Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is an Egyptian-themed slot developed by Novomatic and its digital division, Greentube. The game follows an explorer searching ancient tombs for hidden riches. It is a simple setup, but it has kept the game popular across Europe for over a decade.
The game originally launched in land-based casinos before moving online, where it became one of Novomatic's most recognisable titles. If you play on Italian casino sites, you have almost certainly seen it featured.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic (Greentube) |
| Grid Layout | 5 Reels, 3 Rows |
| Paylines | 9 (Classic) / 10 (Deluxe) |
| Volatility | High |
How the game works
Book of Ra uses a standard five-reel, three-row grid. The original version features nine adjustable paylines, letting you choose how many to activate before each spin. To win, matching symbols must land on consecutive reels along an active payline, reading from left to right starting from the first reel.
After any win, you can use the gamble feature. This offers a 50/50 chance to double your payout by guessing whether a hidden card is red or black. You can guess multiple times, but a single wrong choice loses the entire win.
Symbols and bonus features
The Book of Ra symbol is the most important one in the game. It acts as both a wild and a scatter, meaning it substitutes for other symbols to complete winning lines and triggers the bonus round when three or more appear anywhere on the reels.
Regular symbols
High-value symbols include an explorer, a pharaoh's sarcophagus, a statue of Isis, and a scarab beetle. The explorer is the highest-paying symbol, offering the top base-game prize if you land five on a payline. Lower-paying symbols are the standard 10, J, Q, K, and A cards.
Free spins bonus
Landing three or more Book symbols triggers 10 free spins. Before these start, the game randomly chooses one symbol to act as a special expanding symbol. When this chosen symbol appears during the bonus round, it expands to fill the entire reel and pays on all active lines, even if the symbols are not next to each other.
You can retrigger the bonus. Landing three more Books during your free spins adds another 10 spins, using the same expanding symbol.
RTP, volatility, and win potential
Book of Ra Deluxe has an RTP of around 95.10%, while the original Classic version sits lower at 92.13%. These figures can vary slightly depending on the casino, but both fall below the 96% average common in newer slots.
The game has high volatility. Wins happen less often, but they can be much larger when they do, particularly during the free spins round. The maximum payout is 5,000x your total bet, triggered by filling the screen with Explorer symbols during the bonus. This is a theoretical limit, not an outcome you should expect in a normal session.
Book of Ra Classic, Deluxe, and other versions
Book of Ra Deluxe is the version you'll find most often at Italian online casinos. It has largely replaced the Classic original and is the standard edition players usually mean when searching for the game.
Classic vs Deluxe
The original Classic version uses 9 paylines on a 5×3 grid. The Deluxe edition expands this to 10 paylines and updates the graphics and sound. Deluxe also tends to have a slightly higher RTP, though this depends on the casino. Always check the in-game info screen for the exact payout rate.
Gameplay remains the same across both. You get the same bonus structure and the same expanding symbols during free spins. The differences are mostly cosmetic.
Other editions
Novomatic has released several other variants over the years:
- Book of Ra Deluxe 6: Adds an optional sixth reel, increasing the paylines and maximum win potential.
- Book of Ra Magic: Allows up to nine special expanding symbols during bonus round retriggers, rather than just one.
- Book of Ra Mystic Fortunes: Adds a four-tier progressive jackpot to the base game.
Not every version is available at every ADM-licensed casino. Some operators only carry the Deluxe edition, while others offer a wider mix.
Can you play Book of Ra in Italy?
Yes. Book of Ra is available in Italy through online casinos licensed by ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). You must be at least 18 years old to play.
Not all licensed casinos carry the game, and the available versions vary by operator. You will typically find the Classic edition, Deluxe, or both.
Playing on unlicensed sites is illegal in Italy and offers no consumer protection, so always stick to ADM-regulated platforms.
Where to play Book of Ra online
When choosing a casino for Book of Ra, the most important step is checking for a valid ADM licence. This guarantees the operator is legally allowed to serve players in Italy, ensuring fair play and the security of your funds.
Top ADM casinos for Book of Ra
Here are some of the major licensed Italian operators and the versions of the game they currently offer:
| Italian ADM Casino | Available Book of Ra Versions |
|---|---|
| Snai | Classic, Deluxe, Deluxe 6 |
| StarCasinò | Deluxe, Mystic Fortunes |
| Lottomatica | Deluxe, Deluxe 10 |
| Sisal | Deluxe, Magic |
Platform and performance
A good casino should load the game smoothly on both desktop and mobile without needing a separate app. Game stability is more important than a flashy design. If a site is laggy or hard to navigate, it is best avoided.
Reputable operators will also display the game's Return to Player (RTP) percentage and rules clearly before you start playing.
Can you play Book of Ra for free?
Many online casinos offer a demo version of Book of Ra. It plays exactly like the real money version, letting you test the game and its bonus rounds using virtual credits instead of real stakes.
However, accessing the demo in Italy usually requires an extra step. Most ADM-licensed casinos restrict free play to registered users. This means you will need to create and verify an account before you can try the game, even if you do not plan to make a deposit.
Playing on mobile
Book of Ra runs directly in your mobile browser, so you don't need to download an app. It works smoothly on both iOS and Android. Just log into your chosen ADM-licensed casino, find the game, and start playing.
App vs browser
While some Italian casinos offer dedicated apps, Book of Ra isn't always included in them. Casino apps often have smaller game libraries than their main websites. If you want to play Book of Ra Deluxe or other variants, checking the browser version of the casino is almost always the safer bet.
Usability on smaller screens
On phones, the game plays in landscape mode. The reels are easy to see on modern smartphones, though menus and autoplay controls can feel cramped. Tablets offer a much more comfortable experience, especially when the expanding symbols trigger during free spins.
Performance depends mostly on your internet connection. On a stable 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi network, the mobile game runs just as smoothly as the desktop version.
Other Novomatic slots to try
If you enjoy Book of Ra, several other Novomatic titles offer a similar experience. Keep in mind that game availability depends on your chosen ADM-licensed casino.
- Lord of the Ocean: Uses an almost identical bonus structure—10 free spins with a special expanding symbol—but with an underwater theme.
- Lucky Lady's Charm Deluxe: Features a 15 free spins bonus round with a 3x multiplier.
- Sizzling Hot Deluxe: A classic, high-volatility fruit slot with simple mechanics.
- Book of Maya and Pharaoh's Gold II: Good alternatives if you prefer to stick to the ancient Egypt setting.
Book of Ra FAQs
How many paylines does Book of Ra have?
Book of Ra Classic has 9 paylines. Book of Ra Deluxe has 10 adjustable paylines.
How are free spins triggered?
Land three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels. You'll receive 10 free spins with a randomly chosen expanding symbol.
What's the RTP?
Book of Ra Deluxe usually has an RTP around 95.10%, though this can vary by operator. The Classic version is lower, at roughly 92.13%.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The game runs smoothly in mobile browsers on both iOS and Android without needing an app.
What's the difference between Classic and Deluxe?
Deluxe adds one extra payline, updated graphics, and a higher RTP. The core bonus feature — 10 free spins with an expanding symbol — is the same in both.
Is Book of Ra available in Italy?
Yes, but only at casinos licensed by ADM. Not every operator carries it, so check the game library before signing up.
Can I try it for free?
Yes, many casinos offer a demo mode. However, due to Italian regulations, you must register and verify your account before you can play for free.
Is Book of Ra high volatility?
Yes. Wins are less frequent but can be large, especially during the free spins round where the maximum payout is 5,000x your bet.