⭐ Book of Dead Slot Review — South African Casino Guide

Introduction — What Is Book of Dead?

Book of Dead is arguably the most famous and influential online slot from Play’n GO, released in January 2016. It is a modern classic, building upon the “Book of” mechanic pioneered by Novomatic’s Book of Ra, but elevating the graphics, sound design, and player experience. The game is centered around the adventurer Rich Wilde as he explores an ancient Egyptian tomb in search of legendary artifacts.

The core appeal of Book of Dead lies in its perfect blend of simple mechanics (5×3, 10 paylines) and high-stakes volatility. It operates as the quintessential high volatility slot, designed to create massive excitement through its single, powerful bonus feature: the Free Spins round with the special Expanding Symbol. Its canonical RTP of 96.21% and its acceptance of ZAR deposits have made it a cornerstone title in South African online casinos for players who seek high-risk, high-reward online gambling.

Key Features

The primary feature of Book of Dead is the dual-purpose “Book” symbol, which acts as both the Wild and the Scatter, unlocking the potential for the 5,000x max win.

RTP (Return to Player)

The theoretical RTP (Return to Player) for Book of Dead is typically 96.21%. This is considered a strong, above-average figure for an online slot, establishing it as a highly competitive high RTP slot. However, players must exercise caution: Play’n GO offers multiple RTP versions (e.g., 94.25%, 91.25%, 87.25%, and 84.18%). South African players should always check the game’s paytable at their chosen ZA casino sites to confirm the RTP setting they are playing with.

Volatility

Book of Dead is classified at the top end of the scale as a High volatility slot (5 out of 5). This high variance means the payout frequency can be low, resulting in periods of “dry spins.” However, when the bonus hits, the potential for huge wins is immense, driven by the Expanding Symbol which can lead to the maximum payout of 5,000x the stake in a single spin.

Reels & Paylines

The online slot uses a traditional 5-reel, 3-row grid. It features 10 adjustable paylines, meaning players can choose to bet on 1, 3, 5, 7, or all 10 lines. It is generally recommended to play with all 10 lines active to maximize the potential of the bonus round.

Max Win

The ultimate prize in Book of Dead is a maximum win of 5,000x the total stake. This massive payout is achieved when the highest-paying symbol, the explorer Rich Wilde, is chosen as the Expanding Symbol during the Free Spins round and appears on all five reels, filling the entire screen.

Bonus Features

The entire game dynamic revolves around the function of the Book symbol.

Wilds / Scatters (The Book Symbol)

• Book of Dead Symbol: This golden book serves a critical dual function:
  • Wild: It substitutes for all other paying symbols to help complete winning combinations.
  • Scatter: Landing three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the main Free Spins bonus round.
• Scatter Payout: Landing 3, 4, or 5 Book Scatters also awards an immediate payout of 2x, 20x, or 200x the total stake, respectively.

Free Spins & Expanding Symbol

The Free Spins feature is the heart of the game:

1. Trigger: Land 3 or more Book Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid to instantly win 10 free spins.
2. Expanding Symbol Selection: Before the round begins, one standard symbol is randomly selected to become the Special Expanding Symbol for the duration of the feature.
3. Expansion Mechanic: If the chosen Expanding Symbol lands on the reels and a win is possible, the symbol will automatically expand to cover the entire reel. Crucially, these expanded symbols do not need to be adjacent to form a win; they only need to land on active paylines.
4. Retrigger: Landing 3 or more Book Scatters during the bonus round will award an additional 10 free spins, with the possibility of unlimited retriggers.

Gamble Feature

After any base game win, players are offered an optional Gamble Feature. This is a mini ‘double-or-nothing’ game where players can:

• Double their winnings by correctly guessing the colour (Red or Black) of a face-down card (50/50 chance).
• Quadruple their winnings by correctly guessing the suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, or Spades) of the card (25% chance).
• Caution: Guessing incorrectly results in the loss of the original win.

Progressive Jackpots

Book of Dead does not feature a progressive jackpot. Its payout potential is focused entirely on the fixed maximum win of 5,000x the stake, achieved when the highest-paying symbol expands across all five reels during the Free Spins bonus.

Bonus Features Explained

The strategy in Book of Dead centers entirely on the Free Spins bonus:

• High-Value Expanding Symbol: The potential for the maximum 5,000x payout is highest if the Rich Wilde symbol is selected as the Expanding Symbol. If all five reels are covered by the expanding Rich Wilde symbol in the bonus, the result is the jackpot.
• Non-Adjacent Payouts: The fact that expanded symbols pay across the reels without needing to be adjacent is what creates the huge win potential. For example, getting the Rich Wilde symbol on reels 1, 3, and 5 is enough to pay a 5-of-a-kind win.

How to Trigger the Bonus Round

Triggering the Free Spins bonus feature in the Book of Dead slot is simple:

1. Land Scatters: Land three or more Book symbols anywhere on the 5×3 grid.
2. Symbol Selection: The game automatically selects the Special Expanding Symbol.
3. Start Bonus: You are instantly awarded 10 free spins, where the chosen symbol can fill reels and generate large big win potential payouts.

Mobile Compatibility

Book of Dead is a fully modern and highly optimized mobile slot experience.

• Performance on Android / iOS: Developed using HTML5 technology, the game runs flawlessly on both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. The clear, detailed graphics and smooth animations make for an excellent experience on the go.
• Mobile Interface: The interface is streamlined for vertical play, making it one of the most comfortable slots for players using ZAR deposits on mobile devices.

Graphics & Sound Design

The Book of Dead slot is visually rich and atmospheric. The graphics are sharp and detailed, set within a glowing golden tomb adorned with hieroglyphics. The high-value symbols feature the explorer Rich Wilde, Pharaoh, Anubis, and Osiris.

The sound design perfectly complements the theme, featuring a dramatic and adventurous Egyptian-inspired soundtrack. The sound effects are punchy and satisfying, especially the unique orchestral flourish that plays when an expanding symbol covers the reels, signaling a massive win.

Where to Play Book of Dead in South Africa

As a flagship title from Play’n GO, the Book of Dead slot is featured at virtually every major, reputable South African online casino. Players looking to embark on this classic adventure using ZAR deposits can find this slot machine at top ZA casino sites such as:

• Betway
• Hollywoodbets
• FezBet
• PlayOJO

RTP & Volatility Analysis

The RTP of 96.21% and the High Volatility rating define Book of Dead as a high-risk, high-reward slot. This combination makes it suitable for players with a robust bankroll who are prepared for the swings but want the chance to hit the ultimate 5,000x payoff, almost exclusively found within the Expanding Symbol Free Spins feature.