Book of Ra – The Original by Novomatic

Game Name Book of Ra
Developer Novomatic
Release Year 2005
Game Type Video Slot
Reels 5
Rows 3
Paylines 9 (adjustable)
RTP 92.13% – 95.10%
Volatility Medium to High
Minimum Bet £0.01 per line
Maximum Bet £50 per line
Maximum Win 5,000x line bet

Book of Ra is Novomatic’s most famous slot. Since its release in 2005, this game has captivated players across the UK and beyond. It has established itself as a classic amongst slot machines and continues to influence many other slots with Egyptian themes. Its simple yet thrilling design ensures Book of Ra remains a favourite in UK online casinos. The original was created by Austrian developer Novomatic, who set a new benchmark with Book of Ra.

Experience Egyptian Adventure While Playing

With Book of Ra, you’re immersed in a mysterious world. The theme is inspired by Ancient Egypt, where you take on the role of an adventurer searching for the mythical book. You’ll be accompanied by symbols such as pharaohs, scarabs, and treasures. The design instantly transports you to the atmosphere of ancient Egyptian temples. On the reels, you’ll find classic card symbols as well as the explorer, pharaoh, Isis, and the scarab.

Gameplay and Special Features

Book of Ra follows straightforward rules. You play on five reels with three rows and can activate up to nine paylines. The Book symbol plays a central role: it acts as both Wild and Scatter. If three or more Book symbols appear, ten free spins are automatically triggered. During the free spins, a special symbol is randomly chosen, which can expand to cover the entire reel. This simple mechanic adds extra excitement and appeals to both newcomers and experienced players alike.

Play the Free Demo Version

Quick Start Without Registration

You can launch Book of Ra in demo mode directly in your browser, without any need to register or enter personal details. With just one click, the game begins and you are instantly given 5,000 virtual credits. Thanks to HTML5 technology, you can play on any modern browser without having to download any software.

All Features Just Like the Original

The demo version offers you the full Book of Ra experience. You can enjoy all the features you’d expect from the real money game: bonus rounds with 10 free spins, triggered by at least three Book of Ra symbols, and the iconic book, which acts as both a wild and scatter symbol. After every win, you have access to the gamble feature, allowing you to double your winnings by guessing the colour of the next card up to five times in a row.

Perfect for First-Time Players

The demo helps you get to know the nine fixed paylines and the dynamics of medium to high volatility. You can bet between 1 and 900 credits per spin, giving you the chance to try out different strategies. The minimum stake is 1 credit per line, with a maximum of 100 credits per line possible. Your virtual balance automatically resets to 5,000 credits every time you reload the game.

If you wish to move from the free trial to playing with real money, the interface remains the same. The 5 reels and 3 rows provide a familiar environment, so you can focus fully on your game.

Real Money Play on the Official Platform

How to Get Started on the Official Website

To play Book of Ra with real money, you need your own player account on an official, licensed platform that offers Novomatic titles. When registering, you’ll be asked for basic information such as your name, date of birth, address, and a valid email address. After confirming your email, you can activate your account. For security reasons, many providers will also request your mobile number.

What You Need for Real Money Play

You must be of legal age, meaning at least 18 years old, and prove that you have a permanent residence in the UK. The platform will require a valid passport or driving licence to verify your identity. In addition, you will need to provide proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement. This ensures you meet the requirements of UK gambling regulations. After your first deposit, you have 72 hours to complete the verification process.

Deposits and Betting Options

Once your account has been verified, you can deposit funds. The minimum amount is usually £10, depending on the payment method you choose. Accepted methods include credit card, PayPal, instant bank transfer, and Paysafecard. After your deposit has been credited, Book of Ra is fully available to you. You can choose your stake per spin – between £0.05 and £100 per spin. The monthly deposit limit of £1,000 is set by law and applies to all players in the UK.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Payment Methods

On the official Book of Ra website, UK players have access to a range of secure payment methods. You can choose between bank transfer, instant bank transfer, Giropay, Trustly and PayPal. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are also available as options. All offered methods comply with the current UK regulations and ensure a secure payment process.

Deposit and Withdrawal Limits

Payment Method Minimum Deposit Maximum Deposit Minimum Withdrawal
Bank Transfer £10 £1,000 £20
Instant Bank Transfer £10 £1,000 £20
Giropay £10 £1,000 £20
PayPal £10 £1,000 £20
Trustly £10 £1,000 £20

For UK users, the monthly deposit limit is £1,000. This limit is set according to legal requirements to ensure responsible gambling on the platform.

Processing and Fees

Deposits made with instant bank transfer, Giropay, PayPal or Trustly are credited to your player account immediately. Bank transfers may take 1 to 3 working days before the funds are available. When you request a withdrawal, the platform processes your request within 24 to 48 hours. The withdrawal time varies depending on the method: with PayPal, you usually receive your money within 24 hours, while bank transfers typically take 2 to 5 working days. The platform does not charge any additional fees for deposits or withdrawals.

Please note that withdrawals are always made using the same method you used to deposit. This requirement is for security and complies with legal regulations for the prevention of money laundering. Before your first withdrawal, you will need to verify your identity with a valid form of identification.

