Quick Navigation
Book of Dead Slot Review
Play'n GO's Legendary Egyptian Adventure
Top Rated Casinos
Our Rating
Excellent - A Classic High-Volatility Slot
Book of Dead earns its legendary status with exciting expanding symbol mechanics, solid RTP, and the potential for massive wins. The high volatility means your bankroll can swing dramatically, but the free spins feature delivers genuine excitement.
Game Overview
Book of Dead, released by Play'n GO in 2014, has become one of the most iconic online slots ever created. Drawing heavy inspiration from the "Book of" genre (pioneered by Book of Ra), this Egyptian-themed adventure follows Rich Wilde on his quest for ancient treasures.
The game features a simple 5x3 grid with 10 paylines, but its magic lies in the free spins bonus where a randomly selected symbol expands to fill entire reels, creating opportunities for screen-filling wins. It's this potential for massive payouts that has made Book of Dead a staple at online casinos worldwide.
Theme & Design
The ancient Egyptian theme is executed beautifully with golden pharaohs, scarabs, and the mysterious Book of Dead itself. The graphics, while showing their 2014 origins, remain appealing with smooth animations and an atmospheric soundtrack that builds tension during big moments.
Slot Features
While Book of Dead keeps things relatively simple, its features deliver significant win potential:
Wild & Scatter Symbol (Book)
The Book of Dead serves as both Wild and Scatter. As a Wild, it substitutes for all symbols. As a Scatter, 3+ books trigger the free spins bonus. It also pays as a regular symbol (5x = 200x bet).
Free Spins (10 Spins)
Land 3+ Books anywhere to trigger 10 free spins. A special expanding symbol is randomly selected before the feature starts. This symbol can expand to fill entire reels during free spins.
Expanding Symbol
During free spins, if enough of the special symbol lands to form a win, it expands to cover entire reels BEFORE payouts are calculated. This can create multiple paylines simultaneously.
Retrigger
Landing 3+ Books during free spins adds another 10 free spins to your total. A new expanding symbol is chosen for the retriggered spins, meaning you can have multiple expanding symbols active.
Gamble Feature
After any win, you can gamble it with a 50/50 card game. Guess the right color to double your win, or the right suit to quadruple it. You can gamble up to 5 times per win.
Auto Play
Set up to 100 automatic spins with optional loss limits and single win limits. Useful for extended sessions but use responsibly.
Paytable & Symbols
Symbol payouts for a 5-of-a-kind combination (at max bet per line):
Volatility & Mathematics
Volatility Level: HIGH
What High Volatility Means
Book of Dead is classified as a high volatility slot. In practical terms:
- Fewer wins - You'll experience more losing spins than on low/medium volatility slots
- Bigger potential wins - When you do win, payouts can be substantial (up to 5000x)
- Bankroll swings - Your balance can drop significantly before a big win (or not recover at all)
- Free spins are key - Most significant wins come from the expanding symbol feature
RTP Analysis
| Metric | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical RTP | 96.21% | Above Average |
| Industry Average | ~96% | Benchmark |
| Hit Frequency | ~30% | Low (high volatility) |
| Max Win | 5,000x | Good for era |
| Free Spins Frequency | ~1 in 150 spins | Average |
How to Play Book of Dead
Set Your Bet
Adjust coin value and coins per line. With 10 fixed paylines, your total bet is: coin value × coins per line × 10. Bets range from $0.10 to $50 per spin.
Spin the Reels
Hit the spin button or use Auto Play for automatic spins. Wins pay left to right on active paylines, except Books which pay anywhere as Scatters.
Trigger Free Spins
Land 3 or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels. 3 Books = 10 free spins + 2x bet. Before free spins start, a random symbol is selected to become the expanding symbol.
Win with Expanding Symbols
During free spins, if enough of your special symbol lands to form any win, it expands to fill entire reels before paying. This is where the big wins happen.
Where to Play Book of Dead
Play Book of Dead at these safe, verified casinos:
LeoVegas Casino
8.5/10 SafeBitStarz Casino
8.8/10 SafePros & Cons
Pros
- Above-average RTP of 96.21%
- Exciting expanding symbol mechanic
- 5000x max win potential
- Simple, easy-to-understand gameplay
- Retriggerable free spins
- Available at most online casinos
- Iconic, proven game design
- Mobile-optimized
Cons
- High volatility (frequent dry spells)
- Only 10 paylines
- Base game wins are modest
- Graphics showing their age (2014)
- Some casinos reduce RTP
- No modern bonus features (bonus buys, etc.)
- Very similar to many "Book of" clones
- Can eat through bankroll quickly
Similar Slots You Might Like
If you enjoy Book of Dead, check out these alternatives:
| Slot | Provider | RTP | Max Win | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Deluxe | Novomatic | 95.10% | 5,000x | The original "Book of" slot |
| Legacy of Dead | Play'n GO | 96.58% | 5,000x | Direct sequel, sticky expanding symbols |
| Gonzo's Quest | NetEnt | 95.97% | 2,500x | Avalanche reels, multipliers |
| Eye of Horus | Blueprint | 95.02% | 10,000x | Egyptian theme, similar mechanics |
| Tome of Madness | Play'n GO | 96.59% | 2,000x | Rich Wilde series, cluster pays |
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
Our Assessment: 8.5/10
Book of Dead has earned its legendary status in the online slots world. While the graphics are showing their 2014 origins and the gameplay is simpler than modern releases, the core experience remains compelling. The expanding symbol mechanic during free spins delivers genuine excitement, and the 5000x max win provides meaningful upside potential.
The high volatility means this isn't a slot for everyone - you need patience and bankroll management to weather the dry spells. But for players who enjoy the thrill of chasing big wins and don't mind the variance, Book of Dead remains one of the best "Book of" style slots available.
Play it if: You enjoy high volatility, love Egyptian themes, and appreciate simple but exciting bonus mechanics. Skip it if: You prefer frequent small wins, want modern bonus features, or can't handle significant bankroll swings.
Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes only. Slots are games of chance with a built-in house edge. The RTP is theoretical and calculated over millions of spins - your actual results may vary significantly. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. 18+ only.
Affiliate Disclosure: CasinoAudits.com may receive compensation when you click links and play at casinos. This does not affect our slot ratings or recommendations.
Last updated: December 2026 | Review by CasinoAudits.com Editorial Team