Games To Play Online To Make Money

With a rise in competitive play and the constant growth of e-sports, a new market was born. Some people will pay a good amount of money if you can boost their ranking and make them advance in the competitive ladder in games like League of Legends, CS: GO, or DotA 2, to name a few. Yes, you can really get paid to play games online. Here's the BIGGEST list of sites and ways you can earn money playing games (including video games!). This post outlines 13 effective options you can use to earn money by playing video games, turning your hobby into an effective side hustle and income source.

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One of life’s best pass-times is playing games. Strategy board games, party games, and conversation games are good, but video games are even better.

Did you know that you can embark on a full career just playing video games? If you’re single, young, and bold enough, take a shot at it and earn from it.

If you’re up for making cash gaming, try out any of these tips that will help you make your efforts worthwhile.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Visit Legitimate Online Gaming Sites
  • 2. Live Stream Your Games
    • Before you get to it
  • 4. Get into Game Journalism
    • Tips for becoming a successful game journalist
  • 7. Develop a Gaming Website
  • 8. Launch a Fun Game-related Podcast
  • 9. Download Apps That Pay You to Play Video Games

1. Visit Legitimate Online Gaming Sites

There are countless benefits to playing online games. For one, you don’t need to get yourself rough-on-the-pocket consoles like a Nintendo, Xbox, etc.

All you need is a functional computer, good internet and a fair amount of gaming experience. So, which sites should you trust to pay you for your ‘hard work’?

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a legitimate online site that pays you for doing more than just having fun. It offers a variety of tasks, for example watching videos, shopping, and much more.

To start, you can take part in the daily promotions for featured games, which will go a long way in earning you some Swagbucks points. Do this every day and gain experience that will double your earnings.

InboxDollars

Money

This website gives you the opportunity to make real cash for playing online games. What you need to do is to create a free account at InboxDollars at zero cost and proceed to the game section.

There is a wide variety of games to choose from, some simple and most complex. When you begin, you can earn up to $10 per day. As you progress, you can make more than this.

Players’ Lounge

Players’ Lounge has a very straightforward concept. Start by picking a game of your choice. Get matched with a worthy opponent from anywhere in the world, and compete for cash.

The app has a Players’ Lounge Rating (PLR) that matches players of equal skill against each other. In case of any foul play, there is a dispute system that addresses concerns such as these.

To make money from this app, you should be 18yrs or older. If you like Players’ Lounge, you’ll love PlayVIG. It has a similar concept, but with more ways to earn money.

Bingo! Zone

Are you a lover of Bingo? If your answer is yes, then Bingo! Zone is the site for you. You can earn good sums of money just by playing bingo online. As the name suggests, this is a site only for Bingo games.

There are different Bingo games to pick from, which you can play every day and earn at least $1. The money will keep increasing until the moment when a winner is declared.

Second Life

Second Life promotes real-life businesses on a virtual platform. They include property trading, selling gadgets, content, clothing, etc.

As if that’s not attractive enough, you can even earn a few bucks just for sitting outside a store. The idea is to attract more people to the store.

Paid Game Player

Once you create a free account with Paid Game Player, you can play over 600 games for free. You can earn a few bucks by playing the games you love.

The downside is that you must be above 18 to register and start earning money. The games offered include arcade, puzzle, casino, and many others.

Gamesville

Gamesville is considered the most popular web-based gaming platform on the internet. When you play and win games, surpassing high scores/slots, you get awarded GV Rewards.

You can, later on, change the GV rewards into money along with other worthwhile prizes. Alternatively, you can win instant cash instead of rewards in certain cash-only competitions.

2. Live Stream Your Games

You’ve probably been told countless times that you won’t, and you can’t make a living off your gaming habit. Before you think of giving an ear those overly repeated words, take a shot at broadcasting your digital adventures to the world.

Live streaming is a big deal right now. A report carried out by Research and Markets in 2016 estimated that it could grow to over $70.05 billion in the next four years.

