What Is Book of Ra

Book of Ra puts you in the middle of an Egyptian treasure hunt. Built by Novomatic, this classic 5-reel, 9-payline slot follows an explorer through tombs and pyramids. You’ll see scarabs, pharaohs, and the Book of Ra symbol that drives the action. The setup is simple, the stakes can rise fast, and that mix is why the game still draws players across Canada.

Book of Ra Classic Game Details
Game Provider Novomatic (Greentube)
Reels 5
Paylines 9 (Adjustable)
RTP 92.13%
Volatility High
Maximum Win 5,000x your stake
Key Features Free Spins with Expanding Symbol, Wild/Scatter Symbol, Gamble Feature

Core gameplay

You choose how many of the 9 paylines to activate, from 1 up to all 9. Wins land when matching symbols line up on your active lines. Most symbols pay from three of a kind, but the Explorer pays from just two. After any win, you can use the Gamble feature, a red-or-black pick that can double your payout. The Book of Ra symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter, filling in wins and unlocking the bonus.

Why it stands out

The Free Spins round is the hook. Hit three or more Books to trigger 10 free games. Before they start, one regular symbol is randomly picked to become a special expanding symbol. When it forms a win, it expands to cover its reels and pays on all active lines, no matter where it sits. With high volatility and a top potential of 5,000x your stake, Book of Ra delivers classic slot play with real punch. It has stayed a favourite at Canadian online casinos for well over a decade, appealing to new and seasoned players alike.

How to Play Book of Ra

You play Book of Ra across 5 reels and up to 9 paylines. The setup is quick, and the core mechanics are easy to grasp once you know where to look.

Set your bet

Use the Lines button to choose how many paylines you want active, from 1 to 9. Then set your stake per line with the + and − controls, typically from 0.01 to 5.00 credits. Your total bet per spin equals stake per line multiplied by active lines.

Spin the reels

Hit Start or Spin for a single round. If you prefer hands‑off play, turn on Autoplay. It will run the reels for a set number of spins or stop when a feature triggers.

Form wins and read the paytable

Wins land on active paylines from the leftmost reel. You need at least two matching high‑value symbols or three matching low‑value symbols for a payout. Open the Paytable to see every symbol value and line pattern before you spin.

Know your symbols

The golden Book of Ra is the key symbol. It acts as a Wild, substituting for all others to complete wins, and as a Scatter.

  • High‑value: Explorer pays the most, then Pharaoh, Statue of Nut, and Scarab Beetle
  • Low‑value: A, K, Q, J, 10

Trigger free spins

Land three or more Book of Ra Scatters anywhere in a single spin to unlock 10 free spins. Before they start, one symbol is randomly chosen as a special expanding symbol for the whole round. When it expands, it can cover entire reels and create larger wins.

Use the Gamble feature

After any win, you can gamble your prize. Guess the next card colour, red or black. A correct pick doubles your winnings; a wrong one loses them. You can usually gamble up to five consecutive times.

Book of Ra Deluxe

You get a refined take on the classic with Book of Ra Deluxe by Novomatic. The theme stays the same Egyptian tomb hunt, but the package is sharper. Graphics look cleaner, animations run smoother, and the sound has more depth. The core feel is intact while the presentation and flow step up.

What’s new in Deluxe

The upgrades boost how the game looks and how it pays, without changing the identity you know.

  • Paylines: You move from 9 to 10 adjustable paylines, giving you one extra way to connect wins.
  • Graphics and audio: Higher resolution visuals with richer colours and more detailed symbols, plus fuller sound for a stronger atmosphere.
  • RTP: The Return to Player rises from about 92.13% to 95.10% in Deluxe.
  • Betting range: Limits vary by casino in Canada, but you can typically bet from C$0.10 (C$0.01 on all 10 lines) up to C$50 or more per spin.

Gameplay feel

Symbols look crisper yet keep their original values. The explorer still tops the paytable with up to 5,000x your line bet. The Book of Ra symbol keeps its dual role as Wild and Scatter, so it can substitute and also trigger 10 free spins with a special expanding symbol when three or more land.

