Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
| Developer | Novomatic (Greentube) |
|---|---|
| Game Type | Video Slot |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | Up to 9 (Classic version) or 10 (Deluxe version) |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt, Adventure |
| Key Feature | Free Spins with a special expanding symbol |
Theme and symbols
Book of Ra is a popular Egyptian-themed video slot from Novomatic, well-known across the UK. You join an adventurer venturing into tombs in search of hidden treasures. The Book of Ra symbol is at the heart of the game. It acts as a Wild, helping to complete winning lines, and also as a Scatter, triggering the bonus round. High-value symbols include the Explorer, a Pharaoh’s sarcophagus, a statue of Isis, and a scarab beetle. Lower value symbols are A, K, Q, J, and 10. The layout remains clear and easy to follow, whether you’re playing on desktop or mobile.
How it plays
The slot features 5 reels. The number of paylines depends on the version: the Classic offers up to 9, while Book of Ra Deluxe has 10. You select your stake, choose the number of active lines, and spin the reels. Wins pay from left to right on any active line. If you land three or more Book of Ra symbols anywhere, you’ll be awarded 10 free spins. Before free spins begin, one symbol is randomly chosen to become a special expander. During free spins, this symbol expands if enough land to form a win—typically 3 for card symbols or 2 for picture symbols—and pays out on all active lines, even if not adjacent. Most versions also feature an optional 50/50 card colour Gamble, where you can try to double your winnings, but risk losing them entirely.
Why players pick it
Players appreciate the familiar theme, straightforward rules, and bonus features that can brighten up a quiet session. The extras are kept simple, but the expanding symbol can create some excitement. On the official site, you’ll find German text and audio, consistent rules, and visuals faithful to the original. Newcomers can pick it up quickly, although there will be some spins with little action.
Book of Ra: Play for Free
Where to try the demo
We can try Book of Ra without spending money by launching the demo on the official game page at a licensed online casino that serves the UK. On the slot page, we select Demo or Practice, and the game loads with a virtual balance, typically starting at 5,000 credits. In line with UK Gambling Commission regulations, some casinos may require us to register and verify our age before the demo launches to protect players. The demo runs in the browser on desktop and mobile via HTML5, so there’s no need to download anything. We can also switch between popular versions like Book of Ra Classic and Book of Ra Deluxe to see which one suits us best.
Why practice first
Free play allows us to learn the pace and key features before we risk any money. We can see how the Book symbol works as both Wild and Scatter, how 10 free games are triggered, and how the special expanding symbol operates during the bonus. By trying out different stake sizes, we can get a feel for volatility and plan a bankroll that suits us. The demo mirrors the real version’s mechanics and Random Number Generator, so outcomes are true to the game. The only real differences are the currency and the fact we can’t cash out.
| Feature | Demo Mode | Real Money Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free with virtual credits | Deposit required (GBP) |
| Winnings | Not withdrawable | Withdrawable cash |
| Game Mechanics | Identical RTP and RNG | Identical RTP and RNG |
| Risk Level | No financial risk | Risk of loss |
| Primary Goal | Learn rules and bonus flow | Entertainment with win potential |
Quick start tips
- Set a short session goal and keep an eye on your balance.
- Try out different stake levels to find a comfortable range.
- Notice how often bonuses appear and how long dry spells last.
- Switch to real money play only when the gameplay feels familiar.
Real Money Book of Ra: How to Play
Playing Book of Ra for real money in the UK is straightforward when we follow UKGC rules. Here we show how to join a licensed casino, fund the account, and start the official game safely.
Pick a licensed site
We choose a UK casino licensed by the UKGC. We access it through the casino’s official website or app, then search the lobby for the official Book of Ra from Greentube (Novomatic) to avoid a copy.
Create and verify an account
We register with real, verifiable details. We confirm email or phone and complete mandatory KYC. That means a quick upload of an ID document and proof of address, a standard step in the UK for player and age protection.
Set limits and deposit
Before our first bet, we set responsible gaming limits. UK rules recommend setting a deposit limit, which we can tailor to our budget. We can also set loss and session time limits. Then we visit the cashier, pick a payment method, and deposit funds in pounds sterling (£).
Open the official game
In the slots section we launch Book of Ra. The loading screen shows the Greentube or Novomatic logo. We review the paytable and rules inside the game’s info area before spinning.
