Earn Money and Get Paid to Play Games

Want to play games AND make real money? Here are 16 apps that pay you to play games online.

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Play Games and Get Paid

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Sometimes you just want to play. But your wallet and your friends are telling you that you've got to hustle.

It can start feel like life is all about money.

Good news is, fun time doesn't have to be wasted time.

While there are scams out there, and some games that pay so little as to not be worth your time, we've found the ones that will give you the most bang for your buck. Here's a list of the best online games that pay you to play.

1. Swagbucks - Best Online Games

Earn Swagbucks for things you already do: shopping, watching videos, answering surveys—and, of course, games.

screenshot of swagbucks

You can buy tokens to play lots of well-known titles like Angry Birds, Bejeweled, and Scrabble Cubes.

Redeem your earnings in gift cards to well-known retailers or cash. Games aren't the highest-paying activity on Swagbucks, but if you were going to play anyway, you might as well get paid for it.

Swagbucks is free to play, and open to anyone age 13 and up, which makes it a great option for teens to make money online. Plus, there's a good chance that you can play even if you live outside of North America. Earn an easy bonus Swagbuck each day by answering their daily poll.

Best For
Earning cash while playing fun games. There are various games available, so you can pick and choose.

What You Can Earn

• Earnings average out around $1 per hour.
  
• Payout: Paypal, Gift Cards, and e-Gift Cards

$10 Signup Bonus

Member must "Activate" the Bonus in the Swag Ups section of your account. Bonus value is earned in the form of points, called SB. Get a 1000 SB bonus, which is equivalent to $10 in value, when you spend at least $25 at a store featured in Swagbucks.com/Shop. You must receive a minimum of 25 SB for this purchase, which you must complete within 30 days of registration. MyGiftCardsPlus.com and travel purchases do not qualify.

Click Here to Sign Up Now

2. Inboxdollars - Earn with Paypal

Want your earnings deposited directly into your checking or savings? Check out Inboxdollars. They've got over 30 free arcade games, like solitaire and sudoku, which you were already doing when your boss's back was turned.

Screenshot of InboxDollars

They're connected to the GSN (Game Show Network) as well, which means you can play in tournaments and get cash back through your Inboxdollars account.

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address to use Inboxdollars. While it does have a relatively high minimum to request payment at $15,^[1] the company has an A Rating from the Better Business Bureau, so you can be confident that your money and your time are in good hands.

Best for
Earning cash directly with PayPal. You can choose from their 30 arcade games and play on your mobile or desktop.

What You Can Earn

• Earn $10 a day to start, or between 25 cents and $5 per activity.
  
• Payouts: Paypal or eCard (Gift Cards)

$5 Signup Bonus

Click Here to Get $5 Bonus

• Get paid to take surveys, play video games, watch videos
• Cash out to PayPal or gift cards

3. Mistplay - On Android Only

Play games and chat with friends on your Android with Mistplay. They have super popular titles like Rise of Kingdoms and Coin Master.

Credit: Mistplay

Get paid in gift cards for Amazon, Visa, or the Google Play Store, among others, and enter to win larger prizes like legit game consoles.

Sadly, Mistplay isn't available in the iOS App Store just yet, but you can sign the waitlist on their website.

Anyone over 18 years old can use Mistplay. But if they find out you're younger and have lied about your age, your rewards will be rescinded.

Best For
Mistplay is best for android users who want a shot at winning actual prizes. You can cover a good chunk of your snacks with said winnings. So, if you're android user looking for something to do in your pastime, Mistplay can be fun for you.

What You Can Earn

• Between $10-$20 per week
  
• Payouts: Gift Cards, Google Play Store Credit, iTunes Credit

Download Mistplay

Click Here to Download Mistplay

4. Truist Long Game - iOS Games

This mobile app is designed to reward you for saving money. As it says on their site: "Save money, play games, save more."

You must have Truist Online Banking credentials and an eligible Truist checking or savings account. Connect your Truist personal deposit account to the app and earn coins by meeting savings goals and answering trivia. You can use your coins to play games for chances to win real money.

If you don't have a Truist account yet, you can opt into their 24-hour trial before opening or linking your account. However, you cannot redeem all cash wins during the trial.

Best For
If you want to put the money you earn towards savings, Truist Long Game is for you.

