Golden Ark Slot Machine

Golden Ark slots is a game very much in the same style as Book of Ra slots. This is great for fans of those games, looking for something similar, but perhaps with a few small differences to keep them amused. As with a lot of the best slot machines, Golden Ark has been developed with a lot of attention to detail.

Golden Ark is a Novomatic-powered slot machine that uses 5 reels and 10 variable paylines. The game is themed on Ancient Egypt with a female archaeologist being its protagonist. The main character, pharaoh golden statue, Eye of Horus and scarab beetle are high-value icons whereas the rest of positions are filled with playing card symbols that make up the lower ends of the paytable.

The ancient book symbol acts as Wild and Scatter at the same time. It replaces all the symbols thus helping you complete more winning combinations and triggers the free spins feature when 3 or more of these appear anywhere in view.

The feature awards 10 free games with one symbol randomly selected to expand throughout it. When this symbol appears on the reels, it will expand to cover all positions and create winning combinations even if it does not land on adjacent reels left to right. It will not expand if it cannot form a winning combo and cannot be replaced by Wilds.

The most lucrative symbol is the archaeologist herself paying 5,000 coins for a five of a kind combination. Land 5 Scatters or pharaoh statues and you will win 2,000 coins while Eye of Horus and scarab beetles pay 750 coins each for five of a kind. All high value symbols pay 1x your total stake when only 2 matching symbols land on an active payline starting from the leftmost position.

If you have ever played one of the most popular slot machines by Novomatic, Book of Ra, you will easily notice all the similarities between Golden Ark and it. It is practically the same game with a female character replacing the male archaeologist appearing in the Book of Ra slot. They share the free spins feature which can yield some big wins thanks to a special expanding symbol creating winning combinations scattered on the reels.

If you are lucky enough to land 5 archaeologist symbols on the grid, you can win the maximum possible payout of 50,000 coins. Keep in mind that the game pays best when played at all 10 paylines active. The Gamble option is also available, so if you like to take risks, it can double your payouts. Just guess correctly the colour of a mystery card and you will give a boost to your bankroll.

Gameplay

In terms of visuals, this Novomatic title boasts graphics that are a bit more advanced than their previous releases including the original Book of Ra slot.

The symbols land on transparent reels with the Eye of Horus occupying the central position of the backdrop looking as if carved of stone. It is dark grey, which makes the symbols in bright colours pop contrasting it. As for sounds, they are generic, but you can turn them off without difficulty in the main menu. Although we are not fans of using generic playing card symbols, these symbols in Golden Ark are designed in vibrant colours and look glossy, which matches the golden high-paying icons.

Overall, this Novomatic release looks more mysterious and intriguing than those from the Book of Ra series. It has a big winning potential and you can make use of it in the free spins feature particularly when expanding symbols can cover your reels completely.

Real Money Play

This is a high volatility game with an average RTP of 95.1%. You can experience numerous dead spins, but at the same time, you can be surprised with some really big wins, which makes the game perfect for all players who like taking risks. Unleash your hidden adventurer and join the intrepid archaeologist in her search for hidden riches.

We are often asked how to play these free games for real money, especially with a no deposit bonus or similar at an online casino. That might be quite tricky with Golden Ark slots, because it is not available to play for cash in most countries. Exceptions include the UK and Euro countries, so if you are in Europe please see our list of casinos in our 'real money slots' section of the site.

If you are in the USA, or Canada, then you might be out of luck. There is currently not a lot of option in variety of online slots for real money in the US, unless you live in New Jersey where the State Government regulate gambling online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Golden Ark?

Golden Ark has an RTP (Return to Player) of 95.1%. As a high volatility slot, it can deliver long dry spells followed by substantial wins, so this RTP is best understood as a long-term average rather than a spin-by-spin guarantee.

Can Golden Ark be played for real money?

Yes, Golden Ark is available as a real money slot, though its availability varies by region. Players in the UK and most European countries can find it at licensed online casinos. Players in the USA and Canada may have limited access due to licensing restrictions, with New Jersey being one exception where online gambling is regulated.

How does the Free Spins feature work in Golden Ark?

The Free Spins feature in Golden Ark is triggered by landing 3 or more book symbols anywhere on the reels. Players receive 10 free games, during which one symbol is randomly chosen to expand. Whenever that symbol appears, it fills the entire reel and can form winning combinations even without landing on adjacent reels.

How many paylines does Golden Ark have?

Golden Ark features 10 variable paylines on a 5-reel layout. Players can adjust the number of active paylines, though the game pays best with all 10 lines active, giving the book Wild and Scatter the best chance to deliver maximum winning combinations.

What is the maximum payout in Golden Ark?

The maximum payout in Golden Ark is 50,000 coins, achieved by landing 5 archaeologist symbols on the reels. This top-paying symbol delivers 5,000 coins for five of a kind, and combined with the Gamble feature — where guessing the correct card colour doubles your win — the winning potential is significant.

How does the Gamble feature work in Golden Ark?

After any winning spin in Golden Ark, players can optionally use the Gamble feature. Correctly guessing the colour of a mystery card doubles your win. The feature can be skipped entirely if you prefer to collect your payout directly, making it a risk-reward decision on each spin.