Introduction: Why Book of Dead Is Australia & New Zealand’s Favourite Pokie
Book of Dead by Play’n GO is an online slot legend across the globe, and nowhere is its popularity greater than in Australia and New Zealand’s thriving online pokie landscape. With its adventure-driven Ancient Egypt theme starring Rich Wilde, high-volatility gameplay, and life-changing win potential, Book of Dead delivers excitement whether you’re spinning at a top AU or NZ casino on desktop or mobile.
Since its debut in 2016, Book of Dead has become a staple of casino bonus offers, pokie tournaments, and real-money slot play for Aussies and Kiwis alike. In this expert review, we’ll break down exactly why this pokie is a must-play, cover its features, paytable, payout potential, strategies and the best local casinos for Book of Dead in 2025.
Book of Dead Overview: The Essentials You Must Know
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Developer: Play’n GO
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Release Year: 2016
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Theme: Ancient Egypt, Treasure Adventure
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Format: 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 paylines (adjustable)
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RTP: 96.21%
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Volatility: High
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Minimum Bet: $0.10
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Maximum Bet: $100
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Maximum Win: 5,000x your stake
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Bonus Features: Free spins, Expanding symbols, Wild/Scatter, Gamble feature
Whether you’re a low-limit spinner or chasing high-stakes thrills, Book of Dead adapts to all bankrolls and playstyles.
Game Features & Mechanics Explored
The Ancient Egyptian Adventure
Rich Wilde’s quest through tombs, pharaohs, and mystery brings a cinematic vibe. Lavish graphics, atmospheric soundtrack and animated reels combine to create one of the most immersive slot environments available online.
Wild & Scatter Symbols: The Book
The Book symbol serves double duty – it’s both the game’s wild and scatter. This means it can substitute for any other symbol to form a win, and three or more anywhere on the reels trigger the all-important free spins bonus. Five Books pay up to 200x your stake.
Free Spins & Expanding Symbols
Landing three or more Books triggers 10 free spins. Before the bonus starts, one regular symbol is randomly selected as a “special expanding symbol.”
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When wins are possible and the chosen symbol lands, it expands to fill entire reels, even if they’re not adjacent.
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Retriggers possible: Land three or more Books during free spins for up to 10 additional spins.
This mechanic is Book of Dead’s signature and the key to unlocking its biggest wins.
The Gamble Feature
After any win, players can choose to gamble their payout:
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Guess card colour for double or nothing.
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Guess card suit for quadruple or nothing.
Perfect for risk takers wanting to ramp up their payouts!
Symbols & Paytable: What Can You Win?
High-paying symbols:
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Rich Wilde: 5,000x your LINE bet for five on a payline.
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Osiris: Up to 200x.
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Anubis & Horus: Up to 75x.
Low-paying symbols:
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A, K: Up to 15x.
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Q, J, 10: Up to 10x.
Book symbol (Scatter/Wild): Up to 200x stake for five + bonus triggers.
Pro Tip: Adjusting paylines impacts your chances of winning. 10 active paylines give the best opportunity to hit the top payouts.
Payout Potential & Volatility
Book of Dead has a higher-than-average online slot RTP (96.21%), but its “very high volatility” means you won’t win every few spins.
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Hit frequency: Approximately every 3 spins triggers a win, but premium payouts are rare.
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Big wins: The potential to win 5,000x your stake is best achieved during free spins with full-screen expanding Rich Wilde symbols.
Book of Dead is suited to players who love the adrenaline of high-risk, high-reward gaming.
Strategies & Tips for Success at Book of Dead
While all pokie games are luck-driven, a strategic approach helps maximise fun and financial control.
1. Start with Low Stakes
Begin your session at the minimum bet (e.g., $0.10–$0.50 per spin). Book of Dead’s volatility means patience is crucial; big bonuses aren’t frequent, but they can be massive once triggered.
2. Activate All Paylines
For the best odds of hitting expanding symbol bonuses and top wins, play with 10 active paylines.
3. Chase Bonuses—But Check Terms
Many AU/NZ casinos offer Book of Dead in free spins or deposit match bonuses. Before you claim:
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Check wagering requirements.
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Confirm that Book of Dead counts towards bonus playthrough.
4. Bankroll Management
Set session limits and keep track of your balance. If you hit a big win, consider cashing some out or switching to lower stakes. Avoid chasing losses.
