Book Of Ra
What is Book of Ra?
Book of Ra is a five-reel slot from Novomatic, built around an Ancient Egypt theme. It first appeared in land-based casinos and arcades in 2005, then moved online, where it became one of the best-known slot titles in Germany and across Europe. Online, it’s distributed by Greentube, Novomatic’s interactive division.
The game is simple: you’re exploring an Egyptian tomb in search of a hidden book. There’s no complex storyline or flashy presentation. Its appeal comes from familiar symbols, a clear layout, and a format that many German players already know from Spielotheken or earlier online casinos.
That familiarity is a big part of why the game still matters. Book of Ra isn’t known for innovation, but for recognition. Novomatic has released several versions over the years, yet the original remains the reference point for the series.
| Book of Ra — Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Novomatic / Greentube |
| Release date | March 2005 |
| Reels × Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Paylines | 9 in Classic, 10 in Deluxe |
| RTP | 92.13% in Classic, 95.10% in Deluxe |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000× stake |
| Main bonus | 10 free spins with an expanding symbol |
| Gamble feature | Yes, on wins |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt / Adventure |
| Official website | booksof-ra.de |
How the game works
Book of Ra is played on a 5-reel, 9-payline layout. You can choose how many paylines to activate before each spin, and that changes both your stake and your chances of landing a win. Wins start from the left side of the reels and usually need matching symbols on an active line.
Symbols and payouts
The paytable is split between low- and high-value symbols. The card symbols — 10, J, Q, K and A — pay the least. The themed symbols, such as the scarab, pharaoh and explorer, pay more, with the explorer usually being the best regular symbol.
The Book symbol is the key to the game. It works as a wild, so it can stand in for other symbols, and as a scatter, so it can trigger the bonus even if it doesn’t land on a payline. Three Books also give a small scatter win, while more Books pay more.
Free games feature
Landing three or more Book symbols triggers 10 free spins. Before the feature starts, one symbol is chosen at random as the special expanding symbol. If it appears during the bonus, it expands across the whole reel and can help create bigger wins across multiple paylines.
The free spins round can be retriggered if three more Books land during the feature.
Gamble feature
After a win, you can choose to gamble it in a simple red-or-black card game. A correct guess doubles the win; a wrong guess loses it. You can usually gamble up to five times in a row, but it’s optional and you can collect at any point.
Book of Ra variants
The most common version online is Book of Ra Deluxe. It replaced the original classic in many lobbies and is the version most players in Germany will see first. Compared with the classic game, it has updated graphics, one extra payline, and a higher RTP.
| Variant | Reels | Paylines | RTP | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Classic | 5 | 9 | 92.13% | Original version |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | 5 | 10 | ~95.10% | Updated graphics and higher RTP |
| Book of Ra Deluxe 6 | 6 | 10 | ~95.03% | Optional sixth reel via Extra Bet |
| Book of Ra Magic | 5 | 10 | ~96% | Each retrigger can add another expanding symbol |
| Book of Ra Jackpot Edition | 5 | 10 | ~94.26% | Linked progressive jackpot |
Classic
The original 9-payline version is still available at some casinos, but it’s less common now. It keeps the same basic Book of Ra structure, just with older visuals and a lower RTP than Deluxe. Some players still look for it because it can have a lower minimum stake, depending on the operator.
Book of Ra Magic
Magic uses the same 10-payline setup as Deluxe, but the free spins round works differently. When the feature retriggers, it adds another expanding symbol, which can make the bonus round more volatile and more rewarding. It isn’t offered everywhere, and some German-licensed casinos don’t include it.
Other versions
Novomatic has also released Book of Ra Deluxe 6, Mystic Fortunes, and the Jackpot Edition. What’s available depends on the casino and the market. A German-licensed operator may only offer one or two versions, while international sites can have several.
Before choosing a version, check the paytable and RTP in the game info screen. These can vary a little from one release to another, and sometimes from one operator to another. The main gameplay stays the same across the range: you need three Book symbols to trigger free spins, and the expanding symbol is the key bonus feature.
Is Book of Ra legal in Germany?
Yes, but only if it’s offered by a casino licensed under the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag, or GlüStV). Since July 2021, real-money online slots in Germany may only be offered by operators licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).
Book of Ra itself isn’t the issue. It’s a standard Novomatic slot, but the version you see at a German-licensed casino must follow local rules. In practice, that usually means a maximum stake of €1 per spin, a five-second pause between spins, no autoplay, and no progressive jackpots. Because of that, some versions, including Jackpot Edition, may not be available from GGL-licensed operators.
The key point is the operator, not just the game. If a casino doesn’t hold a valid GGL licence, it isn’t operating within the German legal framework, even if it lists familiar slot titles. Before depositing, check the licence status directly on the GGL website rather than relying on a homepage logo or a third-party list.
Where can German players play it?
