14 Ways to Get Paid to Play Games

Are you an avid game player? Do you play online games regularly? If yes, I have some good news: you can get paid to play games. In this article, I have listed all the possible ways to make money by simply playing games.

Playing games and making money are the two things no one would say no to. What if I tell you that there are ways you can turn your gaming habit into a money-making strategy?

The number of gamers in the US is continuously increasing. Researchers predict the number of online players in the US is going to cross 57 million in 2020.

If you’re an avid gamer, you can make hard cash with the right strategies.

Whether you like playing Need For Speed, Counter-Strike, Pokemon-Go, or Grand Theft Auto, you can easily find methods that fit your gaming choices.

8 Ways to Make Money Playing Games

So are you ready to get paid to play games? Here’s my list of the best ways to make easy money through gaming.

1. Sign Up For Reward Apps

The easiest way to start a side hustle using your gaming passion is by downloading apps that pay you to play games. Although it won’t pay much compared to the other money-making ideas we’re going to share below, it also takes the least effort.

First of all, you’ll have to pick a legit platform that pays well for your gaming sessions. The safest way is to go for popular reward apps offering minor tasks in exchange for points, cash, or gift cards.

Here are some popular apps where you can get paid to play games.

See Related: Games That Pay Instantly to Cash App

TapChamps

Tapchamps is a popular online gaming community. It’s an Android app that connects game creators and players.

You can play games based on your interests and expertise. For game creators, this platform generates user traffic, player engagement, and advertisement. The app profits from the creators, and it shares some of that money with you.

You’ll have to fill in some details about yourself when you sign up. After that, the app will notify you about games that match your profile. With this, you can earn money by playing games you like.

Mistplay

Mistplay is another app dedicated to gamers. All you have to do is download it, and you’ll get a list of games you can choose from.

Once you start playing, you’ll get paid simply for the time you spend on the app.

Mistplay pays you in points that you can redeem in the form of gift cards. These gift cards can be used to get hard cash from Visa, or get discounts and offers at your favorite stores such as Amazon and Starbucks.

Besides that, the app has a referral program. You can get points for if your friends download the app and play through your link. Also, you can chat and compete with other gamers to make your experience more fun.

Want to learn more? Read the full Mistplay review for more information on the app.

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is another app you can download to get paid for playing games online. The app is absolutely free, and you can start playing as soon as you sign up. It also has a huge variety of games, so you can choose the one that excites you the most.

Moreover, you can earn up to $5-$10 a week depending on the time you spend on the platform and the types of games you choose.

As you progress to become a seasoned gamer, you can earn more and increase your income.

Earn Per Activity	Payment Method	Min To Cash Out	Next Steps
Up to $5	Cash & Gift Cards	$30	CLAIM BONUS	Read Full Review

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is the ultimate go-to platform for side hustlers looking to make easy money. The app has lots of small tasks to choose from, such as taking surveys, shopping, watching videos, and of course, playing games.

You can choose from a variety of games and earn according to the time you spend playing.

Besides that, you can also participate in Swagbucks’ featured promotions as a beginner and start earning more gradually.

Earn Per Activity	Payment Method	Min To Cash Out	Next Steps
$0.4 – $2	PayPal or Gift Cards	$3	CLAIM BONUS	Read Full Review

If Swagbucks is the type of app you like, there are plenty of similar apps that you can also try.

Quick Rewards

Quick Rewards is another platform that pays users for playing games, watching videos, shopping, and taking surveys. But perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the platform, besides the money, is its flexible rewards system. It offers one of the lowest minimum payout thresholds, making it easy for users to cash out their earnings quickly.

For instance, with a rewards balance of as low as one cent, you can redeem your rewards via PayPal. As for the gift cards, you just need a balance of $5 to get your reward.

Lastly, the platform is well-trusted by users, whose numbers have grown to over 7 million. This means that it’s a legit platform. And it’s also A+ rated by the BBB.

GetPaidTo

GetPaidTo offers multiple ways to earn money online. Here, you can earn some bucks playing games, taking offers, and participating in contests.

