When comparing land-based and online gambling, one of the perks of virtual casino games that is often mentioned is the free mode option that players can enjoy. This is especially true for newbies who are not experienced in casino games and might want to learn how to play without risking their real money.
In addition to offering a very convenient gaming experience in the comfort of your home, online gambling has also evolved enough to make your gaming time even more immersive. Thanks to live casino solutions, players can still play online but replace the RNG versions of table games with real-dealer options. Thanks to high-quality streams, casino fans can play with real dealers and enjoy every game in a very authentic casino atmosphere.
While live casinos offer a very entertaining experience, one of their lacking points is that they are not available in a fun mode. That means that players cannot enjoy live-dealer options without risking their real money. That is also why live-dealer games are often available only after players register with an online casino and deposit into their balances.
If you want to learn why live casino games do not support a free play mode and how you can actually make your live-dealer playtime less risky, you can continue reading.
Reasons Why Live Casino Games Cannot Be Played for Free
Whenever you wish to learn the rules of a casino game or you want to practise a strategy, the best option will be to play the game in a fun mode. That way, you will gamble with play money, avoiding losing real money when making any rookie mistakes. Unfortunately, if you want to practise your strategy on live-dealer casino games, you will not be presented with the chance to do that with play money.
There are several reasons why you will not come across any live casino games that will be available to play in free mode:
Dealers need to get paid
One of the perks of playing live casino games is that you will be playing with real professional dealers. Just like in any land-based casino where the staff is getting a salary, live casino personnel must get paid. That is one of the reasons why live casino supplies cannot afford to offer their games for free.
Fair conditions for all players
Unlike virtual games where players are simply playing a free version of the game when they switch to fun mode, with live-dealer games, a free mode would indicate that some players will play for free alongside other players who place real-money wagers. As you might imagine, this would not be very fair for those who are playing the same game with you but are risking their funds. That is why every player who is joining a live table must place real-money wagers to participate in the game.
Limited seats at live tables
Games like live blackjack will have a limited number of seats as the dealer can handle only up to 7 hands at the same time. That is just like in any land-based casino that has a limited number of seats on different tables. If all 7 seats are taken, live blackjack allows other players to bet on the hands of those who have joined the table and take any of the seats whenever it becomes available. Naturally, the live casino providers and virtual casinos will make no profit if they allow one of the limited seats to be taken by a player who bets in free mode and does not wager real money.
Live casino studios would lose money
Live casino providers are paying casino operators that run on their software platforms certain commissions for different live-dealer games. If live-dealer suppliers wish to keep their business running, they cannot allow players to join live casino games for free and cost the studio money which would ultimately prevent the company from providing live-dealer solutions.
Watching Live Casino Games for Free
While live casinos cannot afford to accept players playing for free, they still want to keep their attention and attract as many casino fans as possible. That is why many live casino providers have optimised their software platforms to at least allow players to watch game streams live for free.
In most cases, after you register with a virtual casino, you will be able to load the live casino lobby and see all of the tables that are currently live. Even if you still do not have any funds in your casino balance, you will be able to browse through all options available and even load the ones you are interested in.
Watching live casino games for free will simply allow you to view the way the game is played, the dealer’s actions, and the overall layout of the table. You can also see the betting limits of the table and review the different betting options you will have. However, if you try to place a chip on the table, you will be reminded that you do not have any money in your account to be able to make the bet.
Another way to get familiar with particular live casino games is to watch streamers or fellow casino enthusiasts who have channels across different social media platforms. It is common to see YouTubers uploading their gaming sessions in live casinos, showing you their experience. That way, you can still watch the game for free and get an idea of how bets are made, the time slot you are given to make your decision and the overall gaming experience the live casino is offering. The most convenient part is you do not even need a casino account to watch such videos and learn about different live-dealer games.
Why Virtual Table Games Support Free Play Mode
Taking into consideration the reasons for live casino games not being available in a free play mode, you can easily see why RNG table games can afford to allow free play. Since virtual casino games run thanks to software solutions provided by gaming companies, there are no real humans involved in the process of running the game. That means that the game can afford to allow some players to spend in-game money rather than risking real funds.
Virtual casino games can run at any time of the day, without requiring the spare time and efforts of any real dealers or casino staff. Moreover, virtual casinos also rely on RNG games to impress players enough to prompt them to bet real money. That is why, free play mode is available on virtual casino games, allowing players to practise their skills before they are confident enough to wager real cash.
By testing casino games for free, players can also master any type of strategy they are eager to try on their favourite casino games. Once they are sure they can make the right decision under different circumstances, they typically switch to real-money wagering. Unlike live casino providers, software developers who create RNG casino games do not lose money whenever their games are played for free. Instead, the profit is made whenever players have tested games and have decided to wager real money on the options they find suitable.
Thanks to the way virtual casino games are run, there are no limitations on the number of players that can play for real money. That means that those practising their skills in free play mode do not take up anyone’s seat on virtual tables.
How to Make Live Casino Gaming Experience More Budget Friendly
Just because you cannot play live-dealer games for free, that does not mean that you cannot enjoy such an experience without spending a fortune. We have a few tips and tricks you can make use of if you want to enjoy live casino games in a budget-friendly way.
Redeem No Deposit bonuses
Even though you will not be allowed to play live-dealer games for free, you can try and use a No Deposit bonus for that purpose and that is in some way a similar experience. If the casino where you have registered is offering a No Deposit bonus, you can redeem the offer and use your bonus funds to enjoy the live-dealer option the virtual casino is hosting. Before you redeem such a promotion, however, make sure to read the bonus terms and conditions as some interactive casinos will not allow you to use the bonus money on live-dealer games.
Another thing to keep in mind is that casino bonuses almost always come with wagering requirements that need to be complete to be allowed to withdraw the bonus money. Make sure that the turnover conditions are reasonable enough to allow you to enjoy live casino games and still be able to cash out your winnings.
Win money via free spins and use the funds on live casino games
Even if the interactive casino where you play does not offer a No Deposit offer, you can still make use of other types of incentives to enjoy live casino games almost for free. If you are eligible for free spins on some casino slots, you can use the wins that you earn via the bonus spins and wager these funds on the live-dealer games the online casino is offering. Yet again, you are advised to carefully read the promotion’s terms and conditions before you redeem it.
Make use of deposit bonuses
Even if you are a regular member of an interactive casino and you are not eligible for a No Deposit bonus or free spins incentives, you will most likely be able to redeem different deposit bonuses. While this option will require depositing some real money into your gaming account, you can enjoy some extra funds to play in the live casino lobby with. Carefully read the terms and conditions of such promotions, as it may be possible that bonus funds are available only to certain casino games, excluding live-dealer variations.
Closing Thoughts
If you are keen on trying live casino games but you do not feel comfortable risking your real money, you may be disappointed to learn that no live casino will allow you to play live-dealer games for free. As the production of live casino games involves many professionals, live casino studios need to make a profit from bets placed on their games. That way, dealers and the rest of the live casino staff can get paid.
Players who wish to learn how to play certain games will have the chance to practise for free only if they opt for RNG casino games. Meanwhile, some live casinos will allow you to watch games for free but you will not be allowed to place any bets unless you are willing to wager real cash.
Despite not being able to play live casino games for free, however, there are still some ways to save your cash and still enjoy live-dealer casino games. Redeeming various types of casino incentives can be a great way to play your favourite live-dealer options, without risking your real money.
