If you’ve ever dreamed of how to make money playing games, you’re just steps away from making that dream a reality!
Strategically playing games can be a great way to make money while having fun. This list includes creative options for all skill levels, from casual players to passionate gamers.
Discover the best play-to-earn games, as well as unique options to monetize your gaming prowess.
What this list does not include – gambling mobile games! While heavily advertised online and beyond, these games are bad news. If you have to pay to play, that’s a big red flag and a surefire way to lose money over time. 🚩
Stick with the options below to make money playing games – no risk to your wallet involved.
Easy Ways to Make Money Playing Games
These options are perfect for casual players looking to earn a little extra cash. They usually have lower earning potential than other options, but their ease is well worth it. No strategy or planning required – just play these games and reap the rewards!
1. Play-to-Earn Apps
For anyone searching for casual games that’ll earn you money in your free time, these game apps are perfect for you. They provide great brain breaks, help de-stress, and can pass the time.
Play-to-earn apps are the easiest way to make money playing games. The process is simple:
- Download the app
- Play mobile games
- Earn rewards based on time playing, downloads, or reaching milestones
- Over time, you’ll receive points that can be cashed in for prizes!
Rewards often come in the form of gift cards, though some may have a direct deposit option. You won’t make money quickly through these apps, though you can maximize your earnings through sign-up bonuses, referrals, and making leaderboards.
Be sure to try several of these apps to take advantage of different bonuses and earn points faster.
Here are a few of the most popular play-to-earn apps, and how you can earn points on their platforms:
- Freecash – Games and surveys
- Swagbucks – Games, surveys, shopping, and watching videos
- Justplay – Mobile games
- Mistplay – Android games
- Google Play – Games and in-app promotions
- MyPoints – Games, shopping, and surveys
- KashKick – Games and surveys with real cash payouts
- InboxDollars – Pays cash for playing games and completing offers like reading emails
- Eureka Surveys – Games and surveys with a $5 withdrawal limit
- Branded Offers – Download games and apps, complete actions, and get paid
2. Game Testing
Another fun way to earn money playing games is to test new games. You’ll make money by playing the game, recording your screen, and providing feedback, usually via voice recording.
Gaming fans can also use this opportunity to download free games, with a few bugs, of course.
A beginner-friendly way to enter the testing space is through sites like PlaytestCloud, UserTesting, and BetaFamily. You’re paid a small fee per review, usually between $5 and $20.
For more consistent income, you can be hired by gaming companies to play unfinished games, report bugs, and provide detailed feedback.
While this role may get repetitive (replaying the same level 200 times could lean that way), it’s an opportunity to earn an hourly rate that’s higher than casual testing.
Make Money Playing Games by Creating Content
You can increase your earning potential by filming your gameplay. Content creation is really popular in the gaming space, with several monetizable platforms available. Earn money while others watch you play through in-app gifts, embedded advertisements, sponsorships, and more.
3. Twitch Streaming
Twitch is a huge platform where users stream their gameplay and interact with their audience via real-time chat.
You can receive payouts for your streams through their subscription model. While viewers are welcome to watch for free, they can subscribe to their favorite streamers for $5.99 per month. As that streamer, you’ll earn a cut of that revenue.
Subscribers receive limited ads, access to sub-only chats, a subscriber badge by their username, and various other perks.
Beyond subscriptions, you can also monetize through “Bits” during gameplay, which are essentially small tips.
Established creators can expand with sponsorships, merch opportunities, affiliate links, and more!
4. YouTube Gaming
YouTube is a great gaming platform, either through livestreams or pre-recorded videos.
Members of the YouTube Partner Program can earn money through ads on their videos. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the last 12 months.
There’s a rich opportunity for gaming content, including Let’s Plays, highlight clips, walkthroughs, and shorts.
You don’t need to be the best player to make money on YouTube – charismatic commentary goes a long way in the space!
5. TikTok
Like Twitch and YouTube, TikTok comes with its own gaming audience.
You can monetize gaming videos through their partnership program, earn gifts on Live, and earn bonuses through TikTok subscriptions.
Creative Ways to Make Money Playing Games
These methods go beyond streaming and gameplay. Check out these creative ways to use your passion for gaming to make money.
6. Write Gaming Guides
Have you ever played a really difficult game and needed to look up some hints? Gaming guides are a lifesaver for anyone stuck on a difficult level or trying to find a secret side quest.
You can earn extra money by starting your own gaming blog and creating guides for your favorite games. Monetize your blog through sponsored posts, in-post advertisements, and affiliate links.
Selling advanced guide e-books is also a possibility, though be careful with copyright law. Companies like Nintendo have strict content usage policies, while others are much more lenient with creators.
As always, make sure you’re sharing original content and commentary to stay within fair-use practices.
7. Sell Game Items
Dedicated gamers recognize the worth of a rare game item. You can actually sell items within games, with categories ranging from weapon skins to loot boxes. This is common in games like Counter-Strike 2, Second Life, and Roblox.
Some warnings when selling game items:
- Beware scammers, fake payments, and chargebacks
- Sales aren’t permitted within some games
- You risk stolen items and accounts
- Account bans for improper sales/trading
8. Competitive Gaming
Talented gamers have the opportunity to go pro, with competitive gaming tournaments held around the world.
Start small with online tournaments to build your credentials. Then move to community leagues, and eventually, cash cups!
Battlefy is a good platform to get started.
How Much Money Can You Make Playing Games?
Your earning potential varies widely depending on the platform you use.
With regular use, earnings can range from $50 to $200 (sometimes more if you play a lot) a month from game testing or pay-to-earn apps. Also, note that many apps pay through gift cards rather than direct transfer. You’re still earning real money, but it must be redeemed via a partnership gift card.
Common rewards include Walmart, Starbucks, and Amazon gift cards. Some apps may also support PayPal cash or Visa gift cards.
You’ll find higher earning potential through content creation, though that will take time as you grow your audience.
Beginners can expect minimal earnings from tips or affiliate links, while larger creators can earn hundreds or thousands per month. The amount you earn is directly linked to follower counts, the diversity in your revenue sources, and the consistency with which you post.
Is it Worth Playing Games to Make Money?
Play-to-earn games are a fun way to kill time, de-stress, and make small amounts of money in return. While it won’t replace your day job, it can be a unique way to earn some extra cash.
Content creation is entirely different – it requires a significant time commitment to grow your audience and to start monetizing. If you’re passionate about gaming, go for it! You never know how your passion could turn into profit.
What is the Best Way to Make Money Playing Games?
Expand your earning potential by downloading a few different play-to-earn apps. Focus on 2-3 to avoid burning out.
Most platforms come with bonuses for new players or a referral program that will help you earn points fast. Take advantage of point events like double points days.
Finally, prioritize milestone-based rewards (for example, reach level 10 to earn 100 points). These rewards tend to have the best payouts.
Gaming Side Hustles: Red Flags to Avoid
If a company is advertising that you’ll get rich by playing their games, avoid them. Hard stop.
Rewards that seem too good to be true always are. Gambling and Bingo apps are common perpetrators.
Watch out for:
- In-app purchases
- Requiring personal information
- Entry fees
- Hidden fees in the fine print
Most play-to-earn apps pay out through gift cards and don’t require any banking information. PayPal or Visa gift cards are safer options than direct deposit.
When in doubt, consult online reviews. You can also use ScamAdviser to check for listed warnings.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Money Playing Games
The best side hustles are already intuitive to your lifestyle. So if you love playing games, you should be making extra income along the way!
Interested in more ways to make extra money? Check out this post on 15 Second Income Opportunities to Boost Your Income.
