The short answer: play Book of Dead first
If you want a slot that feels like Book of Ra but plays a little kinder, start with Book of Dead by Play'n GO. It copies the exact template - one expanding special symbol, 10 free games, a book that acts as both wild and scatter - but its stated RTP sits around 96.21%, a few points above Classic Book of Ra's ~92% default. Google itself often rewrites "slots like book of ra" straight to Book of Dead, and there's a reason: it's the closest same-feel, better-odds swap on the market.
That said, "alternative" means different things to different people. Some want higher return. Some want a fresh theme with the same rhythm. A few just want a game their licensed casino actually carries, since the genuine Book of Ra is only offered at regulated operators in a handful of markets. This page sorts the real options by what you're actually chasing.
Why people look for an alternative at all
Book of Ra is the original "Book of" slot - Greentube (Novomatic) launched Classic in 2005 and Deluxe in 2008, and everything below is, in one way or another, a descendant. So why leave?
- Return. Classic runs a default RTP near 92.13%, which is low by modern standards. Even the Deluxe build at 95.10% trails a lot of newer book slots. Remember the return is chosen by the operator, so the figure at your casino can be lower than the headline - check it inside the game.
- The feature. Book of Ra gives you exactly one bonus: 10 free spins with a single random expanding symbol. It's iconic, but it's thin. Some players want a gamble ladder that pays more, a buy-bonus option, or extra mechanics.
- Availability. The real game left grey and unregulated markets in 2017-2018. Today it's live for real money only at licensed operators (Germany, UK, Netherlands and a few others). If your casino doesn't stock Greentube's title, a comparable "Book of" slot from a provider it does carry is the practical answer.
None of those are dealbreakers. They're just honest reasons the "slots like Book of Ra" search exists.
Egyptian and "Book of" alternatives, compared
Here's how the best-known relatives stack up against Book of Ra. RTP figures are the providers' or casino.guru's stated defaults; operators can and do run different builds, so treat every number as a starting point, not a promise.
| Slot | Provider | Released | Stated RTP | Max win | Feature vs Book of Ra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Ra Deluxe | Greentube (Novomatic) | 2008 | ~95.10% | ~5,000× (line) | The benchmark: 10 free games, one expanding symbol |
| Book of Ra Classic | Greentube (Novomatic) | 2005 | ~92.13% | ~5,000× (line) | Same feature, 9 lines, lower return |
| Book of Dead | Play'n GO | 2016 | ~96.21% | ~5,000× | Near-identical clone, higher RTP, Rich Wilde theme |
| Legacy of Dead | Play'n GO | 2020 | ~96.58% | ~5,000× | Book of Dead's sequel - up to 3 expanding symbols possible |
| Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 2022 | ~99% ⚠️ | ~9,000× | Same book mechanic, Greek theme, headline-high RTP |
| Eye of Horus | Merkur (Blueprint) | 2016 | ~96.31% | ~5,000× | Expanding wilds in free spins, softer volatility |
A note on max win: Book of Ra's famous "5,000×" is the Explorer five-of-a-kind on a line bet, and casino.guru actually lists the Deluxe certified ceiling as "Unknown." The real big wins come through the expanding symbol filling reels during free games - the same route the clones above use.
If you want better odds: the higher-RTP angle
This is where the alternatives genuinely beat the original. Book of Ra Classic's default sits around 92%; several clones publish returns several points higher.
Book of 99 from Relax Gaming is the outlier - it markets a return near 99% ⚠️ (verify per operator, since builds vary). That's roughly seven points above Classic Book of Ra. Over the long run that gap matters, though it doesn't change any single session: volatility is still high and outcomes are still random.
Legacy of Dead (Play'n GO, ~96.58%) and Book of Dead (~96.21%) both clear Book of Ra Deluxe's 95.10% while keeping the exact one-expanding-symbol format. If your only complaint about Book of Ra is the return, these three are the honest upgrade - same feel, better math.
One caveat worth repeating: a higher headline RTP is a theoretical figure measured over the long haul, and any casino can deploy a lower-RTP version of the same title. The figure shown inside the game itself is the only reliable per-operator confirmation. For the full picture on how these numbers work, see our RTP breakdown.
