Earning money by playing games sounds like an ideal job. But like many pursuits, there are some steps required, and whether you actually make money playing games can depend on luck, planning and the method you take.
We’ve gathered four real ways to earn money through playing games