Book of Dead Guide · RTP

Book of Dead RTP: All 5 Versions and How to Check Yours

Book of Dead looks the same at every casino, but it doesn't always pay the same. Casinos choose between five RTP versions, from 96.21% down to 84.18%. Here's what that means in dollars and how to find out which one you're playing.

The basics

What RTP means

RTP stands for return to player. It's the share of all money wagered on a slot that the game pays back over a very large number of spins. Book of Dead's top version has an RTP of 96.21%. In theory, every $100 wagered returns $96.21, and the remaining $3.79 is the house edge.

The key words are "in theory" and "over a very large number of spins". RTP is measured across millions of rounds. It says nothing about one evening. A single session of 200 spins can end far above or far below 96%, and in a high-volatility game like Book of Dead it usually does.

What RTP does tell you is the price of playing. Over time, a lower RTP means you lose more of what you wager. That's why the version matters.

Five settings

The five Book of Dead RTP versions

Play'n GO supplies Book of Dead with five RTP settings, and each casino picks one. The reels, symbols, paytable and features look identical in every version. Only the math behind them changes.

The gap is bigger than it looks. Between the top and bottom versions, the difference is about $12 on every $100 wagered. At a $1 bet, 500 spins means $500 wagered: in theory, $481 back at 96.21% and $421 back at 84.18%.

All five figures come from data sites and reviews: SlotCatalog, BigWinBoard, OLBG, AboutSlots and AskGamblers agree on them. Some sites write 84.17% for the lowest one; the five we checked all list 84.18%.

Book of Dead RTP versions in dollars
VersionHouse edgeBack per $100Back per $1,000
96.21%3.79%$96.21$962.10
94.25%5.75%$94.25$942.50
91.25%8.75%$91.25$912.50
87.25%12.75%$87.25$872.50
84.18%15.82%$84.18$841.80

Theoretical returns over a very large number of spins. Real sessions vary widely.

30 seconds

How to check the RTP at your casino

The game itself tells you which version you're playing. You don't need to ask support or trust a review site.

  1. Open the game

    Load Book of Dead at the casino, in real-money or free-play mode. Some casinos run a different version in each mode, so check the one you plan to play.

  2. Find the rules

    Tap the "i" or menu button and open the game rules or information pages. Scroll to the end, past the paytable and feature descriptions.

  3. Read the RTP line

    Look for "theoretical return to player" or "RTP" with a percentage. That's the version this casino runs. If you can't find it, the casino's game info page may list it.

Watch out for demos on data sites

Some data sites embed demos that run the 94.25% version, and some US listings quote 94.20%. If a site shows a lower figure than 96.21%, it may be describing the version it embeds, not the one your casino runs.

Why it happens

Why casinos pick lower versions

A lower RTP means a higher margin for the casino on the same game. Offering several settings lets a provider sell one popular slot to operators with very different business models. Most large Play'n GO slots come in versions down to about 84%.

Regulated markets such as the UK require the game's RTP to be available to players, which is why it appears on the rules screen. We haven't found an independent study of how often each Book of Dead version is used, so we don't claim that any brand runs a particular one.

RTP and volatility are different things

RTP is how much a slot pays back overall. Volatility is how that money is spread out. Book of Dead is high volatility: long dry stretches, then occasional large wins in the free spins. Two slots with the same RTP can feel completely different.

More on what doesn't change your odds in our tips and myths guide.

Top RTP of the Rich Wilde slots we review
GameTop RTPMax win
Legacy of Dead96.58%5,000x
Tome of Madness96.59%2,000x
Amulet of Dead96.29%5,000x
Doom of Dead96.29%5,000x
Book of Dead96.21%5,000x
Tome of Dead96.21%5,000x
Book of Dead GO Collect96.2%10,000x
Lost Chapter96.20%10,000x
Pyramids of Dead96.20%10,000x
Tome of Insanity96.20%5,000x

Highest version of each game. Lower versions exist for most of them.

Book of Dead RTP FAQ

What is the RTP of Book of Dead?

It's 96.21% in the top version. Casinos can also run 94.25%, 91.25%, 87.25% or 84.18%.

How do I know which Book of Dead RTP my casino uses?

Open the game's rules or information screen and look for the theoretical RTP near the end. It shows the version running at that casino.

Does a higher RTP mean I'll win?

No. RTP is a long-run average over millions of spins. It lowers the cost of playing over time but doesn't predict any single session.

Is the demo RTP the same as real money?

Not always. Some sites run a lower version in their demos. Check the rules screen in the mode you'll actually play.

Which Rich Wilde slot has the highest RTP?

Among the games we review, Tome of Madness (96.59%) and Legacy of Dead (96.58%) have the highest top versions.

Play responsibly

Every spin is random, and a bonus can take hundreds of spins to arrive. Set a budget before you start, use your casino's deposit and time limits, and never chase losses.

Free, confidential help

GamCare (UK, 0808 8020 133) · 1-800-MY-RESET (US) · ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) · Gambling Therapy (worldwide). More on our responsible gambling page. 18+.