You’ll notice the interface reacts faster. Autoplay feels smoother, and the paytable is easier to read on desktop and mobile. With the higher 95.10% RTP and that extra payline, your theoretical return improves over the classic while the style stays familiar. Volatility remains high, so outcomes can swing. If you like added risk, the Gamble feature is still here, letting you stake a win on a 50/50 card colour guess to double it

Special Features and Bonus Rounds

Book of Ra builds its bonus action around the Book symbol. It pulls double duty as both Wild and Scatter. As a Wild, it steps in for any other icon to complete a win. As a Scatter, it’s your ticket into the most valuable part of the game.

Free spins and expanding symbol

You trigger the Free Spins when three or more Book scatters land anywhere on the reels. You receive 10 free spins and an instant scatter payout tied to your total stake:

  • 3 Scatter Symbols: 10 free spins + 2x your total stake
  • 4 Scatter Symbols: 10 free spins + 20x your total stake
  • 5 Scatter Symbols: 10 free spins + 200x your total stake

Before the round starts, the game randomly picks one paytable symbol to act as a special expanding symbol. During the bonus, if enough of that symbol lands to create a potential win, it expands vertically to cover its reels. These wins pay like scatters, so the symbols don’t need to sit on adjacent reels to count. Land another set of three or more Books during the feature and you retrigger 10 extra free spins, keeping the pace going.

Gamble feature

After any base game win, you can try the Gamble for a shot at more. It’s a classic double or nothing pick. Guess the colour of a face-down card, red or black. A correct guess doubles your winnings from that spin. You can typically repeat this up to five times in a row, building your payout step by step. Miss the colour at any point and you lose the amount you put at risk in that gamble round

Novomatic: The Game Provider Behind Book of Ra

Company background

You’re looking at an Austrian gaming powerhouse. Novomatic was founded in 1980 by billionaire industrialist Professor Johann Graf and has grown into a global group with locations in over 50 countries and more than 21,000 employees worldwide. The company works across every segment of the industry. Novomatic designs and builds high tech gaming equipment for land based casinos and also operates both electronic and traditional casino venues. You’ll find its cabinets and titles on casino floors across Europe and North America, including many properties Canadians visit.

Reputation and innovation

When you load a Novomatic slot, you’re playing a brand known for reliability and innovation. Many of its classics favour high volatility and simple mechanics, but the studio’s standout leap was the “Book of” system first seen in Book of Ra. In this setup, a single symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter, triggering free spins with a special expanding symbol during the bonus. That idea has been copied by countless developers since. Online, Novomatic’s presence is handled by its subsidiary Greentube, which adapts land based hits for fair, regulated digital play so you get the same tested math models on the web. The focus stays on quality and proven, player tested mechanics.

Slots Canadians know

  • Sizzling Hot Deluxe: A modern take on a fruit machine with fast action and straightforward play without complex bonus rounds.
  • Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe: A luck themed slot whose headline feature is a free spins round where all wins are multiplied 3x.
  • Dolphin’s Pearl Deluxe: An underwater search for treasure featuring free spins with a 3x win multiplier.
  • Lord of the Ocean: A Greek mythology, high volatility slot whose bonus mirrors Book of Ra with 10 free spins and a special expanding symbol.

RTP and Winning Potential

Return to Player

If you play the original Book of Ra Classic, you’re looking at a Return to Player (RTP) of 92.13%. That sits below the current online slot average of about 96%. RTP is a long‑term, theoretical model based on millions of spins, so a single session in Canada or anywhere else can swing high or low. Your results will vary from session to session. If you prefer a closer match to the market average, Book of Ra Deluxe offers a more competitive 95.10% RTP.

Volatility and Hit Frequency

Book of Ra is a high volatility slot. Wins can be less frequent, but when they arrive, they can be sizable, especially in the bonus round. Expect dry spells and then bursts of action. The hit frequency is approximately 27.8%, which means a win lands on average once every 3.6 spins. Treat that as a guide, not a promise of steady payouts.

Maximum Win Potential

The top potential win is 5,000x your total stake. You can reach this during the Free Spins feature when the Explorer becomes the special expanding symbol and covers all 15 positions on the reels. That setup can turn one spin into a major payout. In the base game, the Explorer is also the highest‑paying symbol, awarding 5,000x your line bet for five on a payline. The Pharaoh follows with 2,000x your line bet for five of a kind. The Statue and the Scarab Beetle each pay up to 750x your line bet for five on a payline. These values set clear targets as you chase the feature and manage your expectations session by session.

