There are two reasons to play games today: for fun or for money. Most people play games for fun as a way to relax or pass the time, but, believe it or not, you can also get paid to play games!
Some people view video games with dollar signs in their eyes — looking for ways to rake in cash or even free gift cards while playing the games they love.
Let’s take a look at the best apps that pay you to play games, tips for making money playing games, and how to use your video game earnings.
Featured Games for Cash
Bubble Cash
A bubble shooter game for iOS that lets you compete in real money tournaments.
Solitaire Cash
Earn real money by playing games, including daily bonuses and rewards.
Solitaire Smash
The faster you can clear the board, the higher your score and more cash you can earn.
21+ Apps That Pay You to Play Games
Here are the best game apps for making money:
- 🏆 Bingo Cash
- Bubble Cash
- Solitaire Smash
- Cash’em All
- Mistplay
- Solitaire Cash
- Cash Giraffe
- Blackout Bingo
- Cookie Cash
- Dominoes Gold
- Money Well
- Solitaire Cube
- 21 Blitz
- Cashyy
- Appstation
- Rewarded Play
- Blitz – Win Cash
- Spades Cash
- Swagbucks
- InboxDollars
- MyPoints
- Drop
- Swagbucks Live
- PCH+ Games
- Pool Payday
1. Bingo Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.7
Similar to Blackout Bingo, Bingo Cash puts a new spin on a classic. It’s from the gaming platform Papaya, the maker of Solitaire Cash and Bubble Cash.
With Bingo Cash, you’ll play against other players for real money that you can access via PayPal. This is a free app… and it’s free of ad walls! It’s important to note, though, that if you live in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, or South Carolina, you won’t be able to participate in these cash tournaments.
You can find Bingo Cash through the iOS App Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
2. Bubble Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.6
Another game from Papaya, Bubble Cash is a popular bubble shooter game with cash prizes.
You can pay to play tournaments or use the free version if you have enough gems to enter the competition. There are also minigames and a classic gameplay mode.
Unfortunately, Bubble Cash is only available on iOS devices.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store
3. Solitaire Smash
- Apple iOS: 4.8
Solitaire Smash is a sleekly designed app that lets you play the classic game and win cash prizes. To keep things fun and fair, the app matches you with other players who have the same skill level as you, with the same deck. Deposits are made securely through Apple Pay and PayPal.
The top three winners in every tournament will win gems or cash, with bigger bonuses for clearing the board fast. You can also play special events, challenges, and missions.
While you can’t win real cash in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Vermont, you can still play with virtual currency.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store
4. Cash’em All
- Google Play: 4.3
Cash’em All is a great money-making game app because it requires no deposits or in-app purchases and is ad-free.
With Cash’em All, you get rewarded for playing the app’s free games, which can vary based on your location. But the app comes with a variety of games, including card-matching and an interactive crossword puzzle.
The more you play, the more you can earn in cash or gift cards to retailers like Amazon. You only need a $0.50 balance to cash out, so you can start accessing your wins almost immediately.
This isn’t a good option if you have an Apple device because Cash’em All is only available for Android.
Download Now:
- Available on the Google Play
5. Mistplay
- Google Play: 4.6
Another app that pays users to play games is Mistplay.
Create an account on Mistplay, discover new games, play, and collect points or units. The more you play, the more units you’ll collect. Then cash them in for rewards.
The Mistplay app offers rewards like Amazon gift cards, Google Play credit, Visa gift cards, and PayPal distributions, among other things.
6. Solitaire Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.6 /
- Galaxy Store: 4.5
Solitaire Cash is a fun, money-making twist on the classic card game. With Solitaire Cash, you will be matched up with players of similar skill levels to play using the same cards. The top three winners will win cash.
The Solitaire Cash mobile app is totally free to play and is available for Galaxy and Apple devices.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
7. Cash Giraffe
- Google Play: 4.4
Rather than being a game itself, Cash Giraffe is a service that recommends other games to you and pays you for playing them on your Android device.
When you try out Cash Giraffe’s recommended apps, it tracks your time spent and rewards you with gems that can be exchanged for cash via PayPal, gift cards, and discounts from popular brands.