What You Can Earn

• Payouts: Bank Deposits

6. Bingo Mania - Play on PC

Bingo Mania is one of the first real money Bingo sites on the net.

They've got slots, video poker, table games, lottery games too. The site, available on desktop and mobile, offers card prices from $.01 to $5, with reported winnings as high as $27,000.

Their games aren't free to play, but as of writing they offer a $100 sign up bonus.

Remember: this is gambling, so you must be over 18, and you should never risk more than you can afford.

Best For
This game is best for those who don't mind paying for an app. But it does give you the chance to earn a considerable amount of money. It definitely isn't for someone just looking to spend their spare time with something.

What You Can Earn

• Payouts start at a minimum of $100 and go up to $2500 a week, but your actual winnings are up to chance
  
• Payouts: Check

7. Swagbucks LIVE - Mobile Play

Formerly known as Swag IQ, Swagbucks LIVE is another gameshow-style app. Take advantage of your knowledge of trivia to earn real money rewards. You have 10 seconds each to answer 10 multiple choice questions.

Compete for prizes of (typically) $500-$1,000, but sometimes more, and earn Swagbucks in the process. It's worth noting that even if you win, the prize is split between all of the other winners, too.

Best For
Swagbucks Live is for you if you want to earn good money and enjoy trivia. Since it's a game show type of app, if you already enjoy them, you can give it a try.

What You Can Earn

• Earn around 5 Swagbucks per game, in addition to your cut of the prize money if you win.
  
• Payouts: Gift Cards and Paypal Cash

8. Brain Battle - Google Play and iTunes Store Games

Lots of free-to-play games make their money in advertising. Play Brain Battle and you have a chance to take a cut. (You don't even have to win.)

All you have to do is play any of their free games to earn tickets, which you can enter into drawings for cash prizes.

Just download their app on the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store, play, and enter to win.

Best For
Brain Battle is for people who don't want to feel like they're wasting time. Even when they don't win. So, if you're generally a lucky person, try it out. You can get tickets just by playing and use them to win cash prizes.

What You Can Earn

• 10k are worth 10 cents, as well as entering for cash prizes, which can go as high as $10,000
  
• Payouts: Paypal

9. Bananatic - For STEAM Gamers

Get access to new games before anyone else with Bananatic. Play, and provide helpful feedback to developers who then use your insights to make their games better.

Earn "Bananas" as you play and exchange them for game keys on STEAM, game hardware, gift cards, and more.

The range of games available is quite impressive, with dozens, if not hundreds of titles to choose from, many of which you've heard of.

Best For
Bananatic is made for STEAM gamers. If you already game a lot and want to try your luck with an app, do so with Bananatic. You'll find many games you may be a fan of. Since you're already spending a considerable time gaming, it won't cost you a thing.

What You Can Earn

• Most activities will earn you 100 bananas. A $5 Amazon gift card costs 2500^[2]
  
• Payouts: Paypal, Gift Cards, STEAM Wallet

10. GSN Cash Games - Play On Your Phone

With GSN Cash Games, play games against other players to win real money.

Now, these games aren't free to play, but when you make a deposit you can earn Bonus Bucks (not redeemable for cash), which can be used to enter into cash tournaments.

Thanks to their "matchmaking" algorithm, you're matched against players of comparable skill, so you always have a chance of winning. Choose from games like Solitaire Rush, Bejeweled 2, and Wheel of Fortune, to name a few.

Best For
This game is best for competitive players who want to test their skills. You can choose from a range of games and compete with players who have the same skill set.

What You Can Earn

• Don't expect any sort of consistent income from GSN Cash Games. There's always the chance you'll win a large prize, but as with all gambling, you'll probably lose more often than you win.
  
• Payouts: Bank Deposit

11. MyPoints - Complete Surveys

If you're not a huge fan of gaming, but still spend a considerable time surfing, then you might like MyPoints.

MyPoints pays you to complete surveys. Also, you can get rewards for buying stuff online at over 2,000 retailers, such as Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, etc.

You can also play free games and watch videos. All billable time spent doing fun things.

Best For
People who want the whole package but don't mind being paid little for it. With MyPoints, you get some kind of reward or cash for doing things you might do anyway.

