Yes you absolutely can make money playing games online. But before you imagine quitting your job and spending your life leveling up in your pajamas let’s set some realistic expectations. While you won’t become a millionaire overnight there are legitimate ways to earn side income or even a full-time living by playing games—if you’re smart about it
Whether you’re casually swiping on your phone or diving into competitive multiplayer games there’s a growing number of platforms apps and career paths that pay real money for your playtime
Here’s what you need to know and how to get started
1. Understand the Types of Money-Making Games
There are different ways to earn through gaming and not all of them involve just playing. Here’s a breakdown
Reward-based games
These pay you in points that can be exchanged for gift cards or cash
Examples: Mistplay Swagbucks Live InboxDollars
Competitive games
Earn by entering tournaments or earning rewards in competitive modes
Examples: Fortnite Apex Legends PUBG
Play-to-earn crypto games
Games that reward players with crypto or NFTs for in-game achievements
Examples: The Sandbox Gods Unchained
Streaming and content creation
Earn through ad revenue donations sponsorships and affiliate links
Examples: Twitch YouTube Kick
Game testing and feedback
Get paid to test games and provide feedback during development
Examples: PlaytestCloud BetaFamily
In-game economies and item selling
Sell rare items skins or accounts on secondary marketplaces
Examples: CS:GO Dota 2 World of Warcraft
2. Start with Reward-Based Gaming Apps
If you’re just getting started the easiest entry point is mobile apps that pay small amounts for gameplay
Popular choices
Mistplay – Earn points for playing Android games and redeem for gift cards
InboxDollars – Offers cash for completing tasks including playing games
Swagbucks Live – Live trivia games with cash prizes
Skillz – Hosts competitive games like solitaire and bubble shooter with prize pools
Tip
Don’t expect huge earnings here. These apps are better for casual use and can earn you a few dollars a week while having fun
3. Get Into Competitive or Esports Games
If you’re good at competitive games and enjoy fast-paced play you can explore esports or paid tournaments
How to start
Join platforms like Battlefy or FACEIT for tournaments
Use GamerSaloon or Players’ Lounge to compete for cash
Follow your favorite game’s community for local or online competitions
Tip
Start with free tournaments to practice and build confidence
Stream your gameplay to grow an audience while you compete
4. Explore Play-to-Earn and Crypto Games
Blockchain-based games let you earn tokens or NFTs which can be traded or sold for real money
Popular titles
The Sandbox – Build and sell virtual assets in a decentralized world
Gods Unchained – Free-to-play trading card game with Ethereum rewards
Axie Infinity – Play to breed and battle creatures with real-world value
Tip
Do your research. The crypto market is volatile and not all games are sustainable
Use a secure wallet like MetaMask and never spend more than you can afford to lose
5. Stream Your Gameplay or Create Gaming Content
Some of the biggest money-makers in gaming earn through content creation not gameplay itself
Platforms to try
Twitch – Live stream your games with chat interaction
YouTube Gaming – Post highlights tips and walkthroughs
Kick – Newer streaming platform with better revenue splits
How to make money
Ads and sponsorships
Subscriptions and donations
Affiliate marketing (promoting gaming gear or games)
Tip
You don’t need fancy gear to start—just a webcam mic and consistent schedule
Use OBS Studio to stream for free
6. Test Games Before They’re Released
Game developers need real players to test features spot bugs and provide honest feedback
Sites that pay
PlaytestCloud – For mobile games
BetaFamily – Test apps and give reviews
GameTester – Offers testing gigs for various platforms
Tip
Be descriptive and honest in your feedback to increase your chances of getting more invites
7. Sell Skins In-Game Items or Accounts
Some games have valuable in-game items that players will pay real cash for
Where to sell
SkinCashier or CS.Money – For CS:GO skins
PlayerAuctions – Accounts currency and rare items
Reddit gaming marketplaces – Find niche buyers
Tip
Always check a platform’s rules. Some games ban item selling or account transfers so understand the risks before you dive in
Realistic Expectations
Let’s be clear—not everyone makes big money playing games. Most reward apps earn pennies at a time. Streaming takes time to build an audience. Esports is competitive and crypto games have risks
But if you enjoy gaming and treat it as a part-time hustle not a get-rich-quick plan it can absolutely earn you some real extra cash. Some gamers do turn this into full-time careers but almost all of them started by putting in the time learning the platforms and building from the ground up
Useful Tools and Links
Mistplay – https://www.mistplay.com
Swagbucks Live – https://www.swagbucks.com/live
InboxDollars – https://www.inboxdollars.com
Skillz – https://www.skillz.com
PlaytestCloud – https://www.playtestcloud.com
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv
YouTube Gaming – https://www.youtube.com/gaming
GamerSaloon – https://www.gamersaloon.com
PlayerAuctions – https://www.playerauctions.com
OBS Studio – https://obsproject.com
Final Thoughts
You can definitely make money playing games online but success depends on choosing the right path and sticking with it. Whether you go for mobile rewards start streaming or explore competitive gaming the key is to stay consistent learn the platforms and play smart. Use the tools available to you experiment with a few methods and have fun along the way
If you love gaming there’s no better time to turn your hobby into a small income stream—or maybe even something bigger
