Do free casino games lag more than real money ones?

Casino games expert here… There’s no empirical evidence showing that free casino games lag more than real money games. They’re often built on the same platform. I’d guess you have an old browser or device. Or perhaps there’s just more (memory intensive) games hosted on the real money casino. Maybe you should close some windows, or try another browser, or use your desktop instead of your phone, or clear your cache if a game lags. To summarize: Lagginess is almost certainly related to your browser/device/internet connection and not the game itself. If your demo games lag, then chances are you’ll encounter similar problems in real money play.

If a demo game is slow compared to a real-money one, it’s not the casino. Demo games can lag because they are used more during certain times of day, but it’s more likely your computer and Internet speed – and possibly the browser and tabs you have open – are the cause. Some casinos intentionally limit the speed of demo games to encourage real-money play, so experiment with different browsers and clear the cache in your browser. On a smartphone, make sure you have the most up-to-date software available. Keep things running!

The reason for this is that many free games are played in-browser, or are demo versions with additional features (such as pop-up windows and adverts) – all of which can slow down gameplay. By contrast, when playing with real money, the software is generally more stable, because operators want players’ experience to be seamless, and therefore profitable. However, ultimately, how well any game will perform depends on your browser and computer specifications. If these aren’t sufficiently high, then both free and paid-for games will lag. In short, free casino games may be slower, but that is mostly due to issues of software compatibility, not some nefarious ploy by casinos to lure you in.

Casino lag isn’t due to play money versus real money. The most common causes are your computer, your browser, and your internet connection. For example, perhaps the demo version of the game is running more scripts or advertisements than the real-money version. The actual gameplay engine is identical between both games. When playing on your phone, ensure you have updated your browser to either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. And always close any unnecessary background apps. Don’t forget to do this the next time you start playing at a casino.