Game Live streaming has been a game changer – no pun intended – to an active subculture of individuals. It’s a big deal not only in the US but the world over. Many of the industry’s biggest names garner thousands of viewers per session.

On your first stream, you may or may not have an audience that’s worth bragging of. This is perfectly normal. As you grow, your audience will grow with you.

Before you get to it

Make sure you run a few tests on your setup to ensure that your viewers enjoy an optimal experience. Pay close attention to:

1. Audio balance

This may prove to be the most difficult of them all. Your viewers should be able to hear you clearly over the game’s sound effects. It shouldn’t be too clear to the extent that even the slightest background noise can be heard.

2. Familiarity with the game

Whichever game you choose to play, make sure you know your way around it. No viewer would enjoy watching you as you showcase your gaming inexperience on a live platform.

Games to play online with friends

3. Game Clarity and Resolution

Your screen should cast a clear resolution to ensure your gameplay is featured. Also, make sure your shot doesn’t obscure critical features of the game, such as the HUD.

There are numerous ways you can profit a great deal from live streaming. The biggest platform you can make money from at the moment is Twitch.

YouTube Gaming is slowly gaining relevance, so consider it as a second option. Other platforms include Microsoft’s Mixer, Facebook Live, and BIGO Live (for mobile gamers).

To stream, you don’t necessarily have to be a wiz at games – though it may boost your gaming career exponentially.

Viewers are more often than not drawn to skill, expert analysis, wit, and strong personalities. Put together a few of these, and you’re on the right track to a successful live stream.

3. Creating Walkthroughs and Game Guides

All gaming newbies need comprehensive and enhanced guides to games they’ve never played before. There are tons of video game websites and blogs that accept guest writers that specialize in the gaming niche as well.

As a game guide, you’ll be required to provide the following:

  • a detailed description of how to finish an elaborate video game
  • Choices the player can make to find alternative plot lines
  • Detailed steps on how to solve in-game puzzles and quests
  • How to uncover treasures and secrets (adventure games)
  • The most useful gameplay strategies.
  • Comprehensive description of POIs (Points of Interest) locations, quest starters, and maps of game worlds.

If you’re able to come up with powerful walkthroughs and guides that someone somewhere might find useful, why not make a living out of it? As a bonus, you get to play games for free and attend gaming events at zero costs.

A walkthrough/guide could be in the form of a blog, professionally structured eBook, tutorial and whatever else you can come up with. Only do this:

  • For games you’re not well acquainted with, there’s no need to embarrass yourself all in the name of making money.
  • If you have strong writing and editing skills.
  • After figuring out a common query in specific games among players

Make more sales by writing walkthroughs of sought-after games. Games of this nature will require you to up your game (again, no pun intended) a notch to beat any critical competition.

Writers will occasionally be employed on a freelance basis depending on the sample review they provide – regardless of their evident lack of ‘sophisticated’ publication credentials.

Writing a walkthrough is a reasonably straightforward miliarprocess, provided you follow the right technique.

It’s worth noting that the more game-savvy you are, the more polished and informed your reviews will be.

If you’re a hardcore gamer with excellent writing skills, you might as well write an e-book. Gaming e-books are worth $15 or more on Amazon.

4. Get into Game Journalism

Make Cash Playing Games App

Game journalism should never be linked to game walkthroughs – although they share many similar requirements.

Think of it merely as an alternative means of combining your passion for gaming with your probable top-notch writing skills.

Game journalism mostly deals with the latest news, interviews, and reviews of various genres of games. The most critical part of being a unique games journalist is being an avid player.

Tips for becoming a successful game journalist

Be passionate

Not everyone understands the depths of program software. The mere fact of being enthusiastic about games can significantly catapult your game journalism career.

Cool

Regardless of what you write about, take it seriously but have a little fun with it.

