Let’s be honest—many of us have likely wasted quite a bit of time playing games online. Whether it is crushing candy or chasing fictitious coins, it can be easy to get sucked into the game. But what if you could actually “cash in” on your gaming time?
Online Games as a Side Hustle
There are real online games that actually pay you money! They are not necessarily a guaranteed paycheck and usually won’t make you rich, but if you are spending that time online anyway, then you might as well get a few bucks on the side! Here’s a rundown of online games that actually pay you cash — and what to know before you start playing.
1. Pawns.app
This platform has plenty of online games that pay real money in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or PayPal top-ups. They offer payouts starting as low as $5. The games mostly require you to spend a specified amount of time on a game or reach certain levels.
2. Swagbucks Live
Swagbucks Live is a live trivia game show you can play on your phone. Players answer a series of multiple-choice questions while competing to win a share of a cash prize.
While you may not necessarily win the full cash prize, they often give smaller prizes just for playing. Swagbucks is a legitimate platform with a long history of paying users for doing simple tasks online and has paid out millions.
3. Mistplay
This Android-only alternative rewards you for downloading and trying out new games. While you won’t make a fortune, it’s a fun way to test out some new games and earn little gift cards for places like Amazon, Google Play, or Starbucks.
4. InboxDollars
On this popular rewards site, you can earn cash for watching videos, completing surveys, etc., and, yes, playing games too. Partner games on the site will give you cash payouts or entries into cash sweepstakes — a nice way to earn cash prizes! It is great for multitaskers who can accomplish various types of online tasks!
5. Blackout Bingo
Games like Blackout Bingo allow you to play a head-to-head match or a tournament. You will be charged an entry fee, and the winner takes some of, if not all of, the prize pool.
These games use skill-based matchmaking. What does this mean? It means you will always play against someone who is in the same arena as you. If you’re already decent at classic games and want a little extra fun, this may be a good option for you. It is essential, however, to play responsibly, as most of these games resemble gambling.
6. Second Life
Second Life is a fully immersive virtual world where you can make real money. You can sell virtual property, clothes, or services to other users and cash out on that. Some people have made a full-time income by selling in Second Life.
7. Player-to-Player Marketplace
While this is not a game per se, it happens within several of your favorites. Certain online video games have real-money economies around them.
You can sell rare skins, weapons, or even whole accounts to other players via third-party marketplace websites. This isn’t always approved by the game developers, so there is some level of risk. But if you’re already playing for the rare loot, it can’t hurt to find out what it’s worth.
8. Axie Infinity
Games like Axie Infinity pioneered the “play-to-earn” model, where players earn cryptocurrency for their time playing. That said, be cautious, as many of these crypto games are volatile. Nevertheless, they have opened an official new chapter in being paid for playing.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
Be cautious of any game that promises high payouts for low effort. If games are asking for high amounts of money upfront or asking for personal information without a structure to protect yourself, avoid them.
Most of the cash will be very little, at least at first. Treat this as a hobby or a form of mild livelihood, not a salary. Lastly, make sure you understand your payout thresholds, fees, and the withdrawal timeline before you get invested in a game.
Final Thoughts
Receiving a paycheck to play games used to seem like an impossible dream — now it’s just the regular hustle for a lot of people. Whether you are answering trivia questions or competing against strangers in solitaire tournaments, there is a little something for every type of gamer. Just remember to have fun, be smart, and play responsibly. After all, if you are going to game, why not get paid for it?