And the best thing? The platform provides a vast selection of games to keep gamers entertained while earning.

Once you play, you earn points. And for every 5,000 points translates to $1. These points are redeemable as crypto, gift cards, or PayPal money.

Rewarded Play

Rewarded Play is a gaming app that rewards users for playing and testing new mobile games. Players can accumulate coins and exchange them for gift cards (Amazon gift cards).

So, how much money can you make with Rewarded Play? Well, for every 45,000 coins that you earn, you can redeem them for $5. This means that the platform isn’t a get-rich-fast scheme. But, if you love gaming during your spare time, it serves you right to make some money while at it.

Download the app from the App Store for your Android device and start earning some cash.

2. Try Gaming Apps

Apart from reward apps, several dedicated gaming apps provide opportunities to make money through skill-based competitions and activities. These apps often host tournaments and contests with real cash prizes.

Here are some of the top gaming apps to explore:

Solitaire Cube

Do you love playing cards? Solitaire Cube is a gaming app that allows you to make money as you play. Typically, you’ll be paid to compete in head-to-head solitaire games with other players.

The higher your skill level, the more chances you have to win. And the best thing? You can do it right from your phone.

So, if you are looking for easy ways to make money with your phone, this might be an excellent option. However, before you start earning, you must part with $10 to join the Pro League. Of course, the practice league is free.

As for earnings, this one can rake you some good cash. How does $380,984 sound? Well, a Pennsylvania player known as Katie Nguyen won just that.

SecondLife

SecondLife is a virtual world where players can create avatars, interact with others, and participate in various activities to make money online. So, besides playing games, you can make money here easily by buying and selling virtual items for real money.

Additionally, you can rent out or sell real estate on the platform or create various experiences, such as nightclubs and amusement parks. The money-making opportunities are endless here.

LongGame Rewards

LongGame is a gamified savings app that encourages users to save money by offering them the chance to win cash prizes and cryptocurrencies. However, unlike most apps that pay your rewards through cash or gift cards, your winnings here go to a savings account, which is, of course, FDIC insured.

Also, before you play, you are encouraged to set up earning and saving goals. And as you continue winning, you’ll be rewarded with coins which later go to the savings account. Savers earn more coins when they hold savings balances or achieve their financial missions. In other words, it’s a gaming app that encourages you to save.

Skillz

Skillz is an e-sports platform that hosts a variety of competitive games. This enables players to compete against others and win cash prizes based on their gaming abilities. And the best thing here is that you can do all this on your mobile phone.

The only challenge here is that the games are skill-based. As such, don’t expect to make money from pure luck. It’s your skills for the money.

The platform boasts over 30 million players a month, 3.5 million tournaments daily, and over $60 million of prizes each month. If you want to share in these prizes, sign up for the platform today and start playing.

Popular games here include Dominoes Gold, Big Cooking, Solitaire Cube, 21 Blitz, and more.

GSN Casino

GSN Casino offers a collection of casino games that users can play for fun and rewards. This undoubtedly makes it a thrilling option for gaming enthusiasts. It also offers slot games, bingo, and other fun games you can try out.

With GSN, there are like 50 games that you can play for free. However, for the rest, you have to pay before you can play.

The site claims to pay over $1,000,000 in prizes every year. And you can certainly be among those players receiving these rewards.

BingoMania

BingoMania is an exciting online platform that caters to bingo enthusiasts, offering a diverse selection of captivating bingo games. Players can indulge in the thrill of classic and innovative bingo variations, competing for the chance to win real cash prizes. But you can also play other games like video poker and slot games too.

With its user-friendly interface and engaging gameplay, BingoMania provides a seamless and enjoyable experience for both seasoned players and newcomers.

The second attraction of this app, after the games, is the signup bonus. This can run up to $100 in free playing money. Now, that is certainly a great place to start.

KashKick

KashKick rewards users for completing tasks, playing games, and participating in surveys. You can complete these tasks either on your PC or mobile phone, making it one of the easiest ways to make money on the go. It is, however, only available for US consumers.