Start small, grow big

Debut your first review on a lesser-known site to learn the necessary skills and build your portfolio. In any case, smaller outlets receive talented and dedicated writers with open arms.

Video Game Journalism Jobs is the best place to find sites to write for. Working with sites like these will broaden your managerial and marketing skills as well as teach you a thing or two on carrying out a successful interview.

Don’t do it solo

Starting as a game journalist with no form of counsel can be very risky. Take your time to find the most accomplished personalities and writers on social media. Most writers in this field are very receptive to fresh blood.

Though they won’t always give you concrete leads, it pays to put your face out there. You’ll develop a sturdy foundation by finding the writers, audience, and outlets connected to your interests.

Hone your writing skills by contributing to gaming forums and writing brief game reviews on games you’re familiar about. Stand out by being what most are not – open-minded, enthusiastic, accurate, impartial and informative.

5. Take Part in Competitive Gaming

This is perhaps the most popular and most rewarding means to make money gaming. Both online and LAN-hosted tournaments and competitions are fun and interactive ways to really get into the game.

There are a lot of online games that are always open for tournaments and offer pretty incredible prize pools. Tournament games could either be teams against teams or an individual gamer against his/her competitor.

The complicated bit is that there will be players with more knowledge, grit, and swiftness. Team events, to be specific, are a lot more challenging to improve.

This is because every member of the team will need to practice a great deal. Individual events, on the other hand, will depend on the time you put in as well as your skill.

First off, check out these sites to know if you have access to a gaming event you may want to participate in:

The fundamental aspect of competing in eSports tournaments is to put yourself out there as a skilled player. Doing so will get your name among the PvP games tournaments’ favorites.

Practice makes perfect (and money as well). The more you improve on your gaming, network with expert gamers to make a name for yourself.

This will all work out if only you’re confident in your gaming capabilities. If not, it’s best you try out the rest of the items on this list.

6. Become a Video Game Tester

Some kids and teens are making a fortune from beta game testing. Earning money from home as a game tester is a splendid job, provided you have the knack to spend most of your time playing every day.

A video game tester tests beta video games before their public release. Game testing involves a lot of processes and learning curves. Testers evaluate the gameplay and the quality of the graphics and sound.

You will be asked to share your honest opinion on whether the game was truly enjoyable or downright dull. The companies that hire you need to ensure that the millions of buyers globally are getting value for their money.

Making money as a game tester is enjoyable for real gamers, but next to impossible for kids under sixteen. To apply for a game tester, make sure that:

  • Your English is on point
  • You can quickly adapt to the various strategies, techniques, and systems
  • You have the latest gaming devices
  • You are computer literate (though nowadays this is not necessary)
  • You’re prepared for the stiff competition from other (more experienced) gamers
  • You can stay for long hours playing video games
  • You’re passionate about gaming

Aside from these, you don’t need much to excel in video game testing: no background experience, no BA degree in marketing, no investment.

If the gods and goddesses of the video game world smile upon you, you’ll be lucky to earn $50,000 per year, among other benefits. For kids under 12, Microsoft Playlist is the best platform to start from.

The older generation can sign up at Game Testers, which happens to have a couple of connections with relevant game manufacturers. Other sites worth considering include PlayTestCloud, Game Tester, Nintendo, Bananatic, and Glassdoor.

7. Develop a Gaming Website

If you consider yourself obsessed with video games, it’s time you took your obsession to the next level: create a gaming site.

Before you dismiss this idea, think: with all the available online tools and resources at your disposal, wouldn’t it be such an easy undertaking?

Best Sites to Create a Gaming Website

Of course, like every other huge undertaking, you will need to spend a considerable amount of time planning and consulting.

You should, first and foremost, put into consideration the style that you’re comfortable with. It could either be a game review site or one exclusively for playing games.

You could alternatively create a gaming community hub website to meet the needs of your online gaming community.

