licensing information is missing or unclear, it's best not to deposit.
The ADM also blocks unauthorised domains, so an unfamiliar site is another reason to verify it first.
- Check the ADM concession details in the footer or legal section.
- Confirm the operator appears on the official ADM list.
- Open the game info and check that the provider is Novomatic or Greentube.
Why It Matters for Book of Ra Specifically
Book of Ra is supplied to licensed operators under regulated conditions. At an ADM-licensed casino, you should be playing the certified Greentube version used in the legal Italian market. On an unlicensed site, there's no guarantee the game, RTP setting or withdrawal rules match a legitimate local offer.
That's the practical value of staying within the regulated market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Book of Ra available in demo mode?
Sometimes. Some ADM-licensed casinos offer a free-play version, while others don't. If demo mode matters to you, check the game page before you register.
Does Book of Ra work on mobile?
Yes. You can usually play it on smartphones and tablets through a mobile browser, and some operators also include it in their casino apps.
What is the maximum potential win?
The headline top payout on the paytable is 5,000x the line bet for five Explorer symbols. The highest possible return in a single round can vary by version, so check the in-game paytable before you play.
Can I play Book of Ra for real money in Italy?
Yes, as long as you use a casino with a valid ADM licence. Unlicensed sites can't legally offer real-money gambling to players in Italy.
Is there a jackpot?
No. Book of Ra is not a progressive jackpot slot. Wins come from the paytable, the free spins feature, and any optional gamble round included in that version.
Which version should I play?
For most players, the original and Book of Ra Deluxe are the easiest starting points. In Italian online casinos, Deluxe and Deluxe 10 are often easier to find than the older 9-line original. Deluxe adds a tenth payline, while the classic version keeps the original format.