These days you can actually get paid to play video games and it doesn’t even matter if you’re not much of a gamer.
Learn how to make money in your spare time with the following video games.
How to Make Money Playing Games
This first section reviews sites that award you cash to play games that you might play on your tablet or smartphone for fun.
If you are looking for apps that pay you to play games, options are tournament-based while others allow you to play alone and earn rewards after completing specific objectives or challenges.
1. Mistplay
Mistplay is one of the best apps where you can get paid to play games. When you download the app, you’ll get a mixlist that has new games for you to play.
As you play the games on your app, you’ll start earning points. You can use your points to get gift cards to Visa (i.e. cash!) Amazon, Starbucks and more.
The app also has a chat feature where you can chat with other gamers. And you can earn points when you invite friends to download and play.
Looking for a little competition? You can compete with other gamers to rank in the Mistplay leaderboards.
Mistplay also features a personalized game library that is designed based on your gaming preferences.
2. Solitaire Cube
Solitaire Cube is a solitaire game that will pay you to play but with a twist. It functions like Klondike solitaire with 3-card draws.
You can play one-on-one with other players or in large, multi-player tournaments.
With one-on-one, both players solve the same deck. The player who finishes first wins.
Note that not all decks can be fully solved. If you’ve finished to the best of your ability on a deck, just hit the “Finish” button.
This is a Skillz game that you can play for free or pay money in order to play to win cash prizes.
The app is available in the Apple App store and in the Google Play store.
Note: Cash tournaments are not available in AR, CT, DE, IL, IN, LA, ME, and SD.
3. PlayerUp
PlayerUp is another P2P video game account marketplace.
They pride themselves on being “the first company devoted to legally protecting Player-2-Player Account Transactions.”
PlayerUp allows third-party sellers to list digital items and services for sale. Sellers can then choose to conduct the transaction directly through the Buyer or include PlayerUp as a third party.
PlayerUp will secure the payment and assets until delivery has been verified by the buyer, at which point the buyer’s funds are released to the seller.
Using this system, which PlayerUp refers to as “Middleman,” neither buyer nor seller shares personal information, and transactions are guaranteed.
PlayerUp reduces the potential risk of fraud by collecting, holding and disbursing funds.
If you desire to ensure you earn money for your hard work securely, this can be a good site to use because of their payment protection guarantees.
As you do more transactions with them, they are able to speed up payouts. For first-time sellers, the process is a little slow, so be patient.
4. Golden Hearts Games
If you want to get paid to play games, the Golden Hearts Games website offers a variety of games that pay cash.
What’s different about this site is that some of the money you pay to play supports a charity of your choice.
You can choose any U.S. IRS-recognized charity to support. Examples of games on this site include bingo, poker, scratch games and other QuickPlay games.
This site boasts thousands of winners every day. If you like to make money with games, this site will help you do that and do good at the same time.
Donations may be tax deductible depending on your individual tax circumstances.
5. Play and Win
Another popular gaming site that will pay you to play games is Play and Win. You can play arcade games, bingo, puzzle games, matching games, card games, and multiplayer games.
It’s like having a video game on your phone instead of going to the arcade.
They offer lots of games to play and entertainment. It’s completely free and free of commercials.
If you choose the VIP option, you will have access to unlimited games, you get extra golden eggs every day in Farm Empire, extra diamonds in Tower Empire every day, and up to 500 friends (regular users only get 100).
You can also enter tournaments and challenges to earn additional reward points.
When it comes time to redeem your rewards points, you can receive PayPal cash or enter sweepstakes. Make sure to redeem on time so you don’t lose your tokens.
Related article: 15 Ways to Get Paid Apps for Free
6. Swagbucks Live
Swagbucks Live is a live trivia game where you play against other players to answer trivia questions in record time. Similar to HQ Trivia, this game is fun.
You have only ten seconds to answer questions. If you don’t answer in time you’ll be disqualified.
However, you’ll still earn for the questions you’ve answered correctly.
These online Trivia game questions get more difficult as you progress. Win SB (Swagbucks) points that you can convert to PayPal money, gift cards and more.
There are Trivia games throughout the week you can join to try and win the big jackpot.