What You Can Earn

• Cash or gift cards by completing surveys, playing games, completing purchases, or watching videos.
  
• Payouts: Withdraw money or gift cards at any time.

Earn $10 Amazon Card with Your First Purchase

Click Here to Join MyPoints

12. GameHag - For Teen Gamers

GameHag has a great library of games and is aimed at more avid gamers. You have to be at least a teen to play.

You get to play lots of fun games. Their library consists of 3D graphic games, puzzles, virtual reality games, and many more. These games will usually take about 20 minutes each. And you can also make youtube videos or fill out surveys for extra points.

Best For
Gamers who game daily either way. You can turn some of that time into money. Plus, GameHag has an endless library and you'll never be bored.

What You Can Earn

• Trade in your points for cryptocurrency gems.
  
• Payouts: Turn your gems into SteamWallet money.

14. PCH Games - Chance to Win Real Money

PCH Games offers a ton of games with hefty prizes.

Some of the games you can play are solitaire, slots, and mahjong. You can choose from their extensive library, and get all kinds of prizes. You can make a great deal of money, and even put it towards savings.

Best For
If you like instant payouts for your games, then PCH games is for you.

What You Can Earn

• Access to scratch cards and instant games where you can win up to $2,500.
  
• Payouts: Win cash as a prize you can withdraw.

15. VeryDice - Play with Luck

VeryDice might be the easiest game to play out of all on this list.

All you have to do is roll a dice and wait for the result. You can register for free and you'll get your 50 first free rolls. With each roll, you get a number of "tickets" which you can then use to get gifts.

Best For
If you want a free game to mindlessly tap away with a chance of winning real money, this one's for you. It is a game of pure luck and you only need to roll a dice.

What You Can Earn

• Win real-life gadgets and electronics
  
• Payouts: Redeem your tickets for prizes that come with free shipping.

16. Solitaire Cube - Prize Tournaments

If you're a fan of solitaire, you're in luck. This game lets you earn money for it.

With Solitaire Cube you get to play with other players in real-time. The game will set you up with opponents that match your skill set. You can also enter prize tournaments.

It's easy to get started with, since you will always have opponents who are within your range. A minimum deposit of $10 is required.

Best For
Solitaire fans. If you already enjoy playing this game in your free time, it's a great way to earn some extra cash on the side.

What You Can Earn

• Prizes and cash with prize tournaments and head-to-head games with other players.
  
• Payouts: No cashout minimum, but there is a $1.50 fee for any withdrawals under $10.^[3] You can cash out at any time with PayPal.

Other Gaming Apps to Consider

If even this extensive list wasn't enough to quench your thirst for games that pay to play, here are some other fun options to try.

• Pogo
  Earn pre-paid credit cards and merchandise prizes while playing over 50 casual games like Solitaire and Monopoly. Pogo used to offer Jackpot prizes, but the practice was discontinued.

• Golden Hearts Games
  Play a variety of Bingo, card games, and more on Golden Hearts Games, a promotional games platform where players can win real cash prizes and support USA charities. Earn cash prizes or digital gift cards from popular retailers, online merchants, and restaurants across the country.

• Paid Game Player
  Paid Game Player offers puzzles, arcade, word & trivia, and casino-style games. It's unlikely you'll make a lot of money playing here, but you can earn for taking surveys, completing offers, or clicking on ads.

• Second Life
  Second Life is more of an online sandbox than a game. There is no specific goal, other than to have fun. It's not the first place you should look if you want to make money playing games, but it is possible to turn your creativity into real money.

• Big Time Cash
  Play from over 600 games and earn tickets to enter drawings for cash prizes. The more tickets you get, the more chances you have to win.

Other Ways To Earn Money By Playing Games

If you want to make money by gaming, but gaming apps aren't your thing, try these out.

Participate in Big Game Tournaments
If you're good at gaming, many popular games will organize their own tournaments. Here you'll have the chance of winning big. You can start out by competing in local tournaments and work your way up to the top.

YouTube Gamer
Many gamers have seen crazy success rates by showcasing their abilities on YouTube. Though this option takes more time and effort, many have made millions from it. It can even convert to a full-time job.

Streaming Twitch
Become a Twitch affiliate to live stream your gameplay with fans and subscribers. Once you build a successful channel with a reliable audience, you can turn this hobby into ad revenue.