Rewards on this platform start from a few cents to tens of dollars, based on the task you undertake. And once you win your cash, it will be sent twice a month via PayPal. But you must have at least $10 in your account to make a withdrawal.

Lastly, you receive a $5 bonus for just signing in. So, get signed up today and make money with more than just playing games.

21 Blitz

Making money playing games on 21 Blitz is easy and fun for gaming enthusiasts. The game combines elements of solitaire and blackjack, providing a unique and engaging experience. Players can participate in fast-paced matches, aiming to score as many points as possible within a limited time.

Typically, users can compete for real cash prizes by showcasing their gaming skills and strategic prowess. And the process is straightforward – the more points you earn, the higher your chances of winning cash rewards. So, if you want to turn your gaming passion into some bucks, 21 Blitz gets you there.

Download the app today on your Android or iOS device and start playing for money.

Pool Payday

Pool Payday presents an immersive platform for billiards enthusiasts. In other words, it offers a thrilling opportunity to engage in competitive pool matches and emerge as champions with enticing cash prizes.

The platform hosts a diverse community of players, ensuring endless challenges and the chance to compete with opponents of varying skill levels. And with its user-friendly interface and seamless navigation, Pool Payday makes it convenient for players to participate in matches.

Earnings here depend on your stake. Yes, you read that right! While there is a free option for the game, it will require you at least 500 hours and 10,000 words to start making money. But, with a stake of at least 60 cents, you can enter the cash games mode instantly.

A $3 stake gives you a chance to win $8. You could also enter an event with only a dollar, with a winning potential of $700.

Bananatic

Bananatic is a rewarding platform that allows players to earn rewards by testing, reviewing, and playing new games. Users have the exciting opportunity to explore a wide range of games and provide valuable feedback while being rewarded for their efforts.

Whether it’s trying out the latest releases or sharing insights on gaming experiences, Bananatic offers an enjoyable way to earn rewards. Usually, the platform rewards you with bananas (points) which you can redeem for free Amazon gift cards, Steam games, or PayPal money.

All you have to do is sign up, play your preferred games, earn points, and redeem your rewards. The rewards are sent within 48 hours of your win.

3. Become a YouTuber

Apart from earning small rewards from gaming apps, there are many other ways you can get paid to play games at home. This one takes more effort and dedication and is more profitable as well.

If you are an expert in gaming, you can post gaming content on your YouTube channel and earn through it. But first, you’ll have to monetize your channel so that the traffic on your content can bring you some hard cash.

After you’ve gained enough followers, you can create content on any topic you like regarding gaming. You can play games and give critical reviews, guidelines, and tips about mastering the game.

As I mentioned before, there are many new gamers out there who’d love some quality content on the topic.

4. Stream Your Gameplay Online

If you are a regular gamer, you may play certain games exceptionally well. You might also know the tips and tricks to get bonus points or unlock new features.

If so, you can easily stream your gameplay online, and there are ways to profit while doing it.

Either you can upload your videos to your Youtube channel, as we suggested before, or you can stream your gameplay on Twitch.

Twitch is an online platform where gamers meet up and share their gaming techniques, tricks, and expertise with friends across the globe.

Not only will you find an appropriate audience for your streaming on this site, but you can also get paid for it directly through the platform.

That is, once you pass as a legit gaming streamer by crossing a one-hundred-subscribers threshold. For that, you’ll have to create watch-worthy content. You can try by mastering a popular game, displaying humor or an engaging personality, or by playing unique games.

To record your gameplay, you’ll need to invest in some equipment to increase the quality of your videos.

On Twitch, you receive $5 for every subscriber who visits your channel, once you’ve reached the monetization stage.

That’s good money to begin working for if you’re interested in this field. It will take some effort to establish yourself. But, once you’ve made it, you might be able to think of gaming as your primary source of income.

See Related: How to Make Money on Steam

5. Start a Gaming Blog

Gaming journalism or blogging is a genre that’s rapidly gaining popularity online. Opportunities are there if you’ve got the expertise for it.

