The Book of Dead is still a highly popular slot from Play’n GO that was released in 2016, and is now considered to be among the top online casino games globally, including at online sweepstakes casinos. The slot is a thrilling adventure where players join Rich Wilde on an archeological quest through ancient Egyptian tomb ruins. One of the most memorable features of the Book of Dead is its “book” mechanism, which allows the scatter symbol to act as a Wild and trigger Free Spins with Expanding Symbols; this feature has set a new standard for online Slots, and has inspired many other developers to create their own versions.
In 2026, Book of Dead will be perfect for sweepstakes players who are playing in both Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin modes. This Slot has a number of features that make it ideal for sweepstakes players, such as 5 Reels, 3 Rows, and 10 adjustable Pay Lines, High Volatility, and a Max Win of 5000X Stake and it will provide entertaining gaming experiences for both Gold Coin entertainment and Sweeps Coin prize eligible sessions.
Book of Dead Review 2026
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2016 (Updated for 2026 sweepstakes platforms) |
| Developer | Play’n GO |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt / Adventure |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 10 (adjustable) |
| Max Win/Jackpot | 5,000x stake |
| RTP | 96.21% (variable depending on operator) |
| Volatility | High |
| Bonus Features | Free Spins with expanding special symbols, Gamble feature |
| Sweepstakes Play | Available at Stake.us, McLuck, WOW Vegas, and other major platforms |
The Book of Dead Slot was the first game that made Rich Wilde into a brand name icon and helped make Play’n Go into one of the gaming industries leading and most creative game development studios. The core of the Book of Dead Slot is very basic: five reels, ten lines, and a free spin bonus round; however, Play’n Go did a fantastic job with the execution of the slot. One of the main highlights of the free spin rounds is the expanding symbols which takes the regular gameplay to a higher risk higher reward experience.
In terms of sweepstakes players, the volatility of the Book of Dead slot will require patience from players but the chance of a single free spin round to produce massive bonuses can also be a huge draw for players. Even years after it’s release the slot has kept it’s classic look, feel, and play style due to the clean graphics, good background music and clear rules of how to play. As of 2026 the slot continues to dominate sweepstakes casino lobby space along side many new “Book Mechanic” slots.
Gameplay
Book of Dead has an adjustable 5×3 grid layout that contains ten different adjustable paylines. Three or more matching symbols on active paylines, from left to right, win, except for the Premium Rich Wilde symbol, which wins two matches in a row.
Symbols included in Book of Dead are:
- Premiums: Rich Wilde, Pharaoh, Anubis, and Horus
- Low: Classic card royals (10-A)
- Special: Golden Book of Dead, functions as Scatter Symbol and Wild Symbol.
The base game is simple, yet anticipation builds while waiting to get three Book of Dead symbols so they can enter the Free Spins round. Adjustable paylines in sweepstakes casinos allows players to manage their bankrolls based on how much money they want to spend playing for Gold Coins versus earning Sweeps Coins for real cash prizes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- An exciting Egyptian themed slot machine, with some great looking graphics and music; and adjustable number of lines so you can play it however you like
- The free spin round comes with an expanding symbol (which can lead to large wins); and is probably your best chance at winning larger amounts;
- This would be perfect for sweeps games, as there are low minimum bets which will allow players to make smaller deposits and have a better chance of winning large sums of money.
Cons
- The volatility of the game may cause you to lose money many times before you win money;
- In order to get the bonus round to hit large wins, you will likely need to play the base game over and over again;
- Depending on the sweepstakes site you are playing at, the RTP may be lower than 96.21% and/or the RTP may vary;
- There is no progressive jackpot;
- Not every state allows the use of a gamble feature in their sweepstakes games.
Book of Dead Features
One of the factors that contribute to Book of Dead being an icon of slots is how it adds very high risk elements to a very standard game structure. While the base game is basic, the bonus features are what make this slot popular in sweepstakes casinos.
Free Spins
The main event of the game is the Free Spins feature. If three or more Books appear anywhere on the reels, 10 Free Spins will immediately be awarded, however, this is where the feature really gets interesting. Before the Free Spins begin, one of the symbols on the reels is designated as an expanding wild symbol. During the Free Spins feature, when this expanding wild symbol appears anywhere on the reels, it will expand to fill the entire reel. Additionally, when this symbol pays out as if it was a scatter symbol. So even though this symbol is not required to appear adjacent to each other on a payline, when a player is lucky enough to get all five reels filled with these symbols, the maximum 5,000x payout can be achieved.
Sweepstakes Tip: In many sweepstakes casino platforms, daily log in bonuses and/or weekly/ monthly promotions feature Book of Dead free spins. Be sure to check the platform’s “Game of the Week” or featured promotions.
Wild / Scatter Dual Functionality
The Book of Dead symbol is particularly flexible as it serves two functions:
- Wild: Substitutes for any other symbol in order to help create winning combinations in both the base game and the free spins feature.
- Scatter: When 3 or more of these symbols appear anywhere on the reels, the Free Spins feature is activated.
As such, no matter when this symbol appears, it is always valuable, and the game is never dull.
Gamble Feature
For those who enjoy taking risks, Book of Dead allows for a gamble option after every win. A player can wager their winnings on either the color of a face down card (red or black), doubling the amount of the previous win, or the suit of the card (hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs) which will increase the previous win four times.
Please note, the Gamble Feature may be restricted, or otherwise altered in certain jurisdictions regarding sweepstakes due to regulatory requirements. Please consult the applicable terms and conditions of the gaming platform.