Adjust stake and lines
We set our stake per spin, respecting the UK cap which may vary by casino, but is often set at £2 per spin. Depending on the version, like Book of Ra classic or Deluxe, we can select active paylines, typically 1 to 10. Autoplay and Quick Spin are disabled under UKGC rules to meet the minimum spin duration requirement.
Spin and play features
We press Spin to place a real money bet. The Book symbol works as both Wild and Scatter. Three or more Books anywhere trigger 10 free games with a randomly chosen special expanding symbol. All winnings go straight to our casino balance.
Manage your session
We stick to our limits. UKGC-licensed casinos show a reality check pop-up at intervals with session time, wins, and losses. If we reach our budget or time limit, we stop and do not chase losses.
Deposits and Withdrawals
On the official Book of Ra casino site, all payments are processed by a licensed operator. In the UK, we can choose trusted methods for fast deposits and secure withdrawals. Deposits are usually instant so we can start playing straight away. Withdrawals are released after a brief security check by the casino.
Payment methods in the UK
The exact options depend on the operator, but most of us will find cards, instant banking, and e-wallets. Here’s a quick overview of common choices and typical processing times.
| Payment Method | Type | Typical Deposit Time | Typical Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard | Credit/Debit Card | Instant | 1-3 working days |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Mobile Payment | Instant | Not always available |
| PayPal | E-Wallet | Instant | 0-24 hours |
| Skrill / Neteller | E-Wallet | Instant | 0-24 hours |
| paysafecard | Prepaid Card | Instant | Not available |
| Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer | 1-2 working days | 1-3 working days |
Some casinos also allow us to deposit with Trustly or other payment services.
Currencies and limits
All transactions for players in the United Kingdom are in Pounds Sterling (£). The minimum deposit is generally £10. The minimum withdrawal is typically £10 or £20, depending on the casino’s policy. Maximum amounts vary by method and operator. UK regulations may also require casinos to set reasonable deposit limits for safer gambling. We can request a higher limit after further verification or set a lower personal limit. Casinos may also apply daily or weekly withdrawal caps.
Processing times
Card, e-wallet, Apple Pay, and Google Pay deposits are credited to our balance instantly. Bank transfer deposits can take 1-2 working days. Withdrawals are subject to an internal review, which usually takes up to 24 hours. After approval, e-wallet and PayPal withdrawals often arrive within hours. Card and bank transfer withdrawals typically take 1-3 working days.
Fees and verification
Licensed casinos do not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, but our bank or payment provider might. Before making a first withdrawal, we must complete KYC by providing an ID card or passport and a recent utility bill. To avoid delays, we should use payment methods registered in our own name.
Winning Rates and Payouts
RTP for UK players
On the official Book of Ra game page, the RTP is shown in the info panel. In the UK, the online versions we see most frequently are around 95% RTP, while some classic or land-based editions are closer to 92%. RTP is a long-term statistical average, not a guarantee for any single session, so we treat it as a guide rather than a target. The exact figure depends on the version offered by your chosen licensed operator, as different variants have distinct return rates. Each release displays slightly different values, so we always check the shown RTP before we play.
| Game Version | RTP (Return to Player) | Maximum Win |
|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | 92.13% | 5,000x total stake |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | 95.10% | 5,000x total stake |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | 95.03% | 7,500x total stake (with 6th reel) |
| Book of Ra Magic | 95.03% | 5,000x total stake |
Volatility and risk
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot. Payouts can be infrequent, but they can also be substantial when they do appear. We manage our bankroll with this in mind, keep our bets steady, and give the bonus feature time to arrive. Small and medium wins do occur in the base game, but the biggest swings come from Free Games with the special expanding symbol. Expect longer periods without significant wins, broken up by the occasional large payout. This style suits those who are patient and have a budget that can handle some ups and downs.
Payout potential
The highest payout potential comes from the premium symbols. A line of five explorer symbols pays 5,000 times your line bet, which works out as 500 times the total stake when all 10 paylines are active. In Free Games, the chosen expanding symbol pays on all active lines regardless of position, so a full screen of the top explorer can deliver a single-spin win of up to 5,000x the total stake on widely available online versions. Retriggers award 10 extra free spins and can extend the round, although big wins remain rare by design. Operators may set win or stake limits that cap the maximum payout, so we always check the paytable and rules before playing.
Is Book of Ra Legal in the UK?
Legal framework
Book of Ra is legal to play in the UK when it is offered by an online casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Oversight is provided by the UKGC, which regulates all gambling activities in the country. If we access the game through a site listed on the official UKGC register, we are playing within UK law. Offshore casinos that target the UK without a UK licence are illegal for us to use.
