Scarab is a five-reel, four-row Egyptian-themed slot machine developed by IGT featuring 75 fixed paylines, medium volatility gameplay, and innovative golden frame collection mechanics combined with free spins bonuses.
Scarab by IGT represents a 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, this game has maintained popularity through its balanced volatility profile and engaging feature set that appeals to both conservative and aggressive betting styles.
The technical foundation of Scarab establishes it as a medium-volatility slot with specific characteristics that define the player experience. The game utilizes a 5-reel, 4-row configuration with 75 fixed paylines, meaning all lines are active on every spin without player adjustment options.
The RTP varies by jurisdiction and operator, with reported values ranging from 95% to 96.45%. This variance reflects different regulatory environments and operator configurations. The medium volatility classification indicates a balanced hit frequency with moderate win sizes, positioning the game between high-risk progressive slots and low-variance frequent-payout games.
Betting limits span an exceptionally wide range from $0.75 minimum to $2,250 maximum per spin. This 3,000x betting spread accommodates casual players and high rollers equally, though the minimum stake is notably higher than many competing titles due to the 75 active paylines.
IGT's design team created a visually distinctive environment for Scarab that elevates it above generic Egyptian slots. The backdrop features desert pyramids against a twilight sky with gradient transitions from dusky purple to fading orange, creating atmospheric depth rarely seen in slot games.
Symbol design follows a hierarchical structure with playing card royals forming the lower-value tier. Premium symbols include golden Egyptian artifacts: sphinxes, jackals, birds, pharaohs, Eyes of Horus, and ankhs. Cleopatra serves as the highest-value symbol and can appear as an expanded mega symbol covering entire reels for enhanced payout potential.
The scarab symbol itself functions as the central mechanic driver, appearing in distinctive red-blue coloring that makes it immediately recognizable. Pyramid scatter symbols trigger the bonus feature and are rendered with appropriate visual prominence.
The defining feature of Scarab is its ten-spin cycle golden frame system, which operates continuously throughout base game play. A counter displayed in the upper right corner tracks progress from spin one through ten, providing constant awareness of the cycle position.
When scarab symbols land on any position, they leave behind golden frames that remain locked in place for the duration of the current ten-spin cycle. These frames accumulate across multiple spins, with each new scarab adding another locked position. The frames themselves do not provide immediate value but represent potential Wild positions.
On the tenth spin of each cycle, all accumulated golden frames simultaneously transform into Wild symbols before the spin result is evaluated. This transformation can create multiple Wild positions across the reels, significantly increasing winning combination potential. After the tenth spin completes and pays are awarded, all frames clear and the counter resets to one, beginning a new cycle.
This mechanic creates strategic engagement as players track frame accumulation and anticipate the tenth-spin transformation. The system guarantees that every tenth spin includes Wild symbols if any scarabs appeared during the preceding nine spins, providing a rhythmic payout structure.
Scarab operates on a unique ten-spin cycle system where special golden frames accumulate on the reels whenever scarab symbols appear. These frames remain locked in position throughout the cycle, creating anticipation as players approach the tenth spin when all collected frames simultaneously transform into Wild symbols.
The game combines this innovative base game mechanic with a traditional scatter-triggered free spins feature that offers players strategic choices. Depending on the number of triggering scatters, players select between different combinations of free spin quantities and guaranteed random Wild symbols per spin.
Landing three, four, or five pyramid scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins bonus round. Unlike many slots with fixed bonus configurations, Scarab offers player choice in structuring the feature based on the number of triggering scatters.
With three triggering 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. This creates a strategic decision between extended play with moderate Wild coverage versus concentrated high-Wild spins.
Four scatters upgrade the options to 30 free spins with 5 Wilds, 20 free spins with 7 Wilds, or 10 free spins with 10 Wilds. The doubled quantities maintain the same strategic choice structure while providing enhanced total value.
The maximum five-scatter trigger offers 45 free spins with 5 Wilds, 30 free spins with 7 Wilds, or 15 free spins with 10 Wilds. This represents the premium bonus configuration with substantially increased winning potential.
During all free spins, the guaranteed random Wilds appear in different positions on each spin, ensuring consistent Wild coverage throughout the feature. Additional pyramid scatters landing during free spins retrigger the bonus, adding more spins according to the originally selected configuration.
