Some slots are designed for longevity. They pay small wins frequently, allowing players to stretch their bankroll over hundreds of spins. Book of Dead is not that slot.
Developed by Play’n GO and released in 2016, Book of Dead is a high-volatility slot. It can go dozens of spins without a win. Then, in a single free spins round, it can pay hundreds of times the bet. This all-or-nothing dynamic has made it one of the most popular slots in the world.
The game follows Rich Wilde, an adventurer exploring ancient Egyptian tombs. The visuals are polished. The soundtrack is atmospheric. But players do not come for the theme. They come for the chance to land a full screen of expanding symbols.
This guide explains how Book of Dead works, why the Expanding Symbol mechanic is so powerful, and where Australian players can find the game online.
Game Overview – The Slot That Defined High Volatility
Book of Dead was released by Play’n GO in 2016. At the time, high-volatility slots existed, but few had achieved mainstream popularity. Book of Dead changed that.
The developer:
Play’n GO is a Swedish game developer founded in 1997. The company is known for producing high-quality slots with innovative features. Book of Dead is their most famous title, but they have also created Reactoonz, Rise of Olympus, and many others.
The theme:
The game follows Rich Wilde, an adventurer exploring Egyptian tombs. The symbols include playing card values (10, J, Q, K, A) and Egyptian-themed icons: a scarab beetle, a boat, a pharaoh, and the explorer himself. The Book of Dead symbol is both a scatter and a wild.
What makes Book of Dead different:
Unlike low-volatility slots such as Starburst, Book of Dead does not pay frequent small wins. Players can experience long dry spells. This can be frustrating. But when the free spins round triggers and the expanding symbol lands, the game can pay massive amounts. The maximum win of 5,000x the bet is significantly higher than Starburst’s 500x.
For players with the bankroll to withstand the variance, Book of Dead offers excitement that low-volatility slots cannot match.
Book of Dead Game Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play’n GO |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 10 (fixed) |
| RTP | 96.21% |
| Volatility | High |
| Maximum win | 5,000x bet |
| Minimum bet | $0.10 |
| Maximum bet | $100 |
| Features | Free spins, Expanding Symbol, Gamble feature |
How to Play – Reels, Paylines and the Book Symbol
Book of Dead uses a standard five-reel, three-row layout with ten fixed paylines. Players cannot adjust the number of paylines. Every spin covers all ten.
Basic gameplay:
A spin costs a set bet amount. The game accepts bets from $0.10 to $100 per spin. After each spin, the game checks for winning combinations from left to right. The highest win per payline is paid.
Symbols and payouts:
| Symbol | 3 of a kind | 4 of a kind | 5 of a kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Wilde (explorer) | 50x | 500x | 5,000x |
| Pharaoh | 20x | 200x | 2,000x |
| Scarab beetle | 10x | 100x | 750x |
| Boat | 5x | 40x | 250x |
| A | 2x | 10x | 50x |
| K | 2x | 10x | 50x |
| Q | 2x | 5x | 25x |
| J | 2x | 5x | 25x |
| 10 | 2x | 5x | 25x |
The Book symbol – wild and scatter:
The Book of Dead symbol has two functions:
- Wild – It substitutes for any other symbol to complete winning combinations.
- Scatter – Landing three or more Books triggers the free spins bonus.
This dual function is important. The Book symbol can create wins while also being the key to the bonus round. During free spins, the Book symbol also pays as a high-value symbol.
The gamble feature:
After any win, players have the option to gamble. The game presents a face-down card. Players guess the colour (red or black) to double their win, or the suit to quadruple it. A wrong guess loses the entire win. This feature is optional and can be skipped.
Free Spins – The Expanding Symbol Mechanic
The free spins bonus is where Book of Dead delivers its biggest wins. The mechanic is simple but powerful.
How to trigger free spins:
Land three or more Book of Dead symbols anywhere on the reels. Three Books award 10 free spins. Four Books award 10 free spins and a payout. Five Books award 10 free spins and a larger payout.
The Expanding Symbol mechanic:
Before the free spins begin, the game randomly selects one regular symbol (not the Book) to become the special expanding symbol. During free spins, when this symbol appears in sufficient numbers to form a win, it expands to cover the entire reel.
Why expanding symbols matter:
A single expanding symbol can transform a losing spin into a winning one. If the special symbol is Rich Wilde (the highest-paying symbol), a full screen of five expanded reels pays 5,000x the bet. This is the game’s maximum win.
Retriggering free spins:
Landing three or more Book symbols during free spins awards additional free spins. There is no theoretical limit to how many times free spins can be retriggered.
Example of a big win:
A player triggers free spins with a $1 bet. The game selects Rich Wilde as the expanding symbol. During free spins, the player lands Rich Wilde symbols on reels one, three, and five. The symbols expand to cover their respective reels. The player now has three full reels of Rich Wilde. The payout for three reels of the top symbol is substantial. Additional expanding symbols could increase the win further.
Why this mechanic is effective:
The Expanding Symbol creates anticipation. Players watch each free spin, hoping to see the special symbol appear. Even a single expanding symbol can create a significant win. The possibility of a full screen of expanding symbols keeps players spinning.
Where to Play Book of Dead in Australia
Book of Dead is available at offshore online casinos that accept Australian players. Because Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, the game is not offered by domestic operators.
Platforms that offer Book of Dead:
The game is widely available at international online casinos licensed in jurisdictions such as Curacao, Malta, and Gibraltar. These platforms are accessible to Australian players, though they are not regulated by Australian authorities.
Popular platforms include:
Stake Casino offers Book of Dead along with hundreds of other Play’n GO slots. The platform is known for its cryptocurrency support. Joe Fortune is an offshore casino popular with Australian players. Ignition Casino provides a selection of slots including Book of Dead. PlayAmo and BitStarz are other international casinos that carry the game.
Important note for Australian players:
These platforms are not licensed in Australia. Players should understand that there are no Australian consumer protections for offshore gambling. Disputes must be pursued in the operator’s licensing jurisdiction.
Playing for free:
Many online casinos offer a “demo mode” for Book of Dead. This allows players to try the game without risking real money. Free play is an excellent way to understand the Expanding Symbol mechanic before betting real funds.
Mobile compatibility:
Book of Dead is fully optimised for mobile devices. The game runs smoothly on both iOS and Android. Players can access it through their mobile browser or through casino apps.
Platforms Offering Book of Dead for Australian Players
| Platform | Licensing Jurisdiction | Mobile Compatible | Demo Mode Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake Casino | Curacao | Yes | Yes |
| Joe Fortune | Curacao | Yes | Yes |
| Ignition Casino | Curacao | Yes | Yes |
| PlayAmo | Curacao | Yes | Yes |
| BitStarz | Curacao | Yes | Yes |
Book of Dead is not a slot for everyone. Its high volatility means long dry spells. Players with small bankrolls may find it frustrating. But for those who understand and accept the risk, the game offers excitement that low-volatility slots cannot match.
The Expanding Symbol mechanic is simple but powerful. A single free spins round with the right symbol can pay hundreds or thousands of times the bet. The maximum win of 5,000x is significantly higher than most slots. This combination of risk and reward has made Book of Dead one of the most popular online slots in the world.
Australian players can find Book of Dead at offshore online casinos licensed in jurisdictions such as Curacao, Malta, and Gibraltar. These platforms are not regulated by Australian authorities. Demo mode is available on most platforms, allowing players to learn the game for free before risking real money.
Official resources:
- Play’n GO official website: https://www.playngo.com/
What Is Book of Dead and How Does It Work?
Q1: What is the RTP of Book of Dead? ▼
Book of Dead has an RTP of 96.21%. The volatility is high, meaning wins are less frequent but larger when they occur. This game is not for players with small bankrolls.
Q2: How does the Expanding Symbol work in free spins? ▼
Before free spins begin, the game randomly selects one regular symbol to become the special expanding symbol. When this symbol appears in sufficient numbers to form a win, it expands to cover the entire reel, potentially creating much larger payouts.
Q3: What is the maximum win in Book of Dead? ▼
The maximum win is 5,000 times the bet amount. This is achieved by landing a full screen of five expanding Rich Wilde symbols during free spins.
Q4: Does Book of Dead have a gamble feature? ▼
Yes. After any win, players can gamble to double or quadruple their winnings by guessing the colour or suit of a face-down card. A wrong guess loses the entire win. This feature is optional.
Q5: Can Australian players play Book of Dead online? ▼
Yes, but only at offshore online casinos. Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001. Offshore platforms such as Stake, Joe Fortune, and Ignition Casino offer Book of Dead to Australian players, though they are not regulated by Australian authorities.