What a legal offer includes
Licensed operators must follow UK rules for online slots. We will see strict age verification, clear game information, player limits, and safer gambling tools. The GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme and deposit limit systems are mandatory. Because of these regulations, the UK version of Book of Ra may differ from versions in other countries. Required changes include:
- Maximum stake of £2 per spin
- Minimum spin duration of 2.5 seconds
- No autoplay function
A reality check pop-up must also appear after 60 minutes of play. These protections are required by law.
Official provider and website
Book of Ra is developed by Novomatic via its interactive division, Greentube. In the UK, only certified variants of the game may appear at licensed casinos. There is no single official real money website for players. Greentube supplies the game to approved operators, not directly to us. If a site shows Book of Ra but has no UKGC approval, we avoid it even if the game looks authentic.
How we verify legality
Before playing, we can follow a few simple steps to confirm an online casino is operating legally in the UK:
- Check the register: Confirm the casino appears on the official register of licensed operators on the UKGC website.
- Review the website footer: A licensed operator displays its UKGC licence number and details clearly, usually in the footer.
- Look for mandatory systems: The site should link to responsible gambling tools, including information about GAMSTOP and deposit limits.
- Confirm English-language support: Customer support and the terms and conditions must be available in English.
If any of these checks fail, we do not register or deposit funds.
Book of Ra: Licensed and Secure
Official licensing in Germany
We only endorse the official online version of Book of Ra developed by Greentube, the interactive division of Novomatic. In Germany, the game is available only at operators licensed under the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021) and supervised by the national regulator, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).
- German licensing: An official casino appears on the GGL public whitelist. Licensed sites must display their licensing details, including the licence number, in the footer of the website.
- EU approvals: The Book of Ra game client also holds certifications in other respected jurisdictions such as Malta (MGA). These approvals mean regular independent audits and a consistent, compliant gaming environment across markets.
Data protection and payments
We recommend sites that apply strict security standards for personal data and transactions.
- Data encryption: All website communication uses modern TLS encryption to shield sensitive data from interception.
- Payment compliance: Payments run through gateways compliant with PCI DSS. For transactions in the UK and EU, Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2 is enforced.
- Account security: Two-factor authentication, device checks, and mandatory KYC help prevent unauthorised access and fraud. Personal data is processed in line with GDPR.
Fair play and player protection
Integrity and safety are backed by independent testing and the responsible gaming tools required by German law.
- RNG certification: The Random Number Generator is tested by labs such as eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs. Many casinos show these seals in the footer with links to valid certificates.
- German safety tools: Licensed sites connect to:
- OASIS: The national self-exclusion register covering all licensed operators.
- LUGAS: The cross-provider system that enforces the monthly deposit limit (for example, £850 per month).
- Panic Button: An instant control that starts a 24-hour cooling-off period.
Book of Ra: Tips and Strategies
Manage our bankroll
Book of Ra is a high volatility slot, so we should expect stretches without big wins. We start with a fixed budget and a clear session time limit. A simple rule is to size our bet at about 1% of the session bankroll. With a £100 budget, we place £1 per spin. That gives us around 100 spins, which helps us stay in the game long enough to catch the free spins feature without draining funds too quickly. We also set a stop-loss, for example stopping if we lose 50% of the budget, and define a realistic win goal. We stick to both to keep control.
Know the version we play
Book of Ra comes in several variations with different rules, paylines, and RTP. We always check the paytable before we spin. Popular options include:
- Book of Ra Classic: The original with 9 adjustable paylines and a classic setup.
- Book of Ra Deluxe: Updated visuals, 10 paylines, and a slightly higher RTP than Classic.
- Book of Ra Deluxe 6: An optional sixth reel that doubles the stake when activated and boosts potential for 6-of-a-kind wins.
Knowing whether paylines are fixed or adjustable helps us manage our cost per spin.
Target the free spins round
The main aim is to trigger free spins by landing three or more Book scatter symbols. We then get 10 free spins with a randomly chosen special expanding symbol. When it can form a win, this symbol expands to cover the entire reel and pays even on non-adjacent reels. The biggest wins usually come from this feature, so we pace our bets to survive until it lands.
Practice and avoid false systems
We try demo mode first to learn the game’s rhythm without risk. When playing for real, we use deposit limits and session reminders. We ignore myths about hot or cold machines and avoid systems like the Martingale. Each spin is independent and governed by an RNG, so such systems are ineffective and risky.