Most of the large online casinos use downloadable software so you'll have to be prepared to download a program before beginning play. Often online casinos will also have some games available online to wet the appetite of prospective players. By and large, the majority of playing will be done from your desktop.

When it comes to online game playing there are two camps - those who swear by downloadable software and those who do just fine with Java-based games. The games may be identical with Java or software packages. The difference with a Java program is that you have to wait for the program to load before you can play. Even with a high-speed Internet connection and a fast processor there can be a lag.

If all you want to do is take a few slots for a test drive, there are plenty of games available right online. Indeed there are many free games you can play without even setting up an account. If you're serious about playing, odds are you'll have to download a software package.

Before deciding on a casino you should see what type of software it uses. You need to also check operating-system compatibility, the type of processor, amount of RAM, and minimum Internet connection. More often than not Macintosh users are out of luck. However, Macintosh users can use Flash-based games. In addition, higher-end Macintoshes can now run cross-platform software.

If you've ever downloaded a program online, casino software is no different. Hit the download button and you will be prompted to save the file to a particular folder. Most users keep an alias of the program right on the desktop. Downloading shouldn't take more than ten minutes with a high-speed connection. Once the file is downloaded, a window will open asking if you'd like to install the software. In different programs, you may need to open a folder to find the Installer. Once you've installed the program, you're just about ready to go.

When you open the program, you will be prompted to register. It is not necessary at this point to register the program. Instead of playing for real money, you can usually sign in as a guest. This is a good (and recommended) way to get to know the software. If you're ready to play for keeps, be sure to go to the bonus section which will have information about sign-up bonuses, player referral bonuses, and other bonuses depending on the casino.