If you are already a Swagbucks player, this is definitely worth taking a look.
7. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is more than a platform to play games online.
You can also get paid to surf and search the web, watch videos, and take surveys.
With each activity, you get rewards points called “Swagbucks.” There are a few free games that allow you to earn Swagbucks.
There are memory games and also action games where you guide a character to jump over pits and obstacles to gain points.
If you do “pay-to-play” online games on GSN, Swagbucks will pay you up to 18 bucks per $1 spent on games ranging from the various slots games, Bejeweled 2, and games based on shows like Super Plinko from The Price is Right game show.
Whether you win or lose, you can earn a little extra money by playing on GSN using Swagbucks.
You can spend the accumulated bucks on gift cards to nearly any restaurant or retail store. A second option is to exchange for PayPal.
8. QuickRewards
QuickRewards is another multi-faceted option to earn rewards.
You can make money playing games like video games or performing additional tasks such as watching videos, taking surveys, visiting websites, shopping, and completing offers.
This site is more flexible in rewards payouts than some of the others.
With QuickRewards, you can get paid for PayPal rewards with a balance of one cent.
Or you can redeem your points for gift cards starting at $5. Gift cards are mailed once per week.
QuickRewards has paid out over $7 million to date and has an A+ rating with the BBB as well.
9. InboxDollars
You can also earn extra cash by playing games online with InboxDollars.
There are free games and paid games offered through GSN where you earn extra reward dollars when you play through InboxDollars.
In addition to getting paid for playing games, InboxDollars will also pay you for taking surveys, entering contests, performing web searches (they have their own search engine like Google), shopping online, or redeeming coupons.
You can get a bonus of $5 when you sign up with InboxDollars and can cash out once you earn $40 in rewards.
You’ve got two choices of rewards with InboxDollars. They’ll let you cash out and get PayPal cash or you can get gift cards.
Gift card options include Amazon, Target, Starbucks and more.
10. Player Auctions
You can also make money by selling your account info online at Player Auctions. This site has been helping gamers swap account information since 1999.
This site exists to help others glean wisdom from your gaming skills.
After doing the hard work of beating the game or earning all the available badges or coins, you can reap your cash rewards by selling it to the highest bidder.
It’s possible to sell your accounts for a variety of games from sports games, to action games, and RPG franchises like Runescape or Final Fantasy.
There are fees for selling through this site. The fees vary based on a number of factors. See the Player Auctions help center for details.
Payout is made through PayPal and similar pay sites.
11. Twitch
Twitch is a YouTube alternative where you can make money playing games. By creating your own channel, gamers can watch you play a game live and also talk with you.
By becoming a Twitch Partner, it’s possible to earn money from advertisements based on the length of your videos and the number of views.
You can also earn money if other Twitch members choose to buy a monthly subscription to your channel because you get a portion of those proceeds.
In addition, you can earn money via Twitch if viewers choose to make donations to your channel. Donations might be anywhere from $1 on up.
Learn More: How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?
12. SecondLife
If you played The Sims, then SecondLife is an interesting parallel that allows you to earn money. You get paid real cash by creating a digital business on the SecondLife platform.
Other users can pay you to buy clothing, furniture, or other material goods. It’s also possible to make money by renting or selling real estate and creating experiences such as amusement parks or nightclubs.
A third way to make money is to get a job on SecondLife by being a salesperson at a digital store or a DJ at a club for example.
Any way you can make money in real life allows you to earn Linden Dollars on SecondLife that can be exchanged for real dollars.
In fact, one person became a real-life millionaire from playing and selling digital goods on SecondLife.
There are over 2 million SecondLife users. Each user creates an avatar that they control to explore the city and participate in activities.
You can earn Linden Dollars by selling products, real estate, and getting a gig.
SecondLife also has different activities like searching for gold coins on the map or fishing for coins to build currency.
These activities are also a great way to friend other users who eventually might buy a product from you or hire you for their business.
Trustpilot Score: 2.0 out of 5
13. Skillz Games
Skillz offers a variety of different games you can play to win money. While some games are free, most require an entry cost to play.
The site will pay you to play games such as bingo, pool, solitaire, board games and more.