Licensing and Legal Framework

Regulatory Aspect Details
Licensing Authority Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL)
Monthly Deposit Limit £860
Bet Limit per Spin £0.86
5-Second Rule Minimum interval between spins
Panic Button 24-hour gaming pause available

Official Licence for Book of Ra

Book of Ra is available to you on the official platform under a German gambling licence. This is issued by the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) in Halle (Saale). This ensures that all requirements of the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 are met. You can find the licence number in the footer of the platform and verify it at any time in the public whitelist of the GGL.

Implementation of German Regulations

The platform strictly adheres to all rules applicable in Germany. There is a monthly deposit limit of £860, which applies across all providers and is monitored via the OASIS system. The maximum bet per spin is £0.86. There must be a pause of at least five seconds between two game rounds. After 60 minutes of play, an automatic interruption is triggered. Before your first withdrawal, an identity check will be carried out, either via Video-Ident or PostIdent.

Security and Player Protection

Your data is protected with state-of-the-art 256-bit SSL encryption. Regular checks by the GGL and independent testing bodies such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs provide additional security. Deposits are kept separate from company funds in trustee accounts at German banks, as required by § 6a of the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021. Random number generators are certified according to ISO/IEC 17025 and ensure fair payouts with a rate of 95.1%.

Winning Chances and RTP Value

RTP Value in Book of Ra

Book of Ra offers you a Return to Player (RTP) of 95.10 percent. This value indicates how much money is paid back to players in the long run. For example, if you stake £100, on average £95.10 will be returned. The RTP is based on a large number of game rounds and should be understood as a theoretical average.

Volatility and Payout Structure

Book of Ra has a medium to high volatility. This means that wins do not occur regularly; instead, smaller, more frequent wins alternate with larger, less frequent payouts. It’s possible that you may go a longer period without any win, only to hit several wins in quick succession. The maximum single win is 5,000 times your line bet if five explorer symbols appear on an active payline.

Your Chances of Winning in Detail

Your chances of winning depend on the number of active paylines. With all nine lines activated, your chances are at their highest. The probability of triggering free spins, when three Book of Ra symbols (Scatter) appear, is around 0.7 percent. These free spins significantly increase your chances of winning. The most valuable symbols – especially the explorer and the book – offer the highest payouts, but appear less frequently than the card symbols.

Budget and Gameplay

Due to the volatility, it’s advisable to plan your gaming budget carefully. With a budget that covers at least 100 to 200 spins, you will be better prepared for longer losing streaks. On average, you can expect a free spins bonus roughly every 140 spins. These figures will help you to realistically assess the game and adjust your play accordingly.

Game Rules and Symbols

Symbol 5x Win 4x Win 3x Win
Explorer 5000x 1000x 100x
Pharaoh 2000x 400x 40x
Scarab 750x 100x 30x
Statue 750x 100x 30x
A/K 150x 40x 5x
Q/J/10 100x 25x 5x

Symbols and Paylines

Across the five reels of Book of Ra, you will find ten different symbols. The standard version offers up to 9 paylines, while Book of Ra Deluxe provides 10 lines. The most lucrative symbol is the Explorer: five in a row will award you 5,000 times your line bet. The golden Pharaoh mask follows with 2,000x. Both the Scarab and the Statue can each deliver up to 750x. The card symbols Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 sit at the lower end of the paytable, ranging from 5x to 150x. Winning combinations consist of three or more matching symbols on an active payline, always counted from left to right.

Book of Ra as Wild and Scatter

The book symbol serves a dual purpose. As a Wild, it substitutes for any other symbol to help complete winning lines. At the same time, it acts as a Scatter: if at least three book symbols appear anywhere on the reels, you trigger 10 free spins. Three, four, or five scatters also award you a payout of 2, 20, or 200 times your total bet respectively.

Free Spins and Special Expansion

During the free spins round, one random symbol is chosen as the expanding symbol. If this symbol appears sufficiently often, it expands to cover the entire reel – regardless of whether the symbols are adjacent. Regular wins are paid out first, followed by the expansion. Throughout your free spins, the selected expanding symbol remains in place and you can retrigger additional free spins with another three book symbols – with no limit.

Mobile Version and App

Book of Ra on Your Mobile

You can conveniently play Book of Ra on your smartphone or tablet. The game runs on all common mobile devices, whether Android or iOS. The official website is optimised for mobile, allowing you to start directly via your browser such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox. There’s no need to install a separate app. The display automatically adjusts to your device. Whether you play in portrait or landscape mode, the gaming experience remains just as high-quality.

Technical Requirements

For smooth gameplay, you’ll need a stable internet connection—at least 3G, but preferably 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi. Your device should have at least iOS 10.0 or Android 5.0. Book of Ra uses HTML5, so no additional download or plugin is needed. You play directly in your browser, keeping your storage free. With 2 GB RAM, the mobile version runs optimally.

Differences from the Desktop Version

You’ll find all the features of the desktop version available on mobile as well. The 9 paylines, the RTP rate between 92.13% and 95.10%, and all bonus features are at your disposal without restriction. The controls have been adapted for touchscreens: the spin button is larger and central, and you change your stake using plus and minus symbols. The autoplay mode allows up to 100 automatic spins. Thanks to optimised graphics, the games load quickly and the image quality remains sharp.