Ancient Egypt is one of history’s most advanced and enduring civilizations. Its remarkable achievements in art, religion, philosophy, architecture, culture, and more have fascinated people for thousands of years, from the Romans to the present. Rulers like Tutankhamun and Cleopatra continue to be discussed today and permeate popular culture. The pyramids, one of the wonders of the ancient world, still stand after countless centuries. All over Egypt, you can see evidence of these remarkable people: temples, statues, and artefacts depicting the pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Horus and Anubis, all in that most fascinating of pictorial alphabets, hieroglyphics. No wonder Ancient Egypt makes such great fodder for online slot games like Blueprint Gaming’s Eye of Horus or Hacksaw Gaming’s Hand of Anubis!
The Rise of the Egyptian Slot Genre
In the vast world of online slots, the Egyptian genre stands out for its timeless allure and enduring popularity. Egyptian-themed slots have captured the imagination of players worldwide thanks to their captivating themes, rich symbolism, and mysterious history. Only fishing and Irish-themed games are arguably more popular. Players are drawn to the mythological narratives and the sense of adventure that unfolds as they encounter members of the pantheon of gods, Horus and Anubis (and less often Ra), and meet some of Ancient Egypt’s most famous historical figures, King Tut and Cleopatra among them, such as Neon Valley Studio’s Queen of Alexandria and Realistic Games’ Tutankhamun Deluxe, and visit the ancient capitals of the Ancient Egyptian world, including (in some slots) the Underworld itself!
The rise of the Egyptian slot genre is not a recent phenomenon either. Physical Egyptian slot machines were popular in brick-and-mortar casinos before online gaming was even a thing. The trend continued in the mid-90s onwards when online slot titles started making an impact. It’s clear is that Egyptian-themed slots’ ability to transport players back in time, allowing them to explore this rich historical and cultural heritage (whether at home online or at land-based casinos), accounts for a large part of people’s fascination with Ancient Egypt and by extension, slot games centred around that theme.
Ancient Egypt’s breathtaking landscapes – including towering pyramids, intricate temples, giant statues and more – allows for some stunning graphics and artwork alongside immersive design features. The symbols in Egyptian-themed slots tend to comprise traditional cultural objects such as ankhs, scarab beetles, jackals, cats, and more. Deities, such as the sky god Horus, can appear as symbols themselves. Game grids tend to feature gold-lined frames or reels that sometimes also sport lapis lazuli patterns. The vast amount of paraphernalia and iconography associated with the period allows for some variety in the type of Ancient Egyptian-themed slot games developers produce, although some overlap is inevitable. Some slots are easy to pick up and play due to their simplified mechanics; others offer more elaborate bonus features such as free spins, multipliers, expanding symbols, and progressive jackpots.
It’s no wonder that Egyptian-themed slots remain a popular choice among players worldwide then. The sense of adventure, stunning visual presentations, exciting gameplay mechanics and the potential for significant winnings means that Egyptian-themed slots offer an unforgettable gaming experience that keeps players returning for more.
The Best Egyptian Themed Slot Games
With so many Egyptian-themed slot games on the market, how do you choose which ones to unwrap first? Let’s uncover some of the genre’s most popular titles to date!
Eye of Horus Megaways
Eye of Horus Megaways is Blueprint Gaming’s 2019 sequel to the hugely popular classic original from a few years back. Not much has changed graphically. Both slots feature deep, rich, and vibrant colours. They also take place within the same temple location. Where the sequel shines is the Megaways game engine. This allows for a 6-reel game grid with anywhere between 2 – 5 rows depending on the on-screen action and size of the symbols in play. This is allied to 15,625 active paylines and a potential maximum payout of 10,000x the stake. Symbols comprise both playing cards and traditional Ancient Egypt iconography, such as ankhs and jackals. Horus is the slot’s Wild symbol, and he can expand to cover entire reels. Meanwhile, the main bonus feature (not counting the Megaways mechanic) is a Free Spins round triggered by landing a certain amount of temple Scatter symbols. If you liked the original Eye of Horus, you’ll love its Megaways sequel!
Book of Riches Deluxe
Ruby Play’s Book of Riches Deluxe was released in December 2019 and adopts a slightly different approach. It’s not set in Ancient Egypt per se but follows an explorer searching for the period’s hidden treasures, specifically the titular book that presumably will bring him untold riches… The slot features a gorgeous background that showcases a temple with gold pharaonic statues, pyramids and a stunning sunset view. The game grid features a 5×3 layout with 30 active paylines. Symbols include playing cards alongside cats, beetles and even King Tut’s gold death mask. The Book of Riches acts as both the slot’s Wild and Scatter symbols. Bonus features include a Free Spins round triggered by landing a certain number of Wild/Scatter symbols, expanding symbols that grow to cover entire reels and most lucratively perhaps, Jackpot Mania, activated by landing a certain number of orbs on the reels; landing the Grand Jackpot awards the slot’s maximum payout of 10,000x the stake. All in all, Book of Riches is a great addition to the pantheon of Egyptian slot games!
Book of the Fallen Slot
Book of the Fallen is another thrilling entry in the John Hunter series. It was developed and released by Malta-based Pragmatic Play in November 2021. Seasoned explorer John Hunter (an obvious Indiana Jones stand-in) has appeared in other Egyptian-themed slots, the two most obvious ones being Tomb of the Scarab Queen and Book of Tut. In this slot, he’s after the titular Book of the Fallen inside a large Ancient Egyptian temple, complete with braziers, columns, hieroglyphic-filled high walls and even a skylight! The slot showcases a 5×3 layout, 10 active paylines and a potential max win of 5,000x the stake. Symbols include playing cards, bejewelled ankhs, Tut’s gold death mask (again), a menacing Anubis symbol with glowing red eyes and the intrepid explorer himself. The Book of the Fallen symbol acts as the slot’s Wild and Scatter. The main bonus feature is a Free Spins round, and in a neat twist, players select a symbol to act as a special expanding symbol before the round even starts. Pragmatic Play strikes again with another visually stunning slot featuring a gorgeous temple background and of course, the dauntless John Hunter, who we’re sure will be back to headline further adventures!
Summary
The above three games barely dent what the Egyptian slots genre has to offer but serve as a good introduction. Want to see what other ones we have on-site? Visit the Lottomart website, where we host over 80+ Egyptian-themed slots – ideal for those players wanting to dig further! Lottomart’s ever-expanding online slots library now boasts 1,500+ games across a vast range of themes and genres, from online slots to progressive jackpots, instants, table and live games, and more. So there has never been a better time to sign up and play! New players in the UK can also gain access to a generous welcome offer!
Safer Gaming
This is a real money gambling site. Please always keep your play safe and fun and only bet what you can afford.
