Book Of Ra
Book of Ra: The Legendary Egyptian Slot
| Main Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic |
| Release Year | 2005 |
| Reels / Paylines | 5 reels / 9 lines |
| RTP | 92.13 % (land) / 94.26 % (online) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | ≈ 5,000× stake |
| Bonus | 10 Free Spins + Expanding Symbol |
| Bet Range | €0.09 – €45* |
We recognize Book of Ra as Germany's most iconic slot machine. Novomatic launched this Egyptian adventure back in 2005, and it remains a fixture in casinos today. The game features five reels with nine adjustable paylines, populated by explorers, pharaohs, scarabs and the mysterious Book itself—which acts as both wild and scatter.
High volatility pairs with a 92.13% RTP in land venues and 94.26% online, creating significant swings during play. When three or more Book symbols appear, we get 10 free games with one randomly selected expanding symbol. This straightforward mechanic sparked an entire genre of imitators but the original still dominates casino floors.
*Licensed German operators set their own stake limits.
Official Game Versions and Variants
Classic and Deluxe Editions
We've seen Book of Ra evolve through several versions since its launch. The Classic edition features 5 reels, 3 rows, and 9 fixed paylines with an RTP of 92.13% and high volatility. Its trademark gamble feature lets players double their wins. Book of Ra Deluxe keeps the same layout but improves the graphics significantly, adds a 10th payline, and increases RTP to 95.03%. The core gameplay remains familiar, but Deluxe offers better long-term value with that higher return percentage.
Deluxe 6 and Magic Versions
Book of Ra Deluxe 6 introduced an optional sixth reel that doubles your stake when activated but pushes maximum potential to 15,000× with RTP at 95.02%. Book of Ra Magic arrived in 2018 with 5 reels, 10 lines, and 95.03% RTP. Its standout feature is the free-spin bonus that can unlock up to nine expanding symbols simultaneously, creating massive win screens. Both versions offer 10 retriggerable free spins. None of these variants include progressive jackpots.
Game Symbols and Paytable Breakdown
High-Value and Low-Value Symbols
We've analyzed the Book of Ra Deluxe paytable to show you exactly what each symbol delivers. The explorer stands at the top, offering 5,000× your line bet when five appear on a payline. The Pharaoh sarcophagus comes next, followed by the golden Statue of Horus and the sacred scarab beetle. These thematic symbols form the core of bigger wins. Standard card symbols—10, J, Q, K, and A—appear more often but pay less.
| Symbol | 5× | 4× | 3× | 2× |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | 5,000× | 1,000× | 100× | 10× |
| Pharaoh Sarcophagus | 2,000× | 400× | 40× | 5× |
| Statue of Horus | 750× | 100× | 30× | — |
| Scarab | 750× | 100× | 30× | — |
| A, K | 150× | 40× | 10× | — |
| Q, J, 10 | 100× | 25× | 5× | — |
| Book (Scatter) | 3–5 books pay 2×, 20×, or 200× total bet | |||
The Book Symbol
The Book of Ra works as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for every symbol and triggers 10 free spins when three land anywhere. Scatter wins get calculated on your total stake, which is how the game reaches its maximum 50,000× potential.
Free Spins Feature and Expanding Symbols
How We Trigger Free Spins
We activate the bonus round when three or more Book of Ra symbols land anywhere on the reels. The Book serves double duty as both Wild and Scatter. Three Books award 10 free spins and a 2x scatter win. Four Books grant the same spins but pay 20x our total bet. Five Books deliver 10 spins with a 200x scatter payout.
The Expanding Symbol
Before our free spins begin, the game randomly selects one regular symbol as the Special Expanding Symbol. During spins, this chosen symbol expands across entire reels when enough appear. It then pays across all ten lines without needing to be adjacent. The Explorer and Pharaoh need just two symbols to expand. The Statue, Scarab, and card symbols A through 10 require three.
We can retrigger the feature when three or more Books appear during the bonus. Each retrigger adds another 10 spins with no maximum limit. A screen filled with Explorers pays 5,000 times our stake.
RTP, Volatility, and Betting Options
Return to Player
We've found that Book of Ra's RTP varies depending on which version you're playing and where. The land-based Classic sits at 92.13%, while most online Deluxe versions offer 95.03%. Remember, these percentages reflect theoretical long-term payouts across millions of spins, not what you'll see in a single session.
