8 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Play Games Online
Playing games is one of the many ways to make money online. While it isn’t necessarily the most profitable, if you’re already spending time going ham on bingo or honing in on your Tetris skills, why not earn some extra cash for it?
Apps That Allow You to Get Paid for Playing Games:
- Blackout Bingo: Best Google Play Store Bingo Game
- Bingo Cash: Best App Store Bingo Game
- Mistplay: Best for New Games
- InboxDollars: Best for Game Selection
- Kashkick: Best for an Initial Bonus
- Swagbucks: Best for Overall Earning Opportunities
- MyPoints: Best for Earning Gift Cards
- Video Games: Best for Video Game Players
Blackout Bingo
If you’re a big bingo fan, Blackout Bingo will be right up your alley. You’ll compete in bingo games against players around the world, with the winners taking home a cash prize. While earnings vary, users have reported anywhere from $1 to $700+ in earnings (when they win, that is).
App Store Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars
Bingo Cash
Similar to Blackout Bingo, Bingo Cash allows you to compete against players around the world to win gems, which are later converted into cash. It will take some time to earn gems, but several users have reported no issue withdrawing their earnings once they hit the threshold.
App Store Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Bingo Cash isn’t available in the Google Play Store.
Mistplay
Mistplay isn’t a game itself — it’s a mobile app for developers to share their games and get feedback. The more games you play, the more award units you earn. You can then redeem those units for gift cards to Amazon, PayPal, and more.
Mistplay is not available in the Apple App Store.
Google Play Store Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
InboxDollars
InboxDollars is known for their paid survey opportunities, but their paid game opportunities are just as good. The best part? You get $5 right off the bat, just for signing up.
Apple App Store Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kashkick
Kashkick is another platform with several opportunities to make money, from taking surveys to watching videos to playing online games. You’ll need to reach $10 in earnings before you can withdraw, but once you do, it’s a simple cashout process in PayPal. Here's a great video showing how one person made money using Kashkick.
Unfortunately, Kashkick isn’t available in the Apple App Store.
Google Play Store Rating: 3.1 out of 5 stars
Swagbucks
Similar to InboxDollars and Kashkick, Swagbucks allows you to earn money for shopping online, playing video games, searching the web, and answering surveys. According to Swagbucks, the average user makes $2 to $5 per day, or $1,800 per year, although it isn’t clear what percentage of that comes from games alone.
App Store Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
MyPoints
MyPoints allows you to earn points for playing games, shopping online, and taking surveys. The average game earns users 4 points, and you’ll need around 1,600 points to cash out for a $10 gift card.
If you participate in other activities — like scanning receipts from purchases and taking a few surveys — you’ll accumulate points much faster than if you only play games.
App Store Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Play Video Games
If you’re more of a video game person as opposed to a mobile game person, you can still make money by:
- Starting a video game review blog
- Becoming a professional video game tester
- Live streaming video games
These options will take more time to get up and running, but they might be more profitable in the long run.
FAQs
Can You Really Get Paid to Play Games Online?
Yes. There are several apps, like the ones listed above, that allow you to make real money for playing games online. That said, there are several apps that promise payouts but don’t deliver, so be cautious when selecting an app to download.
How Can a Beginner Make Money Online?
Online games are just one way beginners can make money online. You may also enjoy taking surveys, renting out spaces, or selling items you no longer use.
Are There Any Game Apps to Stay Away From?
Our list here is short, and there’s a reason why — most of the platforms that allow you to make money from playing games are either scams, locked behind a paywall, or have seemingly coincidental “bugs” that don’t allow you to withdraw funds.
Before investing time playing the games, read the reviews carefully. Or, stick to the apps listed above — we’ve reviewed them with scrutiny.
Are There Any Risks to Playing Games Online for Money?
Online games can be addicting, so keep a close eye on how much time you spend playing. Be open about your playing habits with those around you to keep yourself accountable.
Some apps may also persuade you to pay upfront for additional features — like more entries or another chance at winning — which can bring you down a never-ending rabbit hole of spending money you might not have. Exercise caution when playing games online, and stay away from spending money on these apps.