Professional Game Tester
As a professional game tester, you can do it as a full-time job. If you're an avid gamer with good attention to detail, then this is a great opportunity for you.

Game testing is vital to companies and the ultimate success of a new game. So, jobs as a professional game testers are abundant.

Farm In-App / In-Game Currency
Many people don't have the time or willingness to farm in-game currency. You can earn prizes in the game and proceed to sell them to players for real money.

There is a big market for this, so it's a good chance to earn some extra cash.

What Apps Should You Avoid?

Not all promises that you can earn money playing games are legitimate, and some apps and games are actual scams that you ought to avoid. Here's a list of apps and games that you might want to give a wide berth.

Givling
While Givling, another rapid-fire trivia game, appears to be a legitimate place to win money at first glance, the path to success may be more costly than the developers would have you believe.

Winning with Givling requires being at the top of their queue every two weeks when the jackpot is awarded. While there are free ways to move up--like playing games and watching ads--it seems much of your chances depend on spending money. And even that's no guarantee.

Any app that incentivizes you to pay to win is gambling at best, and should not be considered a viable way to earn money.

Lucky Day
While Lucky Day appears popular when you search online, the app appears to be employing suspicious practices in order to prevent users from reaching the $10 minimum required to cash out.

Some users have reported getting stuck at the $9.90 mark with no way to advance, and even asked to spend money in order to increase their chances of earning. Further, according to reviews, users who do manage to achieve the $10 minimum may suddenly find all of the gift cards out of stock in the online store.

When in doubt, follow the reviews of other users. If they are overly rosy, but seem like they weren't written by real people, or all five-star, but full of criticism, it is likely because the apps are attempting to cheat the system. And remember, any game that asks you to pay to win is either a casino in disguise, or an outright scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions answered about earning money playing games online. Not all games are the same, and not all are transparent about their policies, but based on some common metrics and best practices, you should be able to judge for yourself whether a game is worth your valuable time.

How long does it take to get paid?

• Swagbucks - 10 Days^[4]
  
• Inboxdollars - 10 Days^[5]
  
• Mistplay - 48 Hours^[6]
  
• Truist Long Game - 24 Hours^[7]
  
• Bingo Mania - Payouts are processed every Monday^[8]

How do I know if a game is legit?

If you're wondering whether a game or site is legit, there are a number of clues to look for.

Do reviews sound like they were written by real people?
Positive reviews on the App Store, the Google Play Store, or the product website are obviously a good sign. But make sure they sound like they were written by actual users—and be sure to check the text.

Some sites will incentivize their users to give 5-star ratings. But the reviews themselves may be negative.

How many downloads are there?
If the number of downloads is very low, there's a good chance that the game isn't legit. When in doubt, trust your peers. If other people are staying away from a site, you should too.

Are there complaints about payment?
Some sites seem legit, but make it difficult to receive the money you've earned. For example, if the payout minimum is $10, but you hit a mysterious run of bad luck once you've earned $9.90, there's a good chance the game is a scam.

Are there high payout minimums?
If the most you can earn in a day is a couple of dollars, but the minimum payout requirement is excessively high, there is a good chance the site is trying to get your time for free.

Their hope may be you play long enough to earn twenty or thirty dollars, but not enough to cash out. This would mean they get your time and effort at no cost.

Are there hidden subscription costs?
Some apps are free to start, with frequent or expensive subscription fees that you are intended not to notice on download.

Pay attention to your monthly bills from Apple and Google for unexpected charges. And look carefully at the pricing, even when an app purports to be free.

Are paid games worth it?

That entirely depends on what your goals are. The truth is, if you're just looking to supplement your income or get a little spending money in your free time, paid games are a fun way to do it.

But if when it comes to replacing a proper job, the chances that you are going to be able to earn even close to a livable income are exceedingly small.

Bottom Line

Who doesn't want to earn money while doing something fun? Regardless of what games you're into, there's bound to be something on this list that will help you feel a little better about that downtime everybody says you're wasting.

Whether you want to earn bit by bit with Swagbucks or Inboxdollars, or try to go big with Lucktastic or Bingo Mania, there's something for everyone. Give the games a try, and then use the money to treat yourself.

After all, you've earned it.

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