You can also get referral bonuses for friends you recommend to the app when they use your link to sign up and you both verify your email accounts.
Cash Giraffe doesn’t share your data with third parties, and you can request to have it deleted.
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8. Blackout Bingo
- Apple iOS: 4.5 /
- Galaxy Store: 4.5
For a fun twist on a traditional game, try Blackout Bingo, one of the best game apps on our list. Set up like a bingo card, the game focuses on the travels of a globetrotting character named Chelsea. There are often special limited-time-only games that include boosts.
You can play cash games when you deposit money or try out the free version. It’s a quick game – usually just a couple of minutes – so it’s easy to play whenever you have a little free time.
Blackout Bingo is available for iOS and on the Samsung Galaxy Store.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
9. Cookie Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.7 /
- Galaxy Store: 4.5
Cookie Cash is a fun game for match-three players from Papaya Gaming. You can play unlimited free games to get the hang of it and boost your skills.
Once you’re ready, you can also compete against other players to win prizes and climb up the leaderboard. There are lots of tournaments, min games, and puzzles to choose from, and there are daily bonuses and gifts.
The game pays out cash prizes, with secure Apple Pay and PayPal withdrawals. Just keep in mind that you can’t play for cash in AZ, IA, LA, and SC.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
10. Dominoes Gold
- Apple iOS: 4.7 /
- Galaxy Store: 4.5
Dominoes Gold is a fun and easy way to play Dominoes on your phone, no matter where you are. It’s free to download, but you’ll need to put up some money to play for Ticketz, which can then be cashed in for prizes.
The game has several formats, including head-to-head competitions, tournaments, and real-time matches. It’s available for Apple and Android devices.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
11. Money Well
- Google Play: 4.3
With Money Well, you can earn money without having to win matches and games against other players. That’s because Money Well is a get-paid-to (GPT) app designed to help developers gain valuable insights into what players think of their games.
On Money Well, you can play favorites like Bingo, or try your hand at arcade-style, strategy, or adventure games. For playing – and possibly giving feedback – you’ll earn points that you can trade for free money (in the form of PayPal cash) or gift cards.
If you have an Apple device, you’re out of luck. Money Well is only available through Google Play.
Download Now:
12. Solitaire Cube
- Apple iOS: 4.6 /
- Google Play: 3.1
If you thought Solitaire was a solo game, think again. Solitaire Cube pits players against each other in games to win real cash. Tournaments give you the opportunity to really win big – up to thousands of dollars, in some cases. In fact, one player, Katie Nguyen, actually won nearly $400,000.
Solitaire Clash is available on the iOS Apple Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
13. 21 Blitz
- Apple iOS: 4.6 /
- Google Play: 4.5
If you’re a fan of card games, 21 Blitz might be up your alley.
The game comes from Tether Studios, a division of Skillz. The Skillz platform includes popular esports games like bowling, as well as a word search competition similar to Boggle.
A little like Solitaire, a little like Blackjack, and a lot like a unique mixture of the two, 21 Blitz allows you to go head-to-head or compete in tournaments with brackets. Winners of games and tournaments take home cash prizes.
You can get the 21 Blitz app for iOS and Android devices.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Galaxy Store
14. Cashyy
- Google Play: 4.3
Cashyy rewards you for playing some of your favorite games… for free! Cashyy has a variety of trivia, casino, and bingo games to choose from. You won’t earn cash for playing, but you will rack up Amazon gift cards.
You can only play Cashyy, though, if you have an Android device. The app is not available for iPhones or Apple devices.
Download Now:
- Available on the Google Play
15. AppStation
- Google Play: 4.3
AppStation is a GPT app that rewards users for trying out free games.
More than 5 million people use AppStation, making it a close competitor to popular gaming apps like Rewarded Play and Mistplay. The more games you download – and the longer you play them – the more rewards you’ll get. Rewards come in the form of gift cards to businesses like PayPal, Groupon and Amazon.
Unfortunately, you can only download AppStation on Google Play for Android devices.
Download Now:
16. Rewarded Play
- Google Play: 4.3
Rewarded Play, an Android app, available through the Google Play Store, lets you earn cash for casual online gaming.
