Book of Cats launched on July 8, 2020 and is essentially BGaming's take on Book of Ra. A classic 5x3 format, 10 paylines, and the expanding symbol mechanic in Free Spins — a formula proven ever since the original Book of Ra from Novomatic in 2008. But BGaming brings a unique selling point of its own: a 96.99% RTP that places Book of Cats in the top 3 of the entire BGaming portfolio (behind Plinko XY at 98.91% and Lucky Lady's Clover at 97.31%).
Let's be clear: if you like the Book of Ra format and want a slot with a decent 8,202x max win plus a top-tier RTP, Book of Cats is a solid option. If you prefer modern mechanics (Megaways, Hold & Win, Bonanza-style cluster pays), look elsewhere.
TL;DR — Book of Cats in 4 points
- BGaming slot, July 2020, Book of Ra-style format with a classic Egyptian theme (anthropomorphic cats in place of Egyptian gods). Format 5x3, 10 paylines. RTP 96.99%.
- High volatility, max win 8,202x — the top potential for BGaming's Book-format entry.
- Signature mechanic: 10 Free Spins triggered by 3+ scatters, with a randomly selected expanding symbol chosen before the round starts. That symbol expands its payouts across full reels.
- No bonus buy — natural entry only. Accessible min bet of €0.10. Top 5 spots: SpinAura, BetRiviera, HunnyPlay, BigClash, Betti.
Why the Book of Ra format still works in 2026
The Book of Ra format is 18 years old and remains mathematically proven. Here's why:
- Simple mechanic: a single scatter (the book), 10 bonus spins, one expanding symbol that stretches payouts
- Controlled variance: the book acts as both wild and scatter, delivering steady dopamine in the base game
- No mechanical overload: no Megaways, no cluster pays, no Hold & Win — just pure variance concentrated in the bonus round
It's a format that has aged without going stale. On Book of Cats, BGaming applies the formula rigorously, with an RTP (96.99%) higher than many other Book-style titles.
The expanding symbol — the format's iconic mechanic
This is the feature that defines the Book format:
- You trigger Free Spins via 3+ scatters
- Before the 10 spins begin, a symbol is randomly selected as the expanding symbol
- During Free Spins, whenever that symbol lands on a reel, it expands to cover the entire reel
- It pays as though it occupied every position on that reel
- If the expanding symbol turns out to be a premium one (golden cat, cat-pharaoh), payouts can be massive
The randomness of the selected symbol is what creates the emotional variance of the bonus round. A low symbol (10/J/Q/K) means a disappointing bonus. A premium symbol means big win potential.
Wild + Scatter combined — Book format's quirk
On Book of Cats, the Book symbol combines Wild + Scatter into a single piece:
- In the base game: it substitutes for every other symbol (acting as a wild)
- In the base game: 3+ books trigger Free Spins (acting as a scatter)
- In Free Spins: 3+ books retrigger Free Spins (extending the round by 10 more spins)
This is mathematically efficient: the symbol is rare, but when it lands, it delivers two effects at once.
Official RTP — 96.99%
| Criterion | Value |
|---|---|
| Base RTP | 96.99% 🏆 |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 8,202x |
| Bonus buy | ❌ |
96.99% RTP puts it in the top 3 of BGaming's portfolio. For perspective: that's higher than Casino Win Spin NoLimit (96.74%), Aztec Magic Megaways BGaming (96.69%), and Sweet Bonanza Pragmatic (96.48%).
⚠️ Always verify via the in-game "i" button.
Strategies by budget
Small budget (< €100)
The ideal slot for this budget. Bets of €0.10-€0.20, with a 96.99% RTP that maximizes longevity. You can easily get 2-3 hours out of €50 while aiming for a natural Free Spins trigger. No bonus buy temptation to crack.
Medium budget (€300-€500)
Comfortable bets of €0.30-€1. Aim for long sessions — the natural hit of 3 books is what pays off in the Book of Ra format. Patience is rewarded.
Large budget (€1,000+)
Bets of €2-€5 are justifiable when chasing the 8,202x. At a €5 stake, the theoretical max jackpot is €41,010. Without a bonus buy, it's pure patience — the slot rewards session longevity.
Book of Cats vs other top-RTP BGaming slots — comparison
| Criterion | Book of Cats | Lucky Lady's Clover | Burning Chilli X |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTP | 96.99% | 97.31% 🏆 | 97.25% |
| Max win | 8,202x 🏆 | 10,000x | 3,000x |
| Format | 5x3 (10 paylines) | 5x3 (9 betways) | 5x4 (selectable paylines) |
| Free Spins | ✅ with expanding symbol | ✅ with multipliers | ❌ |
| Volatility | High | Medium | Low-Medium |
| Best for | Book of Ra fans | Top RTP + higher max win | Simple fruit-machine feel |
Verdict: Book of Cats for the cult Book of Ra format plus a top-tier 96.99% RTP. Lucky Lady's Clover if you prefer Free Spins with multipliers and a 10,000x max win. Burning Chilli X for a truly minimalist format with no Free Spins.
Book of Cats vs Book of Cats Megaways — the two versions
| Criterion | Book of Cats (2020) | Book of Cats Megaways (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | 96.99% | 97.07% |
| Max win | 8,202x | 10,000x |
| Format | 5x3, 10 paylines | Megaways, 117,649 ways |
| Mechanic | Classic expanding symbol | Cascading + expanding symbol |
| Best for | Classic Book format | Modern Megaways format |
Verdict: Book of Cats Megaways wins on RTP, max win, and format. The original Book of Cats remains the choice for anyone who wants the pure 5x3 Book of Ra feel without Megaways.
Top 5 casinos to play Book of Cats in 2026
🟢 1. SpinAura — #1 BCE pick, 9.2/10
Full BGaming catalogue.
💎 2. BetRiviera — 8-minute withdrawals
Confirmed BGaming catalogue.
🐝 3. HunnyPlay — Crypto-native BGaming
Extensive BGaming catalogue.
🔵 4. BigClash — BGaming + integrated sportsbook
Confirmed BGaming catalogue.
🔴 5. Betti — 150% bonus + BGaming
Confirmed BGaming catalogue.
FAQ — Book of Cats
What is Book of Cats's RTP?
Official RTP: 96.99% — top 3 of the BGaming portfolio (behind Plinko XY at 98.91% and Lucky Lady's Clover at 97.31%). Generally respected at partner casinos.
How does the expanding symbol work?
Before Free Spins begin, a symbol is randomly selected as the expanding symbol. During the 10 Free Spins, whenever that symbol lands on a reel, it expands to cover the entire reel and pays as though it occupied every position. It's the iconic Book of Ra mechanic that drives the bonus round's entire value.
Book of Cats vs Book of Cats Megaways?
Original (July 2020): 5x3, 10 paylines, 96.99% RTP, 8,202x max win. Megaways (Nov 2022): 117,649 ways, 97.07% RTP, 10,000x max win. For classic Book simplicity, go original. For the Megaways format, choose the Megaways version.
Is Book of Cats available in the EU?
Yes, at most of the top-rated casinos in our comparison that carry BGaming.
🎰 For the full technical breakdown (mechanics, statistics, casinos that carry the slot), see our dedicated Book of Cats slot page.
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