RTP & Volatility
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.21% (can vary depending on the casino) |
| Volatility | High |
| Hit Frequency | 23.77% |
The high volatility means that winning combinations will likely occur rarely, but, when they do, the payouts are huge. This variance of potential rewards will make a slot like “Book of Dead” appealing to those who are willing to take on risks in an effort to win large amounts of money, which is perfect for those who play the Sweepstakes format and love the idea of taking chances at potentially converting their Sweeps Coins to real cash rewards.
Important: In addition to being able to track RTP using RTP tracking tools or by viewing the RTP percent in the information section of each individual game at some sweepstakes casino’s, it is always good to check and confirm that you are playing the 96.21% version of the Book of Dead Slot Game and NOT one of the other versions such as the 94.25% or 91.25% versions which have a lower RTP Percent.
How to Play Book of Dead at Sweepstakes Casinos
Getting started with Book of Dead at sweepstakes slots is a lot easier than you might think due to the simplicity of its design. It’s been around since 2016 but has managed to be popular for years because of the unique combination of an entertaining bonus round with massive payouts available in both Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC), which can be used to earn prizes.
New sweepstakes players will first have to understand how the dual currency system works with this slot:
- Gold Coins (GC): For play purposes only, use GC to practice the expanding symbols mechanism and learn about the slot without risking any money.
- Sweeps Coins (SC): For eligible to win play, switch to SC once you feel comfortable and you can then start playing for redeemable prizes.
Step by step guide for sweepstakes play:
Step 1: Choose Bet Level Decide how much you’re willing to wager with the coin value controls. Sweepstakes casinos usually let you choose stakes between .10 SC/GC and 100 SC/GC. Since the slot has ten paylines, betting on all ten increases your odds of winning, however, it also increases your overall bet. Betting on all ten paylines is generally recommended if you plan to play consistently.
Step 2: Switch Currency Choose whether to play with Gold Coins (for fun) or Sweeps Coins (to win prizes). Most sweepstakes casinos allow you to instantly switch between the two modes.
Step 3: Hit the Reels Click the spin button to manually control each spin, or hit auto play to run multiple consecutive spins. Auto play allows you to keep the reels spinning while waiting for the Book symbols to appear.
Step 4: Collect Payouts Wins are awarded by aligning three or more matching symbols across active paylines (two or more if you’re using the Rich Wilde premium symbol). Premium symbols such as Rich Wilde, Pharaohs and other Egyptian deities award the largest base game payouts.
Step 5: Activate Free Spins Free Spins are triggered by landing three or more Book symbols anywhere on the reels, and reward ten free spins. Before the free spins begin, one symbol is randomly selected to become the expanding symbol during the free spins.
Step 6: Expand Symbols During the free spins, the expanding symbol selected earlier will expand to fill the entire reel every time it appears. The expanding symbols do not require adjacent placement to generate wins; therefore, they act like scatters and can result in full screen payouts.
Sweepstakes Strategy: To practice how the expanding symbols function and test various bet amounts, play Book of Dead in gold coins mode first. Once you feel comfortable with the slot’s volatility, you can then switch to sweeps coins to earn redeemable prizes and try to reach the slot’s maximum payout of 5000 times your bet.
Top Sweepstakes Casinos to Play Book of Dead in 2026
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Ruby Sweeps
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Games700+
Payout time24h
RTP95
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100,000 GC + 2.5 SC
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The Book of Dead remains a top slot at sweepstakes casino sites; players praise the game’s simplicity in addition to the high winning possibilities:
| Aspect | Player Feedback |
|---|---|
| Expanding Symbols | “Even after this many years still the best bonus round I have seen”. The full screen Rich Wilde expansion creates a lot of player anticipation |
| Mobile Performance | “I use this while commuting because it is so light weight and loads fast.” Players like the mobile friendly, fast loading version of this game. |
| Volatility | “The high risk makes sense to me if the books land.” While there are long periods without wins, players also believe that the large winnings make the risk worth it. |
| Sweepstakes Suitability | “This is great for utilizing your daily login bonus.” With a min bet of 0.10 SC, it provides a way to stretch out your Sweeps Coins |
Average Ratings: Between 4.5/5 and 4.8/5 on major sweepstakes platforms in 2026.
Our Verdict
The Book of Dead slot is much more than just a slot machine. It has become an anchor title for the modern sweepstakes casino experience. Its free spins with expanding symbols are one of the best features in the game today, and its high volatility makes each spin feel like a major event.
Book of Dead will be the perfect title for sweepstakes players looking for a combination of a fun, high risk, immersive Egypt themed title with potential for large payouts from a single spin. With its adjustable payline options and very low minimum bet, this title will be great for casual Gold Coin play or for serious Sweeps Coin based prize hunts.
Why it fits well into the sweepstakes format:
- Entry level of 0.10 SC, which is perfect for daily bonus play
- High volatility to match the “prize hunting” mindset of sweeps players
- Optimized for mobile to suit on the go player behaviors
- Instant name recognition and trust among players
Although there have been many new versions of the “book slot” category (such as Play’n GO’s own “Book of Time” available at Stake.us), the Book of Dead remains one of the most popular titles in history at sweepstakes casinos.
FAQ
What is RTP of Book of Dead?
The RTP is 96.21%. However, a few of the Sweepstakes Casinos that offer this slot may have lower RTP versions (94.25%, or 91.25%). Always check the game info panel at your specific casino to verify which version is being played.
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