Skillz games are tournament games where you are competing with other players. As such, the better you are at a particular game, the more chance you have of winning.
See the Skillz website for more information on both entering and winning. Funding to play in tournaments can come from PayPal, a credit card or a debit card.
Note: Cash tournaments are not available in AR, CT, DE, IL, IN, LA, ME, and SD.
14. YouTube
This option allows you to earn money by creating a personal YouTube channel.
Teens and adults look for video walk-throughs to get through difficult levels and boss battles that seem all but impossible.
Their primary help resource is YouTube where they can watch videos from others who have beaten the game. You can be that person who shows them how to win.
You can earn money in two different ways. Ads and affiliate links that you post in your videos.
Regarding affiliate links, you might include a link to your favorite headset or controller.
If the person buys that product after clicking your link, you earn a small commission.
This option can take some time to start earning money with YouTube because you need to build an audience.
Unlike other methods where you only get paid each time you play a game, you only have to play it once while recording the video and uploading that video to YouTube.
You can literally earn money from ads and affiliate links three or four years after you originally posted the video if people continue to play that game and refer to your video for help.
15. GSN Games
GSN Games is a website with several money making games. You can find a variety of casino games, bingo, slot games and more.
Although some games require you to pay to play, GSN does have 50 free games. Note that GSN’s casual games don’t pay out prize money.
Be sure to read all the rules and regulations before playing a game. GSN is listed in many Top Ten gaming lists.
The site pays out over $1,000,000 in payouts every year.
16. Long Game
Long Game puts a unique spin on playing games to win money. In its own words, Long Game is a gamified personal finance app using prize-linked savings.
Games are modeled after popular games such as scratch-offs, lotteries and other mobile games.
You set goals as you play, and earn Coins and you achieve those goals. Your Coins are converted into money stored in an FDIC insured savings account.
You don’t need to pay to play on the Long Game website. All costs are handled via the Coins you earn.
See the Long Game website for minimum balance requirements, spending requirements and other information.
17. BingoMania
BingoMania features online bingo and slot games that come with cash prizes. You can play video poker and table games too.
Of course, you’ll have to pay to play these games.
However, BingoMania does offer sign up bonuses when you first join. Sign up bonuses can often be up to $100 in free online playing money.
It’s important to read the rules and regulations of all gaming sites before you play. And, of course, to keep your spending budget in check.
18. GetPaidTo
GetPaidTo is a free GPT site that will pay you to play games and more. You’ll earn points for every game you play.
You can also earn points for taking surveys, completing short tasks and taking advantage of online offers.
Every 5,000 points you earn converts to $1 in cash for you. You can use your points to get PayPal cash, crypto and more.
GetPaidTo offers high paying surveys and quick points earning as well. You can earn points by referring friends to the site too.
19. HQ Trivia
HQ Trivia is a popular gaming app that will pay you to answer trivia questions. Questions and puzzles range from easy to “savage.”
It’s free to download the app and to play HQ trivia. However, you can win cash if you’ve got what it takes.
Fun guest celebrities make the app and games even more exciting. If you are a trivia lover, this could be the game for you.
Note that winning is not guaranteed. But the more you learn, the better chance you have at winning.
20. Rewarded Play
If you love to play games, you can earn Amazon gift cards doing what you love! Rewarded Play pays members in coins, which you can convert to Amazon gift cards.
You need 45,000 coins for a $5 gift card, so you won’t get rich, but you can have a little fun and get paid for it.
To earn money playing games, you must have an Android phone and download the Rewarded Play app. Then, sign up for an account and play your favorite games.
Next, check out the levels you must reach or the time you must play to earn coins from Rewarded Play and keep in mind that you can’t make more than 5,000 points in one day.
Rewarded Play has over 5 million downloads, and most reviewers are happy with the app, so it can be a fun way to earn extra Amazon cash.
Other Ways To Make Money With Games
Here are some more ways to earn some cash by playing video games.
21. Work in Tech Support
Gaming companies often have a need for employees to work in their tech support divisions.
As a tech support specialist for a gaming company, you’ll earn cash by playing games as you help members overcome technical troubles.
