Difference Between Free Demo Games and Free Spins
The wide range of terms used in online casinos can be confusing, especially for new players. Many places offer what sounds like enticing free spins, while others let you try games for free. Both options have their pros and cons. In short, free spins can lead to real money wins, while free demos are played with virtual currency. When should you choose a free demo, and when should you opt for free spins? Here’s what you need to know.
Playing Casino Games for Free – What Does It Really Mean?
Most Canadian online casinos offer the chance to play their games for free, and some even promote this feature heavily. The wording might vary, but you’ll often see terms like free demos, trial versions, or play with virtual money.
At the core, playing for free this way doesn’t involve any real money – not even bonus funds. When you play a slot in demo mode, you’re using a fictional currency.
You don’t need to make a deposit or even register or verify your identity to try games for free. Simply go to the game selection, find the game you’re interested in, hover your cursor over it, and click on the icon or a button that might say something like “Play for Fun,” “Play with Virtual Money,” or “Demo.” Once the game loads, you can start playing right away or take some time to learn about its features, rules, and symbol values. The game works the same way as it would with real money, but you can’t cash out your winnings since they’re virtual.
Free demos are a great, completely no risk way for beginners to get familiar with a game’s mechanics and practice before moving on to real money games. Casinos often offer demo versions of slots and sometimes table games played against a computer, so you can improve your skills in games like blackjack or poker with virtual money before playing for real.
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Pros of Free Demos
- No need to deposit or even register as a player.
- You can choose from a wide selection of slots and often table games.
- You can try as many different games as you like and decide how long your session lasts.
- Demos are a good way to learn a game and practice without any risk.
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Cons of Free Demos
- Since you’re playing with virtual money, you can’t win cash or even bonus funds.
Free Spins Can Win You Bonus Money or Even Cash
Many online casinos attract new players by offering free spins as a welcome bonus for one or a few specific slot games. Depending on the casino, you can claim these free spins either on their own or as part of a package that includes deposit bonuses. The casino decides the value of each free spin. Regular free spins are usually worth the minimum bet for the game, but sometimes more valuable spins, like Big Spins, Super Spins, or Mega Spins, are available.
In most cases, you need to make at least a minimum deposit to claim free spins, but you might also come across offers where free spins are given just for registering as a player. The number of free spins without a deposit is usually only a few dozen, while deposit-based offers can give you 100 or even 200 spins.
Unlike free demos, free spins can actually win you money, making them a valuable perk. However, keep in mind that most of the time, winnings from free spins are paid out as bonus money, which comes with a wagering requirement. This means you have to play through your winnings a certain number of times before you can cash out.
For example, if the wagering requirement is 35x and you win $10 from free spins, you’ll need to bet $350 on the casino’s games (35 x $10 = $350). To meet the wagering requirement, you’ll need to keep winning and betting those winnings until the requirement is fully met. Only then can you withdraw your money.
Fortunately, there are exceptions to this rule. Some casinos offer free spins with no wagering requirement, meaning any winnings are paid out as real, withdrawable cash. These cash spins are very popular, so it’s worth taking advantage of them when they’re available.
In any case, by playing free spins, you have a chance to win money without risking your own deposited funds. If you win and manage to meet the wagering requirement or if the spins are wager-free, you can withdraw your winnings. Just remember to check beforehand if there’s a win cap on the free spins, which limits the amount you can cash out.
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Pros of Free Spins
- You don’t risk your own deposited money.
- You can win money.
- You get to try out at least one or a few different slot games.
- If the spins are wager-free, you can withdraw the winnings directly.
- If there’s a wagering requirement, you can withdraw the winnings once it’s met.
- Sometimes free spins are available without needing to make a deposit.
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Cons of Free Spins
- You usually need to make a deposit to claim the spins.
- You can’t choose the game you want to play.
- Free spins are only given for slot games.
- Winnings from free spins often come with a wagering requirement.
- There might be a win cap on the amount you can cash out.
In Summary
Free demos are perfect for beginners who want to practice playing casino games. Even professional players should take advantage of demos to get familiar with new games, especially those with special features or new mechanics. On the other hand, free spins are a valuable extra for your gaming budget—you can play without any risk and still win money. The best free spins are those without a wagering requirement. If those aren’t available, look for free spins with the lightest possible wagering conditions.