The paytable in Scarab follows a graduated structure with playing card royals providing base-level returns. Five-of-a-kind combinations of 10, J, Q, K, or A deliver modest multipliers appropriate for frequent-hit symbols.
Premium Egyptian artifact symbols offer significantly enhanced payouts, with the golden sphinx, jackal, bird, pharaoh, Eye of Horus, and ankh providing progressively higher returns. Cleopatra as the top-paying symbol delivers the maximum base game win of 200x total stake for a five-symbol combination.
The Wild scarab substitutes for all symbols except scatters, completing winning combinations and increasing hit frequency. Wilds do not carry independent payout values but function purely as substitution symbols.
The medium volatility profile and 75-payline structure create specific strategic considerations for bankroll management. The $0.75 minimum bet, while higher than many competitors, reflects the comprehensive payline coverage and should be considered in relation to the hit frequency rather than as an absolute value.
The ten-spin cycle mechanic suggests maintaining consistent bet levels for at least ten consecutive spins to experience the full golden frame transformation. Changing bet sizes mid-cycle does not affect frame accumulation but may create inconsistent risk exposure.
For the free spins feature, the choice between more spins with fewer Wilds versus fewer spins with more Wilds depends on risk tolerance. Conservative players benefit from extended play with 15, 30, or 45 spins, while variance-seeking players may prefer concentrated 5, 10, or 15-spin options with maximum Wild coverage.
Scarab occupies a specific niche within the crowded Egyptian slot category. Compared to IGT's own Cleopatra series, Scarab offers more complex mechanics and higher production values but maintains similar medium volatility characteristics.
The golden frame collection system provides more engaging base game play than standard Egyptian slots that rely primarily on scatter-triggered features. The ten-spin cycle creates natural gameplay rhythm absent in purely random outcome games.
The 75-payline configuration exceeds most competing Egyptian titles, which typically offer 20 to 40 paylines. This increased line count contributes to hit frequency but requires higher minimum bets to activate all lines.
Scarab functions across desktop and mobile platforms with responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. The visual quality remains consistent across devices, with the twilight desert backdrop and golden reel frames rendering clearly on smaller screens.
Touch controls on mobile devices provide intuitive spin activation and bet adjustment. The spin counter and golden frame positions remain visible and functional on mobile layouts without requiring interface modifications.
Performance optimization ensures smooth reel spinning and animation rendering across device types, with the golden frame transformation sequence maintaining visual impact on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Scarab distinguishes itself through thoughtful mechanical design that enhances player engagement beyond standard slot gameplay. The golden frame collection system creates anticipation and rhythm, while the customizable free spins feature provides strategic depth uncommon in the Egyptian slot category.
The medium volatility profile and wide betting range make Scarab accessible to diverse player types, though the higher minimum bet may limit appeal for micro-stakes players. Visual execution exceeds category standards, with atmospheric design elements that elevate the Egyptian theme beyond generic pyramid and pharaoh imagery.
For players seeking balanced volatility with innovative mechanics in a well-executed thematic package, Scarab represents a strong option within IGT's portfolio and the broader Egyptian slot category.
The RTP varies by jurisdiction and operator, ranging from 95% to 96.45%. Players should check the specific RTP displayed in the game information screen at their chosen casino, as regulatory requirements and operator configurations affect this value.
Scarab symbols leave golden frames in their positions, which remain locked for ten spins. On the tenth spin, all accumulated frames transform into Wild symbols simultaneously. After the tenth spin pays out, frames clear and a new ten-spin cycle begins.
The optimal choice depends on your risk preference. More free spins with fewer Wilds provides extended play and lower variance, while fewer spins with more Wilds creates higher volatility with concentrated winning potential. Neither option offers mathematical advantage over the others.
Yes, Scarab is fully optimized for mobile play across iOS and Android devices. The game maintains visual quality and functionality on smaller screens with touch-optimized controls for spinning and bet adjustment.
The maximum single-spin payout is 200x total stake, achieved through a five-symbol Cleopatra combination. This relatively modest maximum win reflects the medium volatility design, which favors frequent moderate wins over rare massive payouts.
Free spins trigger frequency depends on the medium volatility math model, but players can generally expect bonus activation every 150 to 250 spins on average. Actual results vary due to randomness, and some sessions may see more or fewer triggers.
Scarab by IGT is available at licensed online casinos offering IGT's game portfolio. Players should verify regulatory compliance and licensing in their jurisdiction before playing for real money.
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