One of the choices you will make when you decide to play at an online casino is whether to gamble with real money or to play for fun. Playing for fun is often called playing for free, or playing free games. Most online casinos use the terms interchangeably; that is, if you see an ad for a free online casino, it means that the casino allows patrons to play for fun.

In another sense, gambling at online casinos is almost always free. Like traditional land-based casinos, online casinos do not charge you a fee to participate in gambling activities (except in the case of certain poker tournaments, and so on). Online casinos make their money from the difference between the actual odds of winning a bet and how much is paid out in winnings. This difference is called the payout percentage.

The payout percentage amounts to the hidden fee for gambling. For example, an online casino with a payout percentage of 95 percent pays back in the form of winnings 95 percent of the amount wagered at the casino. If you are able to beat the odds on a few occasions, you can walk away a winner. Over the long run, though, the percentages will always catch up with you if you continue to gamble.

Given the reality of this house advantage, online casinos provide other services for free. For example, downloading online casino software is free. Here at GamblingWiz.com, I list a lot of sites that will let you play for fun or real money. For more free online casino information, continue browsing GamblingWiz.com, and remember, Jerry says good luck and have fun!