Book of Dead Slot Review & Where to Play (2026)
Journey through ancient Egypt with Rich Wilde. The expanding symbol mechanic in free spins can fill entire reels.
Book of Dead Rating
How this Play'n GO slot scores across six gameplay categories
The expanding symbol in free spins is simple but delivers incredible full-screen wins
96.21% RTP is solid; base game is volatile with infrequent wins
Rich Wilde is an iconic character; the tomb aesthetic holds up well
Classic layout with Play'n GO's polished control scheme
Lower ceiling than Pragmatic Play titles; fine for most players
5,000x feels achievable thanks to the expanding symbol mechanic
Expert Verdict
Book of Dead is the gold standard of the "Book" slot genre. Originally inspired by Novomatic's Book of Ra, Play'n GO took the concept, refined it with better visuals and sound, and created one of the most enduring slots in online casino history. After nearly a decade, it remains a fixture in every major casino's library.
The genius of Book of Dead lies in its simplicity. There's essentially one bonus feature — free spins with an expanding symbol — and it's all you need. When the right high-paying symbol is selected to expand, a single free spin can fill the entire screen with that symbol across all 10 paylines. It's one of the most satisfying visual payoffs in all of slots.
The downside is that without a Buy Feature, you're entirely at the mercy of the RNG to trigger free spins. The base game can feel bare-bones compared to modern feature-laden slots. But Book of Dead's staying power proves that tight mechanics and a well-executed theme trump feature bloat every time.
What We Like
- + Expanding symbol in free spins creates spectacular full-screen wins
- + Iconic Rich Wilde character and polished Egyptian tomb aesthetic
- + Simple mechanics make it accessible while offering deep strategic bet management
- + Proven track record — one of the most played slots in online casino history
What Could Be Better
- - No Buy Feature forces you to wait for natural free spins triggers
- - Base game can feel repetitive without cascade or tumble mechanics
- - 96.21% RTP is slightly lower than the top Pragmatic Play offerings
Where to Play Book of Dead
Licensed US casinos featuring this slot with the best welcome bonuses
Ignition
BetOnline
BetOnline
All Star Slots
All Star Slots
Super Slots
Book of Dead Bonus Features
Book Symbol (Wild & Scatter)
The Book of Dead acts as both the Wild and Scatter symbol. As a Wild, it substitutes for all other symbols. As a Scatter, landing 3 or more triggers free spins. This dual function is efficient and elegant.
Expanding Symbol
Before free spins begin, one symbol is randomly selected to become the special expanding symbol. When it appears on a reel, it expands to cover all 3 rows. If the expanding symbol fills enough reels, it pays across all active paylines simultaneously.
Free Spins
Land 3+ Book Scatters to trigger 10 free spins. The expanding symbol mechanic is active throughout. Retrigger with 3+ Books during the round for 10 additional spins. The expanding symbol can change on a retrigger.
Gamble Feature
After any base game win, you can gamble your payout in a card-guess minigame. Choose red/black for a 50/50 double or guess the suit for a 4x multiplier. A losing guess forfeits your win entirely.
Feature Summary
Book of Dead RTP & Volatility
Understanding the mathematics behind this slot
At 96.21% RTP, Book of Dead sits just above the industry baseline. It's slightly lower than Pragmatic Play's flagship slots (Gates of Olympus at 96.5%, Sweet Bonanza at 96.48%) but remains a fair game. Play'n GO has maintained this RTP consistently since launch.
The high volatility means the game follows a feast-or-famine pattern. Base game wins are infrequent and often small, with the real payoff reserved for free spins rounds where the expanding symbol lands favorably. Budget accordingly — 300+ spins is a reasonable session bankroll.
The 5,000x max win is achievable through the expanding symbol mechanic. When a premium symbol (Rich Wilde or Osiris) is selected and fills 3+ reels during free spins, the payout across all 10 paylines can approach the cap. At $100 max bet, the theoretical maximum is $500,000.
Graphics, Sound & Mobile Play
Play'n GO's art team delivered a richly detailed Egyptian tomb environment. The background features ornate hieroglyphics, golden pillars, and flickering torchlight. Rich Wilde himself is animated with personality — he's the Indiana Jones of the slot world. Symbols include pharaoh masks, Anubis, Osiris, and classic card royals rendered in an Egyptian style.
The sound design is atmospheric with a suspenseful tomb-exploring soundtrack. Free spins trigger with a dramatic fanfare, and the expanding symbol animation — where the chosen symbol spreads across the entire reel — is one of the most visually satisfying moments in slots. Despite being released in 2016, the visuals hold up remarkably well.
Game Layout & Controls
The 5x3 grid with 10 paylines is a classic format that Book of Dead executes flawlessly. Payline indicators are clearly visible, and the grid leaves ample room for the expanding symbol animation without feeling cluttered. Play'n GO's interface is clean and professional.
Controls are intuitive with a straightforward bet selector, spin button, and easily accessible Autoplay and Turbo settings. The Gamble button appears after wins. Mobile optimization is strong — Play'n GO was one of the early adopters of mobile-first slot design, and it shows.
Book of Dead FAQ
Common questions answered
What is the RTP of Book of Dead?
How does the expanding symbol work?
What is the maximum win in Book of Dead?
Is Book of Dead similar to Book of Ra?
Can I play Book of Dead for free?
Does Book of Dead have a buy feature?
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