Play Book of Ra for Free

Find a demo in Canada

You can play Book of Ra free at many online casinos in Canada, often without opening an account. Look for a Play for Fun or Demo button on the game tile for instant access. You’ll also find free versions on reputable game review sites and on the official Novomatic (Greentube) website, where the studio showcases its portfolio.

What free play includes

The demo mirrors the real money version in mechanics and features. You start with a large stack of virtual credits, typically 5,000 or more, so you can spin without risk. If you run out, refresh the game to reset your balance. Every feature works the same, including the free spins bonus round and the special expanding symbol. The Return to Player, volatility, and paytable match the cash game, giving you an authentic experience without financial risk.

Why try the demo first

Free play helps you get ready for real money while keeping your budget safe. Use it to learn how the slot behaves and what affects your results over time.

  • Understand the gameplay: Study the paytable, symbol values, and how wins form across the paylines.
  • Feel the volatility: Get a real sense of the game’s high volatility, how often wins land, and how bonus rounds trigger.
  • Test betting ideas: Try different stake sizes to see how they move your virtual balance and build a staking plan you like.
  • Master the bonus: Learn how the free spins round and the expanding symbol work, since that’s where much of the potential lies.

When you’re comfortable with the flow and features, you’ll be better placed to decide if Book of Ra suits your style

Where to Play Book of Ra in Canada

Find Licensed Canadian Casinos

You can play Book of Ra at online casinos that accept Canadian players, but rules differ by province. If you’re in Ontario, the site must be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). In other provinces, choose casinos licensed by a trusted international regulator such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These approvals signal strict oversight, fair gaming, and solid player protection. To confirm the game is available, browse the casino’s library and look for titles from Novomatic or its interactive arm, Greentube.

Banking for Canadian Players

Pick casinos that let you deposit and withdraw in Canadian Dollars to avoid conversion fees. Most reputable sites support major credit cards, Interac e-Transfer, and popular e-wallets like iDebit, Instadebit, and Skrill. Some also accept cryptocurrency deposits if that’s your preference. Before you register, check the withdrawal timelines and any fees so you know what to expect.

Welcome Bonuses and Promotions

Many Canadian casinos offer welcome packages you can use on Book of Ra, often as deposit matches or free spins. Read the terms closely. Bonuses usually come with wagering requirements or game restrictions. For example, a 35x wagering requirement on a C$100 bonus means you must wager C$3,500 before you can withdraw. Look for reasonable playthrough terms and confirm that Book of Ra is eligible for bonus play.

Quick Checklist

  • Licensing: AGCO for Ontario, or a reputable body like the MGA elsewhere.
  • Game access: Library includes Novomatic or Greentube titles.
  • Payments: CAD support with convenient options like Interac or iDebit.
  • Bonus rules: Fair wagering, typically 30–40x, and Book of Ra included.
  • Mobile: Smooth play in a browser or a dedicated app.

Book of Ra Versions and Sequels

The Book of Ra franchise stretches well beyond the original. You get several takes on the same Egyptian quest, each adding its own mechanic while keeping the familiar rhythm.

Book of Ra Magic

Book of Ra Magic runs on a 5 reel, 10 payline layout with sharper visuals and a moodier soundtrack. The base play feels the same, but the Free Games round is the hook. Retriggering free spins selects an extra special expanding symbol each time. You can hold up to nine expanding symbols at once, giving the bonus round serious win potential.

Book of Ra 6

Book of Ra 6 turns up the tension with an optional sixth reel via the Extra Bet. Lines stay at 10. Activating that reel doubles your stake yet boosts the chance of larger combos and a higher max payout. The effect is most obvious in free spins when the expanding symbol lands across more positions.

Other notable variants

You also have several sequels that tweak the formula in different ways.

  • Book of Ra: Temple of Gold: Features a female adventurer and lets you play with up to three special expanding symbols in free spins.
  • Book of Ra: Mystic Fortunes: Adds a four level progressive jackpot, won in a bonus game you trigger by collecting coin symbols.
  • Cash Connection: Book of Ra: Pairs the classic theme with a Lock & Spin feature. Collect coin symbols to take cash prizes or one of two major jackpots.
  • Book of Ra Deluxe 10: Uses two reel sets a 5x4 and a 5x12 for 100 paylines. Wilds can transfer from the main set to the colossal reels.

Each version stays close to the book and explorer theme while letting you chase wins in a slightly different way