Book of Ra is available at some online casinos with a German interstate gambling licence (GGL) that include Novomatic or Greentube games in their lobby. It’s not guaranteed everywhere, though: availability depends on the operator’s agreements, so one licensed casino may offer it while another does not.
Where to look
The easiest place to find it is usually a Novomatic or Greentube section within a larger licensed casino. Some sites group the Book of Ra versions together, while others list them separately alongside other slots from the same provider.
If you can’t see it right away, use the site search and try Book of Ra, or filter by provider name. Game libraries change from time to time, so it’s worth checking that the slot is actually live before you deposit with this game in mind.
Deposit and payout methods
German players usually have a good mix of local and international payment options at licensed online casinos, but speed and availability depend on the method. One important point: GGL-licensed operators apply a default monthly deposit limit of €1,000 across accounts. For Book of Ra, the main question is usually how quickly you can pay in and cash out.
| Method | Deposit speed | Withdrawal speed | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Instant | Up to 24 hours | Usually none | Fast and widely available at German-licensed casinos. |
| Klarna (Sofortüberweisung) | Instant | Not available | None | Deposit only, so you’ll need another method to withdraw. |
| Bank transfer (SEPA) | 1–3 business days | 2–5 business days | Varies by bank | Reliable, but slower than e-wallets and card payments. |
| Visa / Mastercard (debit) | Instant | 1–5 business days | Rare | Debit cards work; credit card deposits are blocked for gambling in Germany. |
| Trustly | Instant | 1–3 business days | None | Direct bank transfer through online banking. |
| Paysafecard | Instant | Not available | None | Prepaid voucher with no bank details needed, but it can’t be used for cashouts. |
Approval friction
Most casinos will ask for identity verification before the first withdrawal. That usually means uploading an ID document and proof of address, and it can add a day or two to the first payout. Later withdrawals are often quicker once the account is verified.
If you use a deposit-only method such as Klarna or Paysafecard, the casino will ask you to choose a separate withdrawal method. It’s worth setting that up early so cashouts don’t get delayed later.
Bonuses and offer terms
Whether Book of Ra is included in a welcome bonus or counts fully toward wagering depends on the operator. In many casinos, slot games count at 100%, but some brands exclude certain titles or limit how much Novomatic games contribute. Always check the bonus terms before you deposit.
What to look for
Free spins on Book of Ra do appear from time to time, usually as part of a welcome offer or a short promotion. They are not always available. If you see them, check the spin value, maximum win, deposit requirement, and expiry time, because some free spin offers must be used within 24 hours.
Wagering requirements
At German-licensed casinos, the €1 stake limit applies whether you’re playing with bonus money or your own funds. Wagering requirements are often around 30x to 40x the bonus amount. So a €50 bonus with 35x wagering would require €1,750 in bets before any withdrawal is allowed.
Eligibility rules can also differ. Some bonuses are only for new players, while others exclude certain payment methods such as Paysafecard or Trustly. Check both the game rules and the payment terms before you opt in.
Can you play Book of Ra on mobile?
Yes. Book of Ra runs in the browser on both Android and iPhone, so there’s no app to download. The mobile version keeps the main features of the desktop game, including free spins and the gamble feature. At GGL-licensed casinos, autoplay isn’t available because of German rules, so each spin has to be started manually.
The game adapts well to smaller screens. On phones, it usually switches to portrait mode and places the controls near the bottom of the display. Tablets feel closer to the desktop layout.
What works well
The spin button is easy to reach, and the game is light enough to load quickly on a decent connection. Bet settings and the paytable are tucked into a simple menu, which keeps the screen uncluttered.
Where it feels different
The rules and paytable are harder to read on a small screen, so you may need to zoom in or scroll a bit. Audio can also depend on your browser and phone settings, since some mobile browsers keep sound muted until you interact with the page.
If you’re using mobile data, the game should still run normally. A short connection drop may freeze the round briefly, but the result is processed server-side and the spin will continue once the connection is back.
Smart tips before you spin
Book of Ra is a high-volatility slot, so wins can be separated by long dry spells. Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Don’t raise your stake to chase losses.
If you’re new to the game, try the demo first. It shows how the free spins trigger and how the game plays, without costing anything. That’s the easiest way to see whether the pace suits you.
Keep your stake in line with your bankroll. A simple rule is to budget for at least 100 spins at your chosen stake. On a volatile slot like this, smaller bets usually give you more room to play while you wait for the bonus round.
- Use the gamble feature carefully. It can double a win, but one wrong guess loses it. If the payout already feels decent, collecting it is the safer option.
- Play all paylines. Cutting paylines lowers the cost of each spin, but it also removes winning combinations.
- Know the German rules. In GGL-licensed casinos, you’re limited to €1 per spin, with a five-second pause between spins and a €1,000 monthly deposit cap across licensed operators.