Novomatic

⭐ 7.5 / 10
🛡 Judge-tested
Slots / Pokies

The Judge's Verdict

Heritage is Novomatic's whole pitch: this is the land-based heavyweight that taught Europe what a pokie should feel like, and Book of Ra alone earns it a seat at the table. The catch? The online catalogue can feel dated next to the flashy mob, and the RTPs tend to sit on the stingy side of average. 18+ only.

Popular Novomatic games

In Depth Review

You've played a Novomatic game even if you've never heard the name. Book of Ra and its sharper sibling Book of Ra Deluxe basically invented the expanding-symbol bonus that half the industry now copies. Sizzling Hot Deluxe is the fruit machine your nonna would recognise, while Lucky Lady's Charm and Dolphin's Pearl Deluxe round out a back catalogue that started life as physical cabinets in arcades across Europe before the Greentube digital arm brought them online.

Playing them feels like a proper old-school session. No 200-feature gimmickry, no cluttered screens. You get clean reels, a single well-judged bonus round, and that slow-burn tension while you wait for the book to land three times and expand a symbol across the lot. These play as high-volatility games at heart, which means longer dry spells punctuated by the occasional big hit rather than a steady drip of wins.

The catch, and it's a real one: Novomatic's headline RTPs tend to land below what the sharper modern studios offer, and the original Book of Ra in particular is on the stingy side. Worse, Novomatic ships operator-configurable versions, so the return you actually get can be lower than any figure quoted elsewhere. Always check the paytable at your specific casino before you play, and treat it as the only RTP that matters. The presentation, too, shows its age against newer studios.

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Reputation & awards

Founded by Johann Graf in 1980, Novomatic grew from a tiny startup into one of the largest gaming groups on earth, today employing tens of thousands of staff with operations across dozens of countries and exports worldwide. Its Greentube online division is eCOGRA-certified, and the land-based Admiral brand runs a sizeable network of venues. The market treats Novomatic as a blue-chip institution rather than a flavour-of-the-month studio. As with any operator, verify the licensing of the specific casino you play at.

FAQ

What is the RTP of Novomatic's Book of Ra?

Novomatic's headline RTPs tend to sit below the modern average, and the original Book of Ra is on the stingy side; the Deluxe version is a touch friendlier. Crucially, Novomatic ships operator-configurable versions, so always check the paytable at your chosen casino before you play.

What are the most popular Novomatic slots?

Book of Ra and Book of Ra Deluxe are the headliners, followed by Sizzling Hot Deluxe, Lucky Lady's Charm and Dolphin's Pearl Deluxe. Most began life as physical machines in European arcades.

Are Novomatic slots high or low volatility?

Most flagship titles like Book of Ra run high volatility, meaning longer dry spells and bigger, less frequent hits. Sizzling Hot Deluxe is a calmer, classic-fruit option if you prefer steadier play. Set a budget and play within it.