Games To Play Online To Make Money At Home

Once you’re contented with the style, go ahead and determine the niche. Choosing too big of a niche is going to be quite challenging to help you stand out and make a name for yourself. Your site’s content should solely be based on your personal preferences.

The next step is to purchase a domain name and hosting. Get a free Web host where your site will be accessible to netizens all over the world. For a far more dedicated and resource-intensive website, HostGator would be your best bet.

From here, it’s up to you to customize your site. Your site’s overall design should be at par with your desired niche and theme. As you build it out, keep in mind your overall goals.

8. Launch a Fun Game-related Podcast

Today, there are hundreds of niche podcasts on the airwaves – among them is the gaming community.

You may have a strong affinity for a specific game enough to want to discuss strategies others can learn from. It’s simple; start a podcast.

What you’ll need:

  • Recording equipment – microphones & recorders
  • Software – editing packages to media hosting
  • Music & FX – a soundtrack for your show
  • Cover art – a cool graphic design that will represent your show

Decide on which game you want to podcast about and how frequently you’re going to broadcast. To be at the top of your game, consider doing podcasts on recent gaming news.

You could do the talking all by yourself or bring in a couple of your pals and make it a multi co-hosted podcast– the more, the merrier. You can spend an hour or two enjoying and discussing retro games and telling interactive gaming stories.

When talking about games, it doesn’t necessarily have to be based on video games alone. Popular podcasts include board and card gaming.

There are hundreds of ways to make money from podcasting. It all depends on how aggressive you are. Promote your podcast on social media, cover everything there is to know in your niche and if possible, do a video.

This will increase your audience and make your podcast more famous. The more exposed it is, the more advertising deals will come rolling in.

9. Download Apps That Pay You to Play Video Games

Believe it or not, there are real apps that pay you to play games. With these well-known apps, you can earn passive income by engaging in your favorite hobby at no cost at all.

AppJest and AppLike

AppJest is the iOS equivalent of AppLike. These apps give enthusiasts an opportunity to earn cash through downloading as well as playing specific games.

Unlike most mobile gaming apps, you don’t need to watch advertisements now and then to earn points or cash.

You get to win Amazon gift cards and PayPal cash monthly either running mobile games or playing them.

PlayVig

Once you download the PlayVig system onto your PC, you can choose one game from the impressive collection of high-quality games.

When you advance through the leaderboards or complete certain game-related quests, you will be rewarded with PlayVig coins. These coins are redeemable for PayPal cash prizes.

In essence, PlayVig is a unique opportunity for passionate gamers to make money playing exciting video games they probably wanted to play anyway.

HQ Trivia

On this app, users can log in twice in one day to compete in a 12-round tricky trivia. The prize pool – which is worth $2,500 – can, later on, be split with whoever else who’s still standing.

If you happen to have a couple of enlightened friends with a knack for trivia knowledge, the stronger your chances of making it through all 12 rounds.

Since the app’s inception, top users have earned more than $25,000. Other trivia apps that pay money include KO Trivia, SwagIQ, QuizBiz, Q Live Trivia, Qriket, and CashShow Trivia.

None of these apps will keep you financially stable, but they’re great ways of earning something extra on the side. Additionally, they’re fun and enjoyable to play.

Final Thoughts

There are more ways to make money online than you ever imagined. Playing video games, in particular, is one of the best and fun ways to make money in your spare time.

There is enough room in today’s market to add a little extra money to maybe channel into your retirement account, take a vacation. Love what you do, do what you love, make money doing what you love, and success will follow.

Game Genre:

Games To Play Online To Make Money Card game

Publisher:

RummyCircle, which is part of Play Games 24x7 is the largest online rummy game in India. More than 40 million people trust and play this skill-based game. The biggest prize pool reaches a whopping Rs. 4 crores.

Cost:

You can download the app for free and register to play right away. You can start playing with a minimum of Rs. 25.

