Short answer: Two high volatility slots with a 5,000x maximum win. Book of Dead uses ten paylines and an expanding symbol; Gates of Olympus uses a pays-anywhere grid with multipliers.
Side by side
| Detail | Book of Dead | Gates of Olympus |
|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO | Pragmatic Play |
|---|
| Default RTP | 96.21% | 96.50% |
|---|
| Volatility | High | High |
|---|
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows | 6 reels, 5 rows |
|---|
| Ways to win | 10 paylines | Pays anywhere (8 or more matching symbols) |
|---|
| Maximum win | 5,000x | 5,000x |
|---|
| Top prize at £5 | £25,000 | £25,000 |
|---|
| Main mechanic | Expanding symbols | Tumbling reels |
|---|
The mechanics
Book of Dead
Before the free spins begin, the Book opens to reveal one ordinary symbol. Whenever enough of that symbol land, each expands to cover its reel, and they pay on all lines even if the reels are not side by side. A premium symbol can produce the game's 5,000x maximum.
Gates of Olympus
Wins tumble: paying symbols are removed and replaced, again and again from a single spin. Orbs worth 2x to 500x can fall at any time. In the free spins, triggered by four scatters, each orb's value joins a running total that keeps growing for the rest of the round.
What really separates them
The ceilings match and the routes to them could not be more different. Book of Dead needs the right symbol to be drawn and then to land. Gates needs multiplier orbs to pile up during free spins. Gates is the livelier screen; Book of Dead the starker gamble.
An hour on each
| Slot | Staked | House edge | Average cost |
|---|
| Book of Dead | £120 | 3.79% | £4.55 |
|---|
| Gates of Olympus | £120 | 3.50% | £4.2 |
|---|
600 spins. A long-run average; any one hour can differ widely.
Which to play
Play Book of Dead for
classic reels and a single tense mechanic.
Play Gates of Olympus for
a busy grid where something happens on most spins.
Full profiles
Where to play both
Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
Casumo ★ 4.2 out of 5
50% bonus up to £100
10x wageringMatched deposit
- Wagering
- 10x bonus
- Minimum
- £20
- Time limit
- 7 days to complete wagering
- Worked value
- Deposit £200, get £100 bonus
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; a casino may run a lower RTP. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