You can choose from numerous online games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Wheel of Fortune, and Yahtzee to earn points that can be redeemed for free gift cards from major brands like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more.
Your points can add up fast so when you are ready to redeem, you can expect to get an electronic gift card from the retailer that you choose within 48 hours, if not sooner.
17. Blitz – Win Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.6
With Blitz – Win Cash, you can get paid to play more than 10 games, from Solitaire and Bingo to Bubble Shooter and Ball Blast.
You can play free practice games for fun or deposit cash to play for money. Blitz also distributes bonus cash when you sign up and complete certain challenges and tasks.
While you can’t withdraw bonus cash, you can use it to enter paid games. And you can withdraw all your cash winnings at any time. Blitz notes that it processes most withdrawals within a week.
The Blitz app is highly rated in the App Store and recently launched in the Google Play Store, with more features and updates on the way.
Download Now:
- Available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store
18. Spades Cash
- Apple iOS: 4.6 /
- Galaxy Store: 4.5
Spades Cash is another popular card game from the makers of 21 Blitz and Solitaire Cash.
If you’re familiar with Spades, you know that, like Solitaire, it’s typically played alone. But in Spades Cash, you’ll go up against random opponents, each of which is playing the same hand as you. If you win, you’ll earn points that you can then turn in for cash.
Spades Cash is available on both the Apple Store and Galaxy Store.
Download Now:
19. Swagbucks
- Apple iOS: 4.4 /
- Google Play: 4.3
Swagbucks is a cash-back rewards app that can reward you with real money for doing things you love.
For example, Swagbucks provides rewards for things like watching movies, browsing the internet, and even playing free games like Trivia Game Show and Solitaire Cube.
Simply install a mobile game app from the Swagbucks site and start earning rewards for playing it. Once you’ve made some money, you can cash out via your PayPal account.
20. InboxDollars
- Apple iOS: 4.5 /
- Google Play: 4.0
InboxDollars is another app that provides cash prizes and gift cards in exchange for playing games.
The app connects folks with online game companies that want to attract more users and rewards participants for their efforts. You can play arcade games, casino games, card games, and even enter cash tournaments.
21. MyPoints
MyPoints was initially founded in 1996 and was a pioneer in the online rewards and online shopping space at the time. The company has since evolved drastically and now offers numerous ways to earn “MyPoints”, redeemable for free gift cards online.
You can play games to earn points, but you can also complete online surveys when you need a break from gaming.
22. Drop
With the Drop app, you can earn points for more than just shopping, you earn points for ordering food delivery, riding in an Uber, playing games and answering surveys.
With so many ways to earn points, they’ll add up quickly.
23. Swagbucks Live
- Apple iOS: 4.8 /
- Google Play: 4.3
Swagbucks Live is a daily trivia game show run by Swagbucks. Create your Swagbucks account, visit the app, and find out what time the contest starts each day.
You will be asked 10 questions and have 10 seconds to respond, if you get the answer wrong or do not answer within 10 seconds you will be disqualified.
If you get all 10 questions correct, you, along with any other players who got all 10 correct will split the cash prize.
24. PCH+ Games
- Apple iOS: 4.6 /
- Google Play: 4.3
PCH+ Games is a gaming app from Publishers Clearing House, so you know you’re in for a sweepstakes-style model.
The app is loaded with lots of free mini-games like bowling and Skee-Ball for your chance at winning real prizes. The higher you score, the more tokens you’ll earn. You can turn in those tokens for a chance at winning a weekly grand prize like vacations, cash, and new cars.
PCH+ Games is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Download Now:
25. Pool Payday
- Apple iOS: 4.6
Fans of billiards will find this twist on the traditional pub game a fun way to make some extra money.
With Pool Payday, you can compete for cash by playing classic 8-ball tournaments against random opponents or your online friends. You can either take turns or go up against players in real-time.
There are some limitations to this app, however. Cash tournaments aren’t available in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Tennessee. Pool Payday is also only available for iOS devices.
Download Now:
Tips for Making Real Money Playing Games
Here are some things to keep in mind before you turn your video game hobby into a profession.
Decide if You Really Want to Make Money Gaming
Spend some time thinking about whether you want to keep your gaming habit as a hobby or if you really want to turn it into a lucrative side hustle.