5. Use Gamble Feature Sparingly
While the gamble feature can boost small wins, it also increases risk. Use it tactically, especially after modest base-game wins—not after big bonus payouts.
6. Take Regular Breaks
High-volatility slots can be psychologically intensive. Pause to keep a clear mind and enjoy responsible play.
Book of Dead Bonus Features: Free Spins, Multipliers & More
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Free Spins: 10 spins when landing 3+ Books. Special expanding symbol can retrigger.
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Multipliers: Expanding symbols can cover many reels, giving multiplied payouts.
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Wilds & Scatters: Single symbol doubles chances.
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Gamble Bonus: Double or quadruple wins for the bold.
Mobile Experience: Book of Dead on the Go
Thanks to Play’n GO’s tech, Book of Dead is fully optimised for mobile play:
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HTML5 graphics: Crisp visuals on iOS & Android.
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Touch controls: Easy spin, bet, and autoplay functions.
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Lightweight app size: Little battery or data usage.
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Responsive design: Scales perfectly to any device.
Australian and Kiwi players can spin Book of Dead anywhere, any time – casino site, dedicated app, or web browser.
Playing Book of Dead in Australia & NZ: What to Know
Legal Status
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Australia: Online pokies from local providers are limited, but players can join offshore-licensed, reputable casinos accepting AUD.
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New Zealand: Local and offshore providers welcome NZ players; pokies like Book of Dead are central to most platforms.
Recommended Casinos
Always choose casinos with:
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Licensing (Malta Gaming Authority, UKGC or Curacao)
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Responsible gaming tools
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Fast AUD/NZD banking (POLi, PayID, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin)
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Good bonus offers for Book of Dead
Check reviews and community feedback for smooth payout experiences.
Responsible Gambling Tips for Book of Dead
Book of Dead’s volatility means wins can be infrequent; approach the game as entertainment.
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Set deposit and loss limits.
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Use reality checks or session reminders.
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Take advantage of casinos’ responsible gambling features.
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Contact Gambling Help Online (Australia) or PGF Services (NZ) if you ever feel in need of support.
Why Aussies & Kiwis Love Book of Dead: Player Perspectives
Reviews from Australia and New Zealand consistently praise:
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Big win potential & suspenseful gameplay
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Ancient Egypt theme with Rich Wilde
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Mobile-friendliness for gaming anywhere
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Frequent casino bonuses and tournaments featuring Book of Dead
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High RTP & full transparency from Play’n GO
Many locals note Book of Dead’s status as a social pokie—often played alongside friends in online tournaments or bonus free spin promotions.
Comparing Book of Dead to Other Top Pokies
Book of Dead pioneered the expanding symbol mechanic, now seen in many other slots like Legacy of Dead, Rise of Merlin, and even certain Aristocrat pokies. Its high volatility is comparable to major jackpot machines, but its accessible bet range makes it perfect for casual or serious players alike.
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Book of Ra (Novomatic): Lower RTP, similar theme; Book of Dead considered superior for most AU/NZ players.
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Legacy of Dead (Play’n GO): More bonus features but similar mechanics.
Book of Dead remains the gold standard for those seeking one-off excitement and massive payout possibilities.
Future of Book of Dead in AU/NZ Casino Market
By 2025, expect Book of Dead to continue dominating pokie rankings. Future trends:
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VR/AR Book of Dead experiences
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Bigger, networked tournaments with global prize pools
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Enhanced social play and live multiplayer slot challenges
Book of Dead serves as a flagship for the next generation of immersive online pokies in Australia and New Zealand.
Final Verdict: Is Book of Dead Worth Playing in 2025?
Absolutely. Few slots offer the combination of top-tier entertainment, high RTP, huge volatility, and rewarding bonus mechanics as Book of Dead. For Australian and New Zealand pokie fans, it provides suspense, big-win chances, and massive community engagement through ongoing casino tournaments and bonus offers.
If you want to experience one of the defining pokies of the decade—whether for a few spins, chasing a five-of-a-kind win, or claiming casino bonuses—Book of Dead deserves a place in your online casino rotation.
Summary
Book of Dead slot – Australia & New Zealand (2025): Play online pokies with real money AUD/NZD, enjoy high RTP (96.21%), huge max wins, free spins, expanding symbols, and gamble features at reputable offshore casinos. Discover tips, strategies, casino bonuses, mobile play, and responsible gaming support for Book of Dead fans in AU & NZ.