Volatility
Every version carries medium to high volatility. You might experience dry spells between wins, but when they hit, payouts can reach 5,000× your line bet. That's why we always stress proper bankroll management before you start spinning.
Betting Range
Stakes run from €0.10 up to €150 per spin, though your exact range depends on the specific release and your casino's settings. This flexibility works for cautious players and those chasing bigger thrills.
| Version | RTP % | Typical Bet Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Classic (land) | 92.13 | €0.20 – 20 |
| Classic (online) | 94.26 | €0.10 – 50 |
| Deluxe | 95.03 | €0.10 – 100 |
| Deluxe 6 | 95.02 | €0.20 – 150 |
| Magic | 95.03 | €0.10 – 100 |
*Limits vary by operator and local regulations.
Where to Play Book of Ra Legally in Germany
The Legal Framework
We know finding Book of Ra online in Germany requires attention to licensing. Only casinos operating under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 are legitimate. The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder oversees these operators and enforces strict rules: €1 maximum stake per spin, a 5-second pause between spins, and a €1,000 monthly deposit limit across all platforms.
Licensed Platforms
We recommend verifying the licence number and GGL seal before playing. Book of Ra only appears on sites with official Greentube distribution agreements. Three verified options include Novoline.de, which offers Book of Ra Deluxe and Book of Ra Magic directly from Novomatic. StarGames.de returned in 2022 with full GGL licensing, while DrückGlück.de now holds a national permit. We suggest checking Greentube.com's licensed operators page to confirm a casino's legitimacy.
Winning Strategies and Gameplay Tips
Budget Control
We set a fixed budget before playing Book of Ra. Breaking our total into smaller portions for individual sessions lets us extend playtime without risking too much at once. When a session turns sour, we stop and come back later instead of raising our bets impulsively.
Bet Adjustments
We typically begin with smaller wagers. There are moments when adjusting bet levels makes sense, like after completing a bonus round or during a hot streak. That said, we don't jump to maximum stakes hoping for instant payouts since Book of Ra tends to have medium-to-high volatility.
Realistic Expectations
We recognize that outcomes depend entirely on chance. Big payouts happen, but they're never guaranteed. We concentrate on the entertainment value, make the most of free spins when they arrive, and quit while we're ahead to preserve our funds. Activating all paylines improves our odds of hitting three Book scatters.
Mobile Gaming and Accessibility
Playing on Smartphones and Tablets
We've found that Novomatic's HTML5 rebuild makes Book of Ra run smoothly on modern mobile devices. If you're using iOS 12 or later, or Android 6.0 and up, the game loads directly in your browser without hassle. The controls respond well to touch—you can adjust your bet, check the paytable, or start a spin with one tap. Graphics maintain their quality at 16:9 HD whether you hold your phone upright or turn it sideways.
Apps vs Browser Play
Most German-licensed casinos let you play Book of Ra straight through Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. No download needed. Some operators like Casinoclub and Admiral go further and provide dedicated apps through the Apple App Store and Google Play. These native apps preload game files, which cuts loading time and adds biometric login options like Face ID or Touch ID.
Mobile vs Desktop Differences
We've compared both experiences. The RTP stays identical—95.03% for Classic and 95.10% for Deluxe—regardless of your device. Bet limits remain the same too, typically €0.10 to €50 per spin based on casino rules. You'll still find auto-play and the gamble feature on mobile, though German regulations sometimes disable auto-play. The main difference is visual: mobile versions use a compact control panel that bundles menu, sound, and turbo spin buttons together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Game Details
Book of Ra Classic runs on 5 reels with 9 paylines you can adjust, offering an RTP of 92.13%. Book of Ra Deluxe brings improved graphics, an additional payline, and a better 95.10% RTP. Landing five explorer symbols pays 5,000× your line bet. When three or more Book symbols land, we get 10 free spins. A standard symbol is selected at random before the round begins and expands across its entire reel during spins, paying on any active line regardless of position. The free spins feature retriggers indefinitely.
Availability and Play Options
We can play Book of Ra legally at licensed online casinos operating under the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021. Greentube powers these platforms. Demo play becomes available after we verify age and identity. In Deluxe, bets start at €0.10 per spin—that's €0.02 per line—and go up to €50 or €100 depending on the casino. Most of us prefer Deluxe for its enhanced visuals and extra payline, though Classic still has its fans.