Almost all online casinos allow players to play the games offered without using their own funds. This is referred to as the free play mode or a similarly worded term. The obvious constraint is that players who are in the free play mode cannot make withdrawals from the online casino. The free play mode offers advantages to both the online casino and the player. The online casino does not incur any additional expenditure on players in the free play mode. Therefore nothing is lost in encouraging them. The benefit is that a percentage of these players usually switch to real money mode in which they start wagering with their own funds. From the players’ point of view, the free play mode allows them to get comfortable with online casino wagering and understand the operations and the game rules without making any investment or risking any funds.

The free play modes functions differently in the download casino platforms and in the instant play platforms. In the download casino platforms the player is required to register with the online casino in the same manner as for real money play. He may not be required to select the payment option details but has to submit the other required information. When the player wants to play the games he has to log in at the online casino, selecting the free play option. When the player first registers for the free play mode the online casino allots him a free play balance. When the player places a bet the amount is deducted from this balance. When the player wins the amount is credited to this balance. The online casino maintains the balance so that when the player switches to a different game the balance gets transferred. When the player exits the online casino the balance is stored in his account.

It is very likely that the initial balance gets consumed by the player over a period of time. This does not imply that the player can no longer be active in the free play mode. He has to access the cashier of the online casino where he will be given the option of adding to his free play balance. The player can select or enter the desired amount and returned to the online casino. He will find that his balance has been replenished. This process can be repeated as many times as needed.

Instant play online casino platforms function differently. Some require the players to register whereas others do not. However they do not maintain any free play balance for the players. When the player opens a particular game a free play balance is provided. The player can wager as long as he wants provided he has the requisite balance. If the player consumes this balance there is no method for replenishment. The player has to exit from the game. If the player wants to continue with this game he will have to load it again and will be again given the same free play balance. Each game will have the initial free play balance for players in the free play mode at instant play platforms.

There is an important advice for players using the free play mode. Just because the balance is available for free players should not wager without discipline. They should exercise the same caution that they would with their own funds.