Winning:

The amount that you can win depends on the variation you play—that includes points rummy, pool rummy and deals rummy. Also, it is based on the tournaments you select.

What is RummyCircle?:

It is a place where you can play Indian rummy with 13 cards online. It is a game that you have been playing with uncles, cousins, and even friends since childhood. On RummyCircle, you can choose from various exciting variations and win real money by joining tournaments. You can win big prizes that you cannot find on any other platform. There are over 40 million users who trust this rummy platform.

Safety & Security:

There are appropriate encryptions and advanced security measures in place for secured payment, instant withdrawal, and data protection. RummyCircle is the safest place to play with cash and win ample rewards. It also encourages users to play responsibly. The players can decide their monthly playing limit. The players can keep track of their budget, time spent on the game, or temporarily suspend their account.

Gameplay:

Once you are dealt a hand of 13 cards, quickly sort the cards to form minimum of two sequences and sets. Pick cards from the closed or open deck and discard unwanted cards before your time runs out. In order to declare and win, one sequence has to be pure and the remaining can be impure sequences and sets. The most vital is the pure sequence because you cannot declare without it.

In rummy, a sequence is a combination of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. But you have two types of sequences: pure sequence and impure sequence. The rules of rummy can be summarised in three points:

  1. Pure sequence:

    It is compulsory to form a pure sequence. It is made with three or more cards of the same suit in sequential order. You make it without a joker. For example, 4, 5, 6 of ♥.

  2. Impure sequence:

    It is made with three or more cards of the same suit in sequential order. Here you can use the wildcard joker and printed joker to form impure sequences. For example, 2♦ 3♦, Joker, 5♦.

  3. Sets:

    It is formed to complete the grouping of 13 cards. It is made up of three or four cards of the same value and different suit. You can use the jokers to group sets. This is an ideal example of forming sets 7 ♥ 7♣ 7♦

Editorial Review:

RummyCircle has taken the much-loved offline card game, online. But the experience of playing it online is even better than you can imagine. You get so involved in the game as if you are at the table. The burst of colours on the platform really gets you excited and sets the mood to take on your opponents. RummyCircle offers cross-platform play, where you can play from any device—smartphone or computer. It is an easy to use platform and even if you are new to it, you can easily navigate through the game.

The first thing you will notice about the game is the quickness of the gameplay; this is what makes rummy an exciting game to play. You have to quickly decide which cards you want to keep and the cards that are not useful to you. It is a snappy game that sparks thrill from the get-go.

The game has several variations—points rummy, pool rummy, deals rummy. If you are a beginner at rummy, then the platform allows you to play unlimited practice rounds. This will give you the confidence you need to play confidently in the paid games.

Games To Play Online With Friends

With this experience enter tournaments that are held daily and on weekends too. The best part is that you can enter certain tournaments for free and stand the opportunity to win lakhs.

To make the game more interesting, you can play multiple tables at the same time. Plus, with so many users on the platform, there is zero waiting time to start a game. These are incredible reasons to play rummy on RummyCircle. You never know, you could win big in your break time.

Challenge:

Cards are dealt randomly to players, but you can get a bad hand. This is one of the challenges. Also, you may have a lot of high-value cards, then what do you do? Another challenge is to guess the opponent’s hand, so that you can avoid discarding cards that will help him. Let us find out how to get out of these challenges with the following tips.

Quick Tips:

Play Online Games Make Money Free

  • If you have a bad hand, it is advisable to drop from the game initially itself. It will save you from gathering a lot of points.
  • If you have high-value cards (J, Q, K have 10-point value each) that you are not using, it is recommended to discard them earlier in the game. So, in case, your opponent declares before you, your points score remains low.
  • See what your opponent is picking or discarding from the open deck or hand. Then you can hold on to certain cards that you think would be useful to him. And you can discard the ones that are not useful to him.
  • As soon as the cards are dealt, focus on forming the pure sequence first. You need this sequence to declare.