Mainly, all you have to do is use your gaming knowledge to help others master their gaming techniques and benefit from your experience.

However, it’s not that easy. You’ll have to invest time to create good write-ups and invest financially to purchase an excellent hosting service for yourself.

This way, you can earn from your experience without having to establish your very own platform. Start your blog now for only $3.95/month with Bluehost.

Your blog can focus on a single game and discuss mastering it with tips and secrets. Apart from that, you can give out news updates on the gaming industry or provide gaming product reviews.

Besides earning from a blog hosting service, you can make money by setting up affiliate links. You can recommend gaming gear like consoles and other accessories and make some profit by advertising brand products.

It’s actually pretty easy to start a website in today’s age. Here’s a tutorial to help you set up your site in no time.

You may be thinking, creating your own site is too much of a hassle just for a side hustle. Instead, you can become a freelance writer and post blogs for existing gaming journalism sites.

See Related: 10 Ways to Get Paid to Listen to Music

6. Sell Your Gaming Account

Have you ever reached a point while gaming where you’ve collected an insane amount of coins, badges, gaming currency, lives, or points? You may be thinking that income is restricted to in-game use only but actually, it isn’t!

You can make money online by selling your account credentials to people who want it. Believe me, there’s a huge market for gaming accounts online.

Sites like PlayerAuctions let people who’ve beaten various games cash in on their hard work by finding the highest bidder for it.

There’s no limit to the types of game accounts you can sell online. You can find bidders for everything, from action to sports games.

You can sell your account credentials on eBay as well. Yes, it’s easy to create a seller profile on the website, and you can even reach people who’re clueless about the video game accounts market.

But, on eBay, you’ll have to set up a fixed price for your account. This way, you may not always get the best price.

See Related: 13 Ways to Make Money Online Without a Website (or Blog!)

7. Monetize Your Gaming Server

Now, you can get paid to play video games at home if you are willing to invest some money. All you have to do is create your own game server.

You can buy a server to host games like Minecraft, Clan, or Guild at a monthly hosting price. Sites like Enjinn let you buy gaming servers and charge players to compensate for the amount you spend in the long run.

Besides that, if you’re an exceptional gamer, you can find sponsors for your server as well. This way, you can earn smoothly from every player that visits your server.

You can even display ads on your server and get affiliate profit from the advertisers. However, monetizing your server is tricky because compromising the game’s integrity is against the rules.

Just make sure you read the guidelines properly before starting off.

See Related: How to Make Money Leaving Your Computer Running

8. Play Games On Trial

There are many new games pumped out every day. The problem is, no one wants to try those games unless they are worth it. Developers need people to test their game repeatedly to see what it lacks.

Most games go through lots of developmental stages to help refine the experience, and that’s where you come in.

Developers hire players to play and identify any defects or glitches in their games. With this, they can get an honest opinion from a player’s point of view and check if the game will work well for the masses.

As a game tester, you’ll get a list of aspects that the developer wants you to keep an eye out for while playing the game. It’s mostly straightforward, but it can get tiring if you play for long hours.

Look at it this way: if you’re testing an action game like Mortal Kombat, you’ll have to play all the characters against one another to see how they work. Combined, that equals almost 8000 matches.

So, this job is mainly for people with good analysis and concentration skills.

To find game-testing gigs, you can look at platforms like PlaytestCloud or ErliBird. Here, you can choose the games you want to play and start earning for the time you spend.

Furthermore, if you want to make a living out of playtesting, you can even apply for a position at gaming research companies. It requires more effort than signing up on an app.

You’ll have to send in your application, appear for interviews, and collect some prior experience before jumping in.

See Related: Ways to Make Money on Steam

More Ways to Make Money Gaming

The gaming industry is huge! Subsequently, the earning opportunities go beyond just playing games. Here are several more options you can make money in the gaming industry.

9. Selling Retro Games and Equipment

Selling retro games and equipment can also be a lucrative venture for gaming enthusiasts. With a thriving market for vintage gaming items, there is a demand for rare retro games and gaming equipment from the past. If you’ve been in the gaming industry for a long time, you could sell what you already have or look for more items from friends and other gamers.

Collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay good money for these nostalgic treasures, creating an opportunity for sellers to capitalize on their valuable collections. Whether it’s classic consoles, vintage cartridges, or rare gaming accessories, tapping into this area can yield substantial returns. You can use Declutter to sell your items.

10. Offer Technical Support

Technical support professionals also make good money in the gaming industry. So, if you have the skills, you can also reap big here. These professionals help gamers to troubleshoot and resolve issues with their gaming hardware or software.

From assisting with installation and setup to diagnosing and fixing technical glitches, your skills will be in high demand. And the best thing is you can set your own prices for your services.

You can also take this job as a full-time gig and get paid the average salary for technical support professionals, which is around $44,000 annually.

11. Video Game Journalist

Are you a passionate gamer who is into journalism? Why not make money from your passion?

Video game journalists report on the latest trends, releases, and developments in the gaming world for various media outlets. Their insightful articles and reports are published in various media outlets, such as gaming websites, magazines, and newspapers.

So, how much can you earn from this?

According to ZipRecruiter, you can expect to take home around $122,357/year or $59/hour.

12. Video Game Developer

The work of a video game developer involves designing, coding, and creating video games from scratch or collaborating with a team. And if you seek a lucrative way to make money in the gaming industry, this could be an ideal choice.

From conceptualizing captivating gameplay mechanics to developing intricate storylines, video game developers immerse players in immersive and interactive experiences. This makes them quite an important tool in the gaming industry. And, of course, the pay is enticing.

A video game developer can take home an average annual pay of $83,700 annually. If that sounds appealing enough, you can visit sites like Game Developer Jobs, Glassdoor, or Game Dev Jobs.

13. Sharpen Your Saw

A great option to get paid to play games is to become a pro gamer yourself. That’s because it doesn’t involve anything other than mastering your own gameplay. But, to become a pro gamer, you’ll have to invest both time and money.

Most importantly, there’s no straight way or guideline you can follow to become a pro. You just have to keep on practicing and have faith in your passion.

You can start by attending online gaming competitions. Through these competitions, you’ll get good exposure to the gaming industry and a chance to increase your knowledge about pro-gaming.

Remember, you won’t win every competition you take part in. You might not win any for the first few months of trying. However, if you carry on consistently, you can come out as a winner, which means a substantial monetary reward.

Once you start a winning streak, you can become a viable contender and make a living out of gaming.

The path is steep, but it’s an excellent way for someone who wants to make gaming their primary source of income.

See Related: 11 Ways to Get Paid to Watch Ads

14. Become a Customer Service Representative for a Gaming Site

Yup, you can help out people playing your favorite games through the game itself. You can become a customer service provider for a gaming site. We know what you’re thinking: you’ll need to know about customer support before you can begin.

That’s not the case. If you’re a frequent player and have good knowledge of the game, you can easily apply for the job. For example, online gaming websites like Blizzard have in-game advisors who help players and answer queries while they play.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have customer skills at all. But it’s an acquired skill, so if you’re passionate about gaming, it’ll come naturally to you.

You can even consider doing an internship before you apply.

See Related: 9 Ways Get Paid to Post Ads

Final Thoughts: Ways to Get Paid to Play Games

Who would’ve thought there were so many exciting ways to earn money while gaming? In a nutshell, you can start by playing games on a reward site and make some passive income from your everyday screen time.

After that, if you think gaming is the way you want to go, you can improve your gaming skills and invest in yourself to take up a more profitable gaming path.

Remember, you’ll have to work hard and prove your worth at some point to establish yourself in the industry.

Otherwise, you can also relax, enjoy yourself, and earn through your usual gaming routine.

If you’re finding it difficult to choose an option, you can combine some of the strategies like blogging and YouTubing to distribute your content more widely.

In the end, it’s all about your creativity and productivity. The trick is to be consistent. Are you ready to get paid to play games? Good luck!

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