There are thousands of gaming companies around the globe. As such, there are always tech support specialist needs in gaming companies.
Bonus: Many of these jobs are “work from home” jobs that allow for great flexibility.
Pay ranges will vary. The needed skills and experience will vary with each company as well.
Here are a few alternative ways to make money online with games.
22. Become a Video Game Coach
A term that’s becoming more common is “esports.” Video game tournaments are a growing trend that doesn’t appear to be going away.
It might only be a matter of time before we have the equivalent of a Heisman Trophy or Olympic gold medals in esports.
How can you capitalize on this growing trend? Become a video game coach.
This is one of the most exciting online side hustles for teens and avid video game players. Full-time coaches can make more than $50,000 a year!
That’s a full-time salary just for teaching others how to play games online and win.
Parents pay for video game tutoring sessions for their children to become expert players.
Several online places are hiring online coaches including GameCoach.
You will need an internet connection, headset, and video capability to teach your students how to master the game.
23. Become a Video Game Developer
Do you have a lot of gaming experience? Are you good at web development?
If so, you could earn money by developing games for the web. You can earn money in video game development in a couple of ways.
For example, you could work for a company that develops online games. Or, you could work independently and develop your own gaming app.
Depending on your skills and level of creativity, you could make a serious living this way.
Team up with friends who have similar skills for the maximum chance of making it big.
24. Game Testers
You can get paid to test video games with Game Tester. There is a small amount of work involved before you can get paid to play video games.
There is a test to pass before you can become a tester, and there are different testing position needs.
Testing a video game is more than determining if the game is fun or boring.
Some testers test the game for bugs and glitches while others analyze the spelling for any errors.
Others test the game for compatibility on a particular device or operating system configuration.
If you get selected to be a game tester, you can earn anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour. That is not bad pay, especially since it is a part-time job.
25. Build a Blog
In addition to creating a YouTube and Twitch channel, creating a blog is another to earn money by helping others play video games through your experience.
Your blog can focus on a franchise of games like Call of Duty where you provide guides, reviews, and videos of how to beat the game or show special secrets.
You can earn affiliate income from your blog by recommending various consoles, games, and accessories.
And of course you can use traditional blog income methods such as advertising or creating courses.
The best places to get traffic when you are starting out are from social media channels like Facebook and Youtube.
26. eBay
You can always sell your game credentials on eBay too. It can be another way to reach players who don’t necessarily know that the other P2P (Player-2-Player) video game sites exist.
When selling on eBay, you can do a “Buy It Now” sale with a fixed price or an auction where your account goes to the highest bidder.
Auctions can be more exciting and generate more enthusiasm, but you are not always guaranteed the highest selling price.
Remember that you’ll pay fees to eBay when you sell items on the site. For that reason, you’ll want to price your items with fees in mind.
See the eBay website for other rules and regulations regarding selling.
27. Playtestcloud
Playtestcloud is a way to play games even before they get released. When you sign up, you select the types of games that you like to play like racing, role playing, etc.
Then when a game becomes available for you to test, they will message you with the details of how much time you need to play and what they are willing to pay.
28. Cashyy
Cashyy is an app that will pay you to play video games on mobile devices.
It is only available via Android and you must be 18 years old to use the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still want to know more about how to make money by playing video games? Here are some answers that might be helpful!
Can I really play games and make money?
Yes. While some opportunities are more lucrative than others, it is possible to add some extra money to your bank account by playing video games.
How much can I earn playing games online?
It varies. Some sites pay minimally while others could pay you up to $150 for testing video games.
Alternatively, if you start your own blog or YouTube channel, your earnings could be substantially higher.
What are more unique ways to make money playing games?
Selling your gaming credentials or becoming a video game coach are two of the most unusual ways to make money by playing games online.
Is playing games online worth it?
It depends on the opportunity. Before pursuing any money-making opportunity, it’s important to evaluate the time commitment vs. payout to ensure it’s worth your effort.
Summary
As you can see, there are several legitimate ways for you to earn money playing games.
Whether it is playing bingo or solitaire, downloading featured mobile apps, or joining high-stakes casino games, people make money each day by playing games online.
You can make money in your spare time too.