For some people, making real money playing games can actually be depressing because it can take the fun out of the experience. If you play video games to relax and have a good time, you might spoil your hobby by turning it into a job.
Of course, this doesn’t really apply if you simply want to make extra cash by fiddling with a game app. This is more for serious gamers who are considering starting a professional streaming channel or entering into the esports realm and playing more competitively for cash prizes and sponsorships.
Watch Your Health
This one is important: Watch your health when playing games. Playing games can become addictive, leading to hours upon hours of sitting down and staring at a screen.
Often, people lose entire nights and weekends because they lose track of time. If left unchecked, gaming can wreck your health.
Since that’s the case, you need to take care of yourself by pacing, taking breaks, and remembering to eat well and exercise.
Otherwise, you could wind up developing conditions that can be expensive and detrimental to your health in the long run.
Keep Your Day Job
Once you start making real money gaming, you may fall in love with the idea and want to quit your day job to game full-time. Before you try this, stop and think the situation through.
Remember that your day job pays for things like a high-speed internet connection, food, and the roof over your head — all of which are required to play video games.
It can be very difficult to make a living playing games full-time, and you may find yourself regretting your decision if you opt to go this route.
Of course, there are exceptions. Only you can decide how to live your life and what you want to do for a living. But don’t do anything too hastily without considering all the angles.
What to do With Video Game Earnings
It’s important to be savvy about the money that you make playing video games. Consider trying the following strategies to maximize the income you make from playing games.
- Pay down debt: If you’re in debt, you’re going to want to get out of it as quickly as possible. Use the money that you bring in from video games to pay down your high-interest credit cards, student loans, auto loans, personal loans, and mortgages. The faster that you can escape from high-interest credit card debt, the more financially sound you’ll be in the long run.
- Invest: Once you’re in a position to do so, it’s a good idea to start thinking about investing. Look into starting a taxable brokerage account or retirement account — like an individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k). Investing can potentially stretch small video game returns into much larger payouts over time. For example, say you get paid $20 for playing a video game. Your goal should be to turn that into $100 or more over time by purchasing growth stocks or other types of investments.
- Save: It’s also critical to save as much as possible. Focus on building an emergency fund and stacking up at least six months of expenses. The point of saving isn’t to maximize interest, as rates across the board are too low. Instead, the point is to have money on hand so that you can pay for expenses when they arise and cover yourself in an emergency situation — like when dealing with a home or auto repair or an unexpected job loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting paid to play games.
Is it easy to make extra cash playing video games?
It largely depends on the type of gaming that you want to be doing. For example, downloading mobile games from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android can easily produce rewards. However, if you want to become a professional gamer, that takes a much different level of commitment and expertise.
Do iPhone and Android game apps count as a side hustle?
Technically any activity that brings in money on the side can be considered a side hustle. However, if your goal is to make real money, you’re probably not going to be able to cut it by playing mobile games. You’ll most likely have to supplement this side hustle with other, higher-earning endeavors like driving for Lyft or Uber and walking dogs.
Is a gift card better than real cash rewards?
A gift card is almost never better than real money because cards are inflexible and don’t generate interest. Unless you’re going to spend all of the money immediately, the best thing to do when getting a gift card is sell it or exchange it and then invest the proceeds.
How much do professional gamers make?
Professional gamers on platforms like Xbox and Playstation can make upwards of $5,000 or more each month. Top earners can generate millions annually through sponsorships and other means. This requires expert gaming ability, savvy, and above-average marketing ability on social media.
Should You Start Playing Games for Money?
Don’t expect to hit the jackpot playing video games online — unless you’re extremely talented. However, playing games can help you generate extra money and be used to supplement other side hustles.
At the end of the day, there are tons of ways to make real money online through the gaming industry, and playing video games as a streamer, tester, or teacher may be up your alley.
Just watch out for scams when downloading apps and playing on different sites, and always avoid giving out your personal information when collecting money. You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t spend too much time playing games to the point you can’t pay your bills anymore!
With the right approach, you can strike the perfect balance between making some extra money and having fun playing your favorite games. What’s not to like?
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