If you want the same feel, different theme
Maybe the return is fine and you just want a change of scenery without learning a new game. The book format is so standardised that dozens of slots play almost identically - one book symbol doing double duty as wild and scatter, three of them triggering ten free spins, one lucky symbol expanding to cover a reel.
Book of Dead swaps the anonymous explorer for Rich Wilde, Play'n GO's Indiana-Jones-style adventurer, but the beats are the same. Legacy of Dead pushes an Anubis/pharaoh theme and can hand you several expanding symbols in one round, giving slightly bigger swings. Eye of Horus from Merkur trades some volatility for expanding wilds that stay on screen, so its free spins feel a touch steadier - a good pick if Book of Ra's dry base game frustrates you.
If you like the Book of Ra rhythm specifically and don't want to stray far, the smart move is to try the Greentube family first - the Deluxe upgrade and Book of Ra Magic - before jumping to another studio. You can compare them side by side in free demo mode with no download or registration.
How to pick the right one
- Chasing return? Book of 99, Legacy of Dead or Book of Dead - all clear Book of Ra's RTP.
- Want the identical feel? Book of Dead is the closest clone; Legacy of Dead is its slightly punchier sequel.
- Find high volatility exhausting? Eye of Horus softens the ride with persistent expanding wilds.
- Loyal to the original? Stay in the Greentube family - Deluxe over Classic for the extra line and higher return.
To be clear, these are slot alternatives - different games you can pick between. We don't steer you to a particular casino, and no game here is "safer" than another purely on brand. What matters is the RTP your operator actually runs and whether you're playing at a licensed site.
Pros of switching
- Several clones offer a genuinely higher stated RTP than Classic Book of Ra.
- The book format is universal, so there's almost no learning curve.
- Wider availability - if your licensed casino lacks Greentube's title, a clone fills the gap.
Cons of switching
- Most alternatives share Book of Ra's high volatility and single bonus feature - you're not escaping the variance.
- RTP remains operator-configurable everywhere, so a "96%" slot can be deployed at a lower tier.
- The atmosphere and gamble ladder that made the original a cult favourite aren't perfectly reproduced.
Verdict
My recommendation is simple: try Book of Dead as your first alternative and Book of 99 if a higher return is the whole point. Both keep the one-expanding-symbol format that defines Book of Ra while publishing better odds than the original's defaults. If you'd rather not leave the family at all, the Deluxe version of Book of Ra remains a solid middle ground between nostalgia and a fairer return. Whatever you choose, confirm the RTP inside the game itself and play the free demo before committing real money - the maths, not the marketing, should decide it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Book of Dead better than Book of Ra?
On return, yes - Book of Dead's stated RTP of around 96.21% beats Book of Ra Classic's ~92% and edges out Deluxe's 95.10%. The gameplay is nearly identical: one expanding special symbol during 10 free spins. Whether it's "better" for you comes down to theme preference and the RTP your casino actually runs, since both figures are operator-configurable.
What slot has the highest RTP that plays like Book of Ra?
Relax Gaming's Book of 99 markets a return near 99% ⚠️ (verify at your operator), which is unusually high for a book slot. Legacy of Dead (~96.58%) and Book of Dead (~96.21%) are the next tier. All three use the same book-wild-scatter mechanic and one-expanding-symbol free spins that Book of Ra popularised.
Are these alternatives just clones of Book of Ra?
Largely, yes - and that's by design. Book of Ra (2005) created the "Book of" template, and Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead and others deliberately copy the one-expanding-symbol, 10-free-spin structure. The differences are theme, RTP tier, max win and small tweaks like multiple expanding symbols. If you like the original's rhythm, you'll recognise all of them instantly.
Should I switch casinos to play a different book slot?
Not on our advice. We compare slots, not operators, and never recommend leaving a licensed site for a specific casino. If your regulated casino carries Book of Dead or another book slot from a provider it stocks, that's the safe route. Playing genuine Book of Ra or its clones on offshore, unlicensed sites is where fake clones and consumer risk appear.