John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen Slot Review 2025

It’s time to head deep into the pyramids for a shot at big treasure. In this fast-paced slot, John Hunter is back on another adventure, and this time, he’s exploring ancient Egypt. The setup is simple: 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 paylines, but the action comes from special features like Money Collect symbols, Free Spins, and some solid jackpot potential.

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John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen Slot Gameplay 

This online slot keeps it classic with 5 reels and 25 paylines, but it adds enough twists to keep things exciting. You land wins by matching 3 or more symbols from left to right. Most of the time, you'll be spinning through base game payouts, but what you're really waiting for is the Money symbols and Collect feature.

Each spin has a chance to land golden scarab symbols with cash values on reels 1 through 4. These are the Money symbols. If a Collect symbol lands on reel 5 at the same time, you grab all the money values instantly.

It’s a clean mechanic that adds energy to every spin, especially when Collect symbols bring in multipliers, expanding reels, or even respins. Things can go from quiet to a big win in one hit.

Symbols & Payouts – Who’s on the Reels and What They’re Worth

The reels are filled with symbols that match the Egyptian adventure theme. You’ll see gold, scarabs, ancient tools, and of course, John Hunter himself. He’s the highest paying symbol in the game and the one you’ll want to keep an eye on.

High-Paying Symbols:

• John Hunter – pays the most (up to 32x your bet for 5 on a line)
• Anubis Statue
• Gun Holster
• Explorer Bag

Low-Paying Symbols:

• Standard playing cards: A, K, Q, J

Special Symbols:

• Wild (Scarab Queen): Appears on reels 2, 3, and 4, replaces other symbols except Money and Scatter.
• Money Symbol (Golden Scarab): Can land on reels 1–4 with cash values attached.
• Collect Symbols (Reel 5 only): Triggers special effects when paired with Money symbols.
• Scatter (Pyramid): Land 3 on reels 2, 3, and 4 to trigger the bonus game.

The payouts on their own are fair, but the real boost comes from when Money symbols and Collect features land together.

Money Collect Feature – The Real Treasure Hunt Begins

This is the heart of the game, the feature that can turn a regular spin into a big payout.

During any base game spin, golden scarab Money symbols can land on reels 1 to 4. These come with random cash values or even jackpots. But you can only collect them if a Collect symbol lands on reel 5 at the same time.

There are five different types of Collect symbols, each with its own effect:

• Collect: Simply adds up all the Money symbol values and pays you the total.
• Extra Collect: Adds a set amount to every Money symbol before collecting them.
• Multiplier Collect: Multiplies the total value of all Money symbols by a random multiplier (like 2x, 3x, etc.).
• Expanding Collect: Expands all reels that contain Money symbols, filling the entire reel with more Money symbols.
• Respin Collect: Locks all current Money symbols and gives you a respin for another shot at more scarabs.

Free Spins Feature – A Bonus Game with a Twist

The bonus round in this slot isn’t just about getting free spins, it’s about building up one big payday.

To trigger it, you’ll need to land three Pyramid scatter symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4. That gets you 8 free spins, and here’s where it gets interesting:

• During the free spins, every Money symbol value that lands is added to a bonus pot.
• This pot keeps growing throughout the round, but you don’t collect anything just yet.
• On the final free spin, a giant golden scarab fills reels 1–4.
• If a Collect symbol lands on reel 5, you win the entire bonus pot in one shot.
  
  

You can also retrigger the feature by landing three more scatters during free spins, giving you 8 extra spins.

This setup adds real tension. You’re watching the pot grow spin after spin, hoping a Collect symbol lands when it matters most.

RTP, Volatility & Max Win – What You Can Expect Long-Term

This casino game isn’t built for huge swings, but it still offers strong payouts, especially if you’re patient.

The return to player is 96.5%, which is above average. It means that over time, the game pays back $96.50 for every $100 wagered, though real results will always vary short-term.

This is a medium volatility slot. That means you can expect a steady mix of small and mid-sized wins, with fewer long dry spells than high-volatility slots. The features hit often enough to keep things interesting.

The most you can win on a single spin is 10,500x your bet. That kind of win would most likely happen in the free spins round, especially if the bonus pot builds high and you land a Collect symbol on the final spin.

Theme & Visuals – Clean and Classic Egypt

The game’s set in the desert, with pyramids glowing in the background and golden reels framed in carved stone. It’s all about ancient treasure, and the design reflects that without being too busy.

Symbols like scarabs, statues, and John Hunter himself stand out clearly. The animations are smooth, and wins land quickly without slowing things down. Music stays subtle but gets more intense when a feature hits, adding just the right amount of energy.

Mobile Experience – Smooth Gameplay On the Go

Whether you’re playing on a phone or tablet, everything runs clean and fast. The layout fits smaller screens without crowding the reels, and all the features, from Money Collect to free spins, work just like they do on desktop.

There’s no app needed. Just open the game in your browser, and you’re ready to spin. The buttons are easy to tap, the visuals stay sharp, and the animations stay smooth even during fast action.

Free Demo vs Real Money Play – Try It or Go for the Big Win?

If you want to test the waters, the free demo is a great place to start. You’ll get full access to all the features, the Money Collect, free spins, and even the expanding reels, without spending a cent. You can play the full free demo mode at the beginning of this slot review.

It’s a smart way to learn how the features work, especially the different types of Collect symbols and how the bonus pot builds up in free spins.

When you’re ready to play for real, bets start at $0.25 per spin and go up to $125. With a max win of 10,500x, even small bets can turn into big rewards.

John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen – FAQs

What is this game about?

It’s an Egypt-themed slot from Pragmatic Play where you collect cash prizes and trigger bonus spins using scarab symbols and special features.

How do the Money symbols work?

Golden scarabs land with cash values. If a Collect symbol lands on reel 5, you get the total, sometimes boosted by multipliers or respins.

What’s the RTP?

The game has an RTP of 96.5%, which is slightly above average and offers a fair return over time.

Is this a high-volatility slot?

This is a medium volatility game, meaning wins come at a steady pace, with bonus features appearing fairly often.

How do I trigger the bonus round?

Land 3 Pyramid scatters on reels 2, 3, and 4 to start 8 free spins. The bonus pot builds, and you can win it all on the final spin with a Collect.

What’s the max win?

You can win up to 10,500x your bet, mainly during the free spins round when the bonus pot gets collected.

Can I play this on mobile?

It works smoothly on all devices and doesn't require an app. Just open it in your browser and start spinning.