Scarab is an Egyptian-themed online slot machine developed by IGT featuring a 5x4 reel layout with 75 fixed paylines. The game combines ancient Egyptian aesthetics with innovative mechanics including golden frame collection, guaranteed wild features every 10 spins, and a customizable free spins bonus round.
Scarab represents IGT's sophisticated approach to Egyptian-themed slot design, combining visual excellence with innovative gameplay mechanics that distinguish it from standard ancient Egypt slots. Released in 2019, the game has maintained popularity through its balanced volatility profile and engaging feature set that appeals to both casual players and experienced slot enthusiasts seeking consistent action with moderate risk exposure.
The Scarab slot machine operates on a 5-reel, 4-row configuration with 75 fixed paylines that cannot be adjusted. This extensive payline structure ensures frequent winning combinations while maintaining a medium volatility profile. The RTP varies by jurisdiction, ranging from 95% to 96.45%, with most online casino implementations offering the 96% version that aligns with current industry standards.
The betting structure accommodates a wide player spectrum with minimum bets starting at 0.75 and maximum wagers reaching 2250 per spin. While the minimum bet is higher than some competitors due to the 75 fixed paylines, the maximum bet ceiling provides substantial flexibility for high-stakes players. The top prize stands at 200x total stake, which aligns appropriately with the game's low-to-medium variance classification.
IGT's design team created one of their most visually impressive slots with Scarab. The backdrop features meticulously rendered desert pyramids against a twilight sky with smooth gradient transitions from dusky purple to fading orange, creating an atmospheric setting that enhances immersion. The reels themselves contrast this natural backdrop with glitzy golden frames and jewel-toned symbols representing Egyptian treasures.
Symbol design follows a tiered value structure with playing card royals comprising the lower-paying symbols, while thematic icons including golden sphinxes, jackals, sacred birds, pharaohs, Eyes of Horus, and ankhs form the medium-value tier. Cleopatra serves as the premium symbol and can appear as an expanded mega symbol covering entire reels. The scarab itself functions as the wild symbol, rendered in striking red-blue coloration, while pyramid clusters serve as scatter symbols triggering the bonus round.
The fundamental gameplay revolves around a unique golden frame collection system that creates strategic depth beyond standard slot mechanics. Each time a scarab wild symbol appears on the reels, it leaves behind a golden frame in that exact position. These frames persist across subsequent spins, accumulating over a 10-spin cycle tracked by a visible counter in the upper right corner of the screen.
On every tenth paid spin, all accumulated golden frames simultaneously transform into wild symbols, dramatically increasing winning potential for that specific spin. This guaranteed feature creates anticipation as players approach the tenth spin, particularly when multiple frames have accumulated across the reels. After the transformation occurs and wins are evaluated, all golden frames clear from the board and the counter resets to begin a new 10-spin cycle.
This mechanic provides several strategic advantages. First, it guarantees periodic enhanced winning opportunities regardless of random outcomes. Second, the visible counter eliminates uncertainty about when the feature will trigger. Third, the accumulation system rewards continued play within each cycle, as leaving before the tenth spin means forfeiting accumulated frames.
Landing three, four, or five pyramid scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins bonus round. Unlike many slots with predetermined bonus configurations, Scarab offers player choice through three distinct options that vary based on the number of triggering scatters.
With three scatters, players choose between 15 free spins with 5 random wilds per spin, 10 free spins with 7 random wilds per spin, or 5 free spins with 10 random wilds per spin. Four scatters increase these to 30/20/10 free spins with 5/7/10 wilds respectively, while five scatters offer 45/30/15 free spins with the same wild configurations.
The random wilds appear in different positions on each free spin, creating varied winning patterns throughout the bonus round. Importantly, pyramid scatters can appear during free spins to retrigger the feature, potentially extending the bonus round significantly. The choice between configurations allows players to match their risk tolerance, with more spins providing steadier returns while fewer spins with more wilds create higher volatility within the bonus.
Scarab operates on a unique collection-based system where scarab symbols leave behind golden frames that persist for 10 spins before transforming into wilds. This mechanic creates anticipation and strategic depth as players track their progress toward the guaranteed wild feature through the visible spin counter.
The game's bonus structure offers player choice through three different free spins configurations when landing three or more pyramid scatter symbols. Players can select between more spins with fewer wilds or fewer spins with more wilds, allowing customization based on individual risk preferences and playing style.
Scarab's medium volatility classification means players can expect relatively frequent wins of moderate size rather than rare large payouts or constant small returns. The 75 paylines contribute to hit frequency, ensuring regular winning combinations that maintain bankroll stability during base game play. The 10-spin wild cycle further smooths volatility by guaranteeing enhanced winning opportunities at predictable intervals.
The maximum win of 200x total stake reflects this balanced approach. While not offering the massive multipliers found in high-volatility slots, this ceiling is appropriate for the game's design philosophy of consistent entertainment value rather than jackpot chasing. Players seeking steady action with controlled risk exposure will find Scarab's volatility profile well-suited to extended playing sessions.
The minimum bet of 0.75 per spin is higher than many competing slots, a direct result of the 75 fixed paylines. Players should calculate their session bankroll accordingly, ensuring sufficient funds for at least 100-150 spins to experience multiple 10-spin cycles and reasonable bonus trigger opportunities. The wide betting range allows proportional scaling for different bankroll sizes while maintaining the same gameplay experience.
While slots are predominantly chance-based, Scarab's mechanics allow for informed decision-making. The most significant strategic choice occurs during bonus selection. Players with smaller bankrolls or lower risk tolerance should select the higher spin count options, which provide more opportunities for wins and reduce the variance of the bonus round outcome.
Conversely, players comfortable with higher variance or seeking larger single-spin wins should opt for fewer spins with more wilds. The 5-spin option with 10 random wilds per spin creates substantial winning potential but concentrates outcomes into fewer opportunities. Understanding personal risk preferences and session goals should guide this selection.
Given the 10-spin wild cycle, planning sessions in multiples of 10 spins optimizes the experience of the game's core mechanic. Stopping mid-cycle means forfeiting accumulated golden frames, reducing overall return. Players should either commit to completing cycles or accept the reduced efficiency of partial cycles when time or bankroll constraints require ending a session.
Scarab distinguishes itself from other Egyptian-themed slots through its golden frame collection mechanic and customizable bonus structure. Compared to IGT's own Cleopatra series, Scarab offers more complex gameplay with the 10-spin cycle adding strategic depth beyond standard wild substitutions and free spins.
The 75 paylines exceed most competitors in the Egyptian theme category, where 20-40 paylines are more common. This increased line count contributes to higher hit frequency but requires higher minimum bets. The visual presentation surpasses many Egyptian slots, with particular attention to atmospheric lighting and smooth animations that enhance the premium feel.
Scarab is available across desktop and mobile platforms with full feature parity. The mobile implementation maintains visual quality while optimizing interface elements for touchscreen interaction. The game loads efficiently on modern devices and maintains stable performance across various connection speeds.
Players can access Scarab at numerous online casinos offering IGT's game portfolio, with availability varying by jurisdiction based on licensing agreements. Both free play demo versions and real money modes are widely available, allowing players to familiarize themselves with mechanics before committing funds.
Scarab succeeds as a well-balanced Egyptian-themed slot that combines visual excellence with innovative mechanics. The golden frame collection system and 10-spin wild cycle create engagement beyond standard slot gameplay, while the customizable free spins bonus respects player agency in risk management. The medium volatility profile and 96% RTP position it competitively within the online slots market.
The game best suits players who appreciate consistent action with moderate risk, value visual quality and thematic immersion, and enjoy gameplay mechanics that add strategic elements to chance-based outcomes. While the 200x maximum win may disappoint jackpot seekers, the overall package delivers solid entertainment value with fair mathematical foundations.
The RTP varies by jurisdiction and casino, ranging from 95% to 96.45%. Most online implementations offer 96% RTP, which matches the current industry average for video slots.
When scarab wild symbols appear, they leave golden frames in their positions. These frames persist for 10 spins, then all accumulated frames transform into wilds simultaneously on the tenth spin before clearing and resetting the cycle.
Yes, when triggering the bonus with three or more scatters, you select from three options balancing spin quantity against wild symbol quantity. More scatters unlock higher values for all three options.
The minimum bet is 0.75 per spin and the maximum is 2250 per spin. The higher minimum reflects the 75 fixed paylines that cannot be adjusted.
Yes, Scarab is fully optimized for mobile play on iOS and Android devices with complete feature parity to the desktop version and touchscreen-optimized controls.
The maximum win is 200x your total stake, which aligns with the game's medium volatility profile and balanced gameplay design focused on consistent returns rather than extreme payouts.
Free spins trigger when landing three or more pyramid scatter symbols. The exact frequency depends on random outcomes, but the medium volatility suggests reasonable bonus trigger rates during extended play sessions.
Yes, pyramid scatter symbols can appear during the free spins bonus round to retrigger additional spins, potentially extending the bonus feature significantly beyond the initial allocation.
Scarab by IGT is available at licensed online casinos offering the IGT game portfolio. Players can access both free demo versions and real money gameplay at reputable casino operators.
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