Are you looking for a simple way to make extra money on the side? Believe it or not, you can get paid to play games online in your free time.
This side hustle doesn’t require extensive amounts of time or special skills to earn cash. Some platforms even give you other ways to make money with tasks that take 20 minutes or less.
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How to Make Money Playing Games Online
There are many websites and apps that pay you to play games. You won’t get rich playing games online, but you can earn money doing something you love.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is best known as a survey site and is a terrific platform for making extra money. You can earn money through games you play on your phone or computer.
Each activity earns rewards points known as SBs. Potential payouts depend on the offer terms since you must reach a certain level or achieve specific tasks within a time limit.
Games can earn between $0.50 (50 SBs) and $45 (4,500 SBs). Some games with higher payouts may require in-app purchases.
You can also make money by:
- Answering surveys
- Shopping online
- Watching sponsored videos
- Using their search engine
- Testing new products
- Completing various online tasks
- Referring friends
- Playing online games
Point redemptions start at one dollar for Amazon gift cards (140 SBs). Most gift card and PayPal redemptions require a balance of five dollars (500 SBs).
Trustpilot score: 4.3 out of 5
Read our Swagbucks review to learn about how the platform works.
2. Mistplay
Mistplay lets Android users earn money playing games. Users can browse the available games and earn points by unlocking achievements and levels.
This site can offer more opportunities to play money-earning games than other platforms because it specializes in rewards games.
Most games pay between 20 and 500 points. In-app purchases can earn extra points. There are no additional ways to earn points.
The cashout minimum is 1,500 points ($5) for retail and restaurant gift cards.
Trustpilot score: 2.5 out of 5
3. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is similar to Swagbucks and is an easy way to make real money playing games. There are many free options, such as card games, word games, and strategy games.
Other games require in-app purchases and earn cash rewards, like GSN games.
Members can also earn Scratch & Win instant win tickets by completing multiple activities. These tickets can win bonus cash and other rewards.
Like Swagbucks, you earn money in various ways on the platform, making them one of the best micro task sites to use to do small gigs.
Some of the more popular options to earn money include:
- Downloading coupons
- Watching videos
- Reading sponsored emails sent by InboxDollars
- Taking surveys
InboxDollars lets you redeem your points for gift cards or cash with a $30 minimum threshold. This redemption minimum is higher than most platforms, but you get a $5 bonus when you open an account.
If you don’t want cash, you can redeem points for free Google Play codes or Amazon gift cards.
Trustpilot score: 4.3 out of 5
4. Toluna
Toluna works with reputable companies to learn your opinion about products and services you buy as well as your shopping habits. In addition to offering surveys, the platform also has a Games Center.
Within the Toluna Games Center, there are daily online games and options that show up for only a limited amount of time.
Playing some of these games will help you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards to different retailers of your choice.
You can earn the most points by answering online surveys. Opening an account will help you earn 500 points. You’ll receive 15 points if you do not qualify for a survey.
It’s also possible to earn rewards when buying apps or magazine subscriptions.
One downside to Toluna is they have a higher redemption amount. It takes 30,000 points to equal a $10 gift card.
You can also redeem points for cash that will be paid out via PayPal. The minimum amount of cash you can redeem is $30, which is equal to 90,000 points.
Trustpilot score: 3.7 out of 5
5. InboxPays
InboxPays lets you earn some cash while playing a game in your free time. Payouts vary by the difficulty of the offer.
After completing a game, you can spin a wheel to win extra rewards.
Other ways to earn money include:
- Taking surveys
- Reading sponsored emails
- Printing off coupons to use at the store
- Referring friends
The payout threshold is $50 by PayPal. Gift card rewards are not available.
Trustpilot score: 1.6 out of 5
6. PointClub
PointClub offers various ways to earn cash or free gift cards, including making money online with games.
Surveys are the primary way to earn money with this platform. You can also participate in quizzes and polls.
The redemption minimum is $25 for PayPal and gift cards. New users can earn a $5 bonus when joining.
Trustpilot score: 1.6 out of 5
7. Lucktastic
With Lucktastic, you can get paid to play games at any time of the day. It’s available as an app for your phone or tablet and does not work on laptop or desktop computers.
This app is mostly free digital scratch cards, but you can also play trivia games.
To win, you need to match three of the winning symbols displayed on your scratch card. Not every card wins rewards, but each game is free.
You can win cash or rewards points redeemable for gift cards. The prize options are different for each scratch game.
There is no guarantee you will win since the game results are random. However, you can play multiple cards daily to improve your odds of winning.
Frequent players can qualify for the Lucktastic VIP program and earn bonus points and prizes.
The minimum cashout is $5 for gift cards. You cannot redeem points for cash rewards.
Trustpilot score: 1.6 out of 5
8. Slingo
If you’re a serious gamer and can keep up in gaming tournaments, Slingo is an excellent way to win money online. Some games are also free to play.
The platform offers these game types:
- Slingo (slots and bingo)
- Slots
- Casino games
The Slingo and Slots games are free and can win tokens that let you enter prize tournaments. These free games don’t offer cash or gift card prizes.
While their tournaments cost 5,000 tokens to enter (which you can earn by playing the other free games on the site), you can walk away with real cash in hand.
*Related: looking for easy ways to earn money? Check out our guide on apps that will pay you to walk to earn money exercising.*
You can also earn $5 just by signing up with an eligible debit or credit card. Your card won’t be charged, making this a nice bonus. You can redeem winnings for cash via PayPal.
Trustpilot score: N/A
9. Gamesville
Gamesville is one of the oldest websites to play games online. The service is completely free and offers several methods for getting paid for playing games.
First, you can play free tournaments for bingo games. Being the first person to call “Bingo!” lets you earn the most rewards points.
Second, you can play individual games and try to beat the clock. Sometimes, you’ll also get a chance to win the “jackpot.”
The game types have different rewards options. Some games pay cash rewards, while others let you redeem points for gift cards or sweepstakes.
Other rewards apps can be better if you want guaranteed payouts when playing games or multiple ways to earn prizes besides games.
Trustpilot score: 3.2 out of 5
10. PCHgames
Did you know that Publisher’s Clearinghouse (the same company that gives those big awards checks) has a gaming site? They do, and it’s known as PCHgames.
You can play games to win real money by earning tokens that you can redeem for cash, gift card, and merchandise sweepstakes. Being a frequent player lets you earn bonus tokens.
Your tokens never expire with PCHgames, so you don’t have to worry about taking a break. You might keep your tokens to enter more exciting giveaways or those reserved for VIP members.
If you don’t like entering sweepstakes without guaranteed prizes, PCH offers instant win games and scratch-offs that can require less time. Keep in mind that victory isn’t certain.
The platform also offers tournament-style games. These games are free to enter, and the best players can win cash rewards.
Other ways to earn tokens and win money include:
- Taking quizzes
- Answering surveys
- Play slots
- Enter sweepstakes
Trustpilot score: N/A
Ways to Get Paid to Play Video Games
Some platforms pay you to play video games at home. These opportunities might pay more than the other mobile and online options.
11. Gaming Jobs Online
If you like the idea of testing video games, Gaming Jobs Online may be for you. You’ll test new games and can earn up to $30 per hour playing them.
It’s also possible to test online, PC, and mobile games with this platform.
Gaming Jobs Online also pays you to do the following:
- Take surveys
- Participate in focus groups
- Watch game trailers
Rewards options can include PayPal cash, gift cards, and gaming accessories.
If you’re really into video games, Gaming Jobs Online is a great opportunity to make money in your spare time.
Trustpilot score: N/A
12. Game Testers
Game Testers is another exciting app but with a twist. First, applicants must pass a test before getting paid to play video games.
If you pass and they select you as a tester, you can earn between $50 and $150 per hour.
The platform tests PC, mobile, and console games in a variety of ways. These tests can include determining if a game is fun to play or if there are any technical glitches.
Payment options can depend on the job. Testers can expect cash payments, but gift cards or game accessories may be options as well.
Trustpilot score: N/A
13. Razer Cortex
Razer Cortex is an exciting app that rewards you when you play games online by tracking your playing time.
You will need to play PC games within the platform library. The available titles change weekly.
They pay in their currency, known as zSilver. You can earn five zSilver per minute and double points on weekends. There is a daily earnings limit, although it’s easy to earn rewards.
You can’t redeem the currency for cash, but you can use it to redeem for merchandise like headphones or other accessories.
Trustpilot score: 1.6 out of 5
FAQs
Do you want to learn more about playing games that pay real money? Here are some common questions.
How much can you get paid to play games?
Playing games online for money is a great way to monetize your downtime, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Most offers earn between one dollar and ten dollars. That said, it can take several minutes or days to earn that prize. Make sure you read the requirements to qualify for the full payment amount.
For example, you may earn some points by download the game. However, you may not earn the rest until you reach a specific level within a certain number of days.
How can I get paid to play games?
It’s possible to make money by playing games on your computer, phone, or console. Most opportunities are for phone and tablet games.
What is the best app to win real money?
Rewards apps like Swagbucks can be the easiest and most consistent way to test games and earn rewards. This platform has affordable cash and gift card rewards that only require a five-dollar rewards balance for most brands.
What kind of games do these sites offer?
Each site varies, but you can typically expect to find a wide variety of games. Common games include card games like Solitaire and casino games like slots and bingo.
Many sites also include popular games, puzzles, and action games.
How do you get paid as a gamer?
Most gaming platforms offer cash and gift cards, such as Amazon gift cards. Most cash rewards are paid via PayPal, but direct deposit and mailed checks can also be an option.
Bottom Line
There are several ways to make money online with games using your computer or phone. You may be able to play several minutes at a time and earn cash or gift card rewards.
While you won’t become rich, this can be a fun way to add some spending money to your budget.
What is one unique thing you do to make money on the side? How much spare time do you have that you could use to make extra money?
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