Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is Novomatic's Egyptian-themed slot and one of the most recognised titles in Italian online casinos. The original land-based game dates to 2005, with the online version following in 2008 through Novomatic's digital arm, Greentube.
The premise follows an explorer venturing into ancient tombs in search of hidden riches — pyramids, pharaohs, scarabs, and the Book symbol itself. Its long lifespan is a big reason it still shows up so often in Italian casino lobbies today.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release | 2005 (land-based); 2008 (online) |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows, 9 adjustable paylines |
| Main bonus | 10 free spins triggered by 3 or more Book symbols, with one random expanding symbol |
| Top advertised win | Up to 5,000× stake (classic version) |
| RTP | Classic: commonly listed at 92.13%; Deluxe: around 95.03%–95.10%. Italian operator figures may differ. |
How the Base Game Works
Book of Ra Classic uses a five-reel, three-row layout with nine adjustable paylines. You can choose how many lines to activate before each spin — fewer lines lower your total stake but also reduce the number of winning combinations in play. Book of Ra Deluxe keeps the same setup but adds a tenth payline.
Bet Sizing
Your total stake is the bet per line multiplied by the number of active lines. Exact minimum and maximum limits vary by casino and by which version you're playing. Italian ADM sites may also apply operator-specific limits, so it's worth checking the game's paytable before you start.
The Gamble Feature
After any win, you can try to double it with a simple red-or-black card guess. Get it right and your win doubles; get it wrong and you lose it. You can usually repeat this up to five times in a row, though the exact limit depends on the operator's rules.
Free Spins and Expanding Symbols
Three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels trigger ten free spins. The Book itself acts as both wild and scatter. Landing 3, 4, or 5 Books on a spin pays 2×, 20×, or 200× your total bet respectively.
How the expanding symbol works
Before the free spins start, one symbol is picked at random to become the expanding symbol for the entire round. When that symbol appears as part of a win, it expands to fill the whole reel.
During the bonus, the chosen symbol pays differently from normal: it doesn't need to land in strict left-to-right order. Premium picture symbols can pay from just two matching symbols, while card royals still need at least three. If you land three more Books during the round, you retrigger another ten free spins.
Understanding the Symbols and Payouts
Book of Ra uses a straightforward symbol hierarchy split between low-paying card royals and high-paying thematic icons. Knowing which symbols matter most helps you read the paytable without guesswork.
Low-Paying Symbols
The bottom tier consists of standard card values: 10, J, Q, K, and A. These appear frequently but pay modest amounts, and you need at least three on an active payline to win anything.
High-Paying Symbols
The thematic symbols are where the real value sits. In ascending order: Scarab, Statue, Pharaoh, and Explorer. Unlike the card royals, these can pay from just two matching symbols, which makes them far more important during both base play and the bonus round.
How Payouts Scale
Paytable values are multipliers of your line bet, not your total stake. Five Explorers can pay up to 5,000× the line bet — so €0.10 per line returns €500, while €1.00 per line returns €5,000.
The Book symbol acts as both wild and scatter, so it sits outside the standard hierarchy. For paytable purposes, focus on the five card royals and the four premium icons above.
RTP and Volatility Explained
Book of Ra is a medium-high to high-volatility slot. Wins can be patchy in regular play, and the bonus round carries most of the game's earning potential. If you're used to lower-volatility slots, the session rhythm here can feel noticeably harsher.
The most commonly quoted RTP for Book of Ra Classic is 92.13%. For Book of Ra Deluxe, the standard figure is around 95.03–95.10%, though this varies by source. On Italian sites, published figures can differ further, as operators may display their own game data or monthly return reports rather than a single headline number. Check the game rules or the casino's RTP page before you play.
Classic vs. Deluxe Versions
The original Book of Ra runs on 9 paylines. Book of Ra Deluxe moves to 10 paylines and brings cleaner graphics and a more modern interface. On most Italian ADM sites, Deluxe is the version you'll encounter first, though Classic is still available at some operators.
What Changed in the Deluxe Version
The main change is the extra payline. That slightly adjusts the bet structure per spin, but the core game stays the same: Egyptian theme, Book wild/scatter, ten free spins, and one expanding symbol in the bonus round.
Other Versions Worth Knowing
| Version | Paylines | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | 9 | Original release, simpler graphics. |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | 10 | Visual upgrade, extra payline. |
| Book of Ra Magic | 10 | Retriggers can add up to 9 expanding symbols during free spins. |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | 10 | Optional 6th reel activated with an extra bet. |
Magic changes the bonus round most noticeably — retriggers keep adding new expanding symbols rather than leaving you with just one for the entire feature. Deluxe 6 stays closer to the classic formula but lets you extend the setup by paying to activate a sixth reel.
Classic is stripped back and fast. Deluxe is the standard online pick. Magic and Deluxe 6 add extra layers without losing the series identity. Not every version appears at every Italian operator, so it's worth checking the lobby before you register.
Trying the Free Demo
The demo version of Book of Ra lets you experience the base game, the free spins round, and the expanding-symbol mechanic without spending real money. On licensed sites, the demo usually mirrors the same reel layout and bonus rules as the paid version, though stake displays and RTP information can vary by casino.
It's worth using. Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot, and the demo is the quickest way to see how long dry spells can run and how much the session depends on hitting the free-spins round. You'll also get a feel for the pace before risking real money.
Several Italian casinos offer a free-play option directly on the game page — StarVegas, StarCasinò, and Sisal all show a visible demo or "Prova" mode on their Book of Ra pages.
Demo play won't give you any strategic edge, since outcomes are always random. But it's useful for getting comfortable with payline selection, stake sizing, and how the bonus round actually plays out.
Account Verification and the KYC Process
Before an Italian casino account is fully activated — and certainly before any withdrawal is processed — you'll need to complete identity verification, known as KYC. This is a standard requirement under the ADM framework for remote gaming.
Most operators will ask for a valid government-issued ID and your codice fiscale. Depending on the casino, you may also need to provide proof of address and confirmation that the payment method you're using belongs to you.
It's worth submitting your documents shortly after registration rather than waiting until you want to withdraw. It saves time later.
Popular Crash Game Alternatives
If the spin-and-wait rhythm of traditional slots doesn't appeal to you, crash games offer a different format entirely. Titles like Spaceman by Pragmatic Play replace reels and paylines with a multiplier that rises from 1x until the round crashes — and you decide when to cash out.
The core difference is timing. Book of Ra resolves automatically once you press spin. Crash games demand a live decision: hold for a higher multiplier or exit before the crash. There's no free-spins round to build towards, no expanding symbols, no payline settings.
Whether that's more or less appealing than a structured slot mechanic depends entirely on what you're looking for.
Where to Play Safely in Italy
Any casino offering Book of Ra for real money in Italy should hold an ADM remote-gaming concession. The ADM maintains a public list of authorised operators and actively blocks unlicensed sites targeting Italian players.
Not every ADM-licensed casino carries Novomatic titles, so if Book of Ra is what you're looking for, check the game library before signing up. At the time of review, the following operators visibly listed Book of Ra titles:
| Casino | Book of Ra titles available | Demo available |
|---|---|---|
| StarVegas | Book of Ra Deluxe and multiple series variants | Yes |
| StarCasinò | Book of Ra Classic, Deluxe, and Deluxe 6 | Yes |
| Sisal | Book of Ra Deluxe, Deluxe 6, and Deluxe 10 | Yes |
What to Look For
- An ADM concession reference in the footer (sometimes shown as a GAD number)
- Novomatic or Greentube listed among the game providers
- Clear terms on bonuses, withdrawals, and account verification
- Payment methods common in Italy, such as cards, PayPal, and bank transfer
Avoid offshore casinos that accept Italian players without ADM authorisation. If something goes wrong at an unlicensed site, you have no recourse through the Italian regulatory framework. Licensed operators are also required to offer responsible-gaming tools, and ADM runs the Registro Unico Autoesclusioni for players who want to self-exclude from remote gambling.