When comparing land-based and online gambling, one of the perks of virtual casino games that is often mentioned is the ability to play in free mode. This is especially useful for newcomers 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 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. With high-quality streams, casino fans can play with real dealers and enjoy each game in a truly authentic casino atmosphere.
While live casinos offer a very entertaining experience, one of their drawbacks is that they are not available in fun mode. That means that players cannot enjoy live-dealer options without risking their real money. This is also why live-dealer games are often accessible only after players register with an online casino and deposit funds into their accounts.
If you want to learn why live casino games do not support a free-play mode and how you can make your live-dealer playtime less risky, continue reading.
Reasons Why Live Casino Games Cannot Be Played for Free
Whenever you wish to learn the rules of a casino game or practise a strategy, the best option is to play the game in fun mode. That way, you will gamble with play money, avoiding the loss of real money when making any rookie mistakes. Unfortunately, if you want to practise your strategy on live-dealer casino games, you will not have the chance to do that with play money.
There are several reasons why you will not come across any live casino games that are available 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 are paid a salary, live casino personnel must get paid. That is one of the reasons why live casino suppliers cannot afford to offer their games for free.
Fair conditions for all players
Unlike virtual games, where players simply switch to a free version, with live-dealer games a free mode would mean that some gamblers play for free alongside others who place real-money wagers. As you might imagine, this would not be fair to those who are risking their funds. That is why every player who joins a live table must place real-money wagers to participate in the game.
Limited seats at live tables
Games like live blackjack have a limited number of seats, as the dealer can handle only up to seven hands at the same time. This is just like in any land-based casino that offers a limited number of seats at its tables. If all seven seats are taken, live blackjack allows other players to bet on the hands of those already at the table and to take a seat whenever one becomes available. Naturally, 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 pay 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 who are playing for free, they still want to keep players’ 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 have no funds in your casino balance, you will be able to browse through all available options and even load the ones that interest you.
Watching live casino games for free will simply allow you to observe how 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 available. 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 place 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, sharing their experiences. 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 offers. The most convenient part is that 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 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 running the game. This means the game can allow players to play with in-game money rather than risking real funds.
Virtual casino games can run at any time of the day without requiring the time or effort of real dealers or casino staff. Moreover, virtual casinos 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 titles. 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, profit is made whenever players have tested games and decide 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 who 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 does not mean you cannot enjoy such an experience without spending a fortune. We have a few tips and tricks you can use 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 completely for free, you can try using a No Deposit bonus for that purpose, which in many ways offers a similar experience. If the casino where you have registered offers a No Deposit bonus, you can redeem the offer and use your bonus funds to enjoy the live-dealer options the virtual casino hosts. 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 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 completed before you can 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 bonus, you can still take advantage of other incentives to enjoy live casino games almost for free. If you are eligible for free spins on certain slots, you can use the winnings earned via the bonus spins and wager these funds on the live-dealer games the online casino offers. 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 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 extra funds to use in the live casino lobby. Carefully read the terms and conditions of such promotions, as it may be the case that bonus funds are available only for certain casino games, excluding live-dealer variations.
Closing Thoughts
If you are keen to try live casino games but 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 so that dealers and the rest of the staff can be 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 permitted to place any bets unless you are willing to wager real cash.
Despite not being able to play live casino games for free, there are still ways to save your cash and 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.
