Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is one of the most iconic “book-style” video slots developed by Swedish studio Play’n GO. The game was released in January 2016, yet it remains one of the most played titles at many Book of Dead Casino platforms in Australia thanks to its simple mechanics, strong win potential and instantly recognisable Egyptian theme. The protagonist, adventurer Rich Wilde, travels to Ancient Egypt in search of the legendary Book of the Dead. The slot features a classic 5×3 layout with 10 paylines and simple but engaging mechanics, including expanding symbols and a gamble feature.
For Australian players, all bets and payouts in this review are shown in AUD. The information below reflects the state of the game as of November 2025.
Technical Specifications
- Developer: Play’n GO
- Release Date: 14 January 2016
- Layout: 5 reels × 3 rows
- Paylines: 10 (adjustable from 1 to 10)
- Bet Range: A$0.10 to A$100 per spin. This is achieved through selectable coin value (A$0.01–1.00) and 1–5 coins per payline. At the minimum bet of A$0.10, the maximum win is approximately A$500; at A$100 per spin, it can reach up to A$500,000.
- RTP (Return to Player): The default RTP is 96.21%, but Play’n GO provides several RTP variants (96.21%, 94.25%, 91.25%, 87.25% and 84.18%), depending on the casino.
- Volatility: High — wins occur less frequently but tend to be larger.
- Max Win: 5000× the stake (up to A$500,000 at max bet).
- Main Features: Wild/Scatter symbol (the book), 10 free spins with a random expanding symbol, and a gamble feature for doubling or quadrupling wins.
Symbols and Payouts
The slot contains 11 symbols. The high-value icons include Rich Wilde, Osiris, and the gods Anubis/Horus.
- Five Rich Wilde symbols award ×500 the stake.
- Osiris pays up to ×200,
- Anubis/Horus up to ×75.
- Lower-paying symbols (A–10) award ×10–15 depending on the symbol.
The Book symbol acts both as Wild and Scatter. Three or more Books trigger the book of dead free spins feature, which is the heart of the game.
The Book symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter. It substitutes all symbols to create winning combinations and triggers the bonus game when three or more appear.
Payouts for book symbols in the base game:
- 3 books → ×2 the stake
- 4 books → ×20
- 5 books → ×200
Bonus Features
Free Spins with Expanding Symbol
Landing 3+ Book symbols activates 10 Book of Dead free spins. Before the feature begins, the game randomly selects an expanding symbol. When this symbol forms a winning combination, it expands across the entire reel and pays on all active lines, creating the classic Book of Dead spiele dynamic familiar to fans of the genre.
The bonus can be retriggered with an additional set of 10 free spins.
Gamble Feature
After any winning spin, players can choose to enter the Gamble round.
- Guessing the colour of the hidden card doubles the win (×2).
- Guessing the suit quadruples it (×4).
A wrong guess results in losing the winnings for that spin.
Some Australian casinos may disable this feature due to responsible gambling policies.
Additional Settings
The slot allows players to adjust paylines, coin value and number of coins, enable Autoplay (10–100 spins), and activate Turbo mode. This flexibility helps tailor the gameplay to individual betting preferences.
RTP and Volatility
The default RTP of 96.21% is slightly above the average for video slots. However, due to multiple RTP versions offered by the developer, the actual value depends on the chosen casino. Players are encouraged to check the RTP displayed on the operator’s site before playing.
The high volatility means long dry spells are possible, but the potential payouts can be substantial. Book of Dead suits players who enjoy risk and extended sessions in pursuit of bigger wins.
Bet Range and Payout Potential
Players can adjust:
- Number of paylines: 1–10
- Coins per line: 1–5
- Coin value: A$0.01–1.00
The minimum total bet is A$0.10, and the maximum is A$100. The maximum win reaches 5,000x the bet, meaning from A$500 with the minimum bet to A$500,000 with the maximum bet. Some sites cap the maximum at A$50, reducing the potential maximum to A$250,000.
Graphics, Sound, and Atmosphere
The slot places players inside a golden Egyptian temple adorned with hieroglyphs and ancient statues. The graphical quality remains high even by modern standards, while the soundtrack reinforces the mysterious Egyptian theme. The interface is intuitive, making the game easy for beginners to navigate.
Comparison of Popular “Book” Slots
| Slot | Provider | RTP | Volatility | Lines / Reels | Bet Range | Max Win* | Release Year | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Dead | Play’n GO | 96.21% (other versions: 94.25–84.18%) | High | 10 lines, 5×3 | A$0.10–100 | 5000× (up to A$500,000) | 2016 | Ancient Egypt |
| Legacy of Dead | Play’n GO | 96.58% | High | 10 lines, 5×3 | A$0.20–5 | 5000× (up to A$25,000) | 2020 / updated 2025 | Egypt + Dark Fantasy |
| Book of Ra Deluxe | Novomatic | 94.26% | High | 10 lines, 5×3 | A$0.10–100 | 5000× (up to A$500,000) | 2018 | Ancient Egypt |
| Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 99.00% | High | 10 lines, 5×3 | A$0.10–100 | 12,070× (up to A$1,207,000) | 2021 | Ancient Greece |
*Maximum win depends on the maximum bet allowed by the casino.
How to Play
- Choose a casino:
Ensure it offers the 96.21% RTP version. - Set your bet:
Select paylines, coin value, and number of coins per line. - Spin the reels:
Use Spin for manual play or Autoplay for automated spins. - Watch for books:
Three books trigger the free spins feature, and after any win, the Gamble option may be available.
Responsible Gaming
Book of Dead Slot can produce significant wins, but its high volatility means losses can accumulate quickly.
Recommendations for Australian players:
- Set deposit and session limits.
- Play only with money you can afford to lose.
- Use self-exclusion tools and timeout features if needed.
Conclusion
Book of Dead remains a benchmark among “book-style” slots. Its blend of straightforward mechanics, impressive win potential, and engaging Egyptian theme makes it a long-standing favourite. The high volatility requires a patient approach and thoughtful bankroll management, while varying RTP versions make casino selection important.
Australian players can enjoy a familiar layout, flexible bet settings, and the chance to hit significant wins. For variety, similar titles such as Legacy of Dead or Book of 99 offer alternative themes and different payout structures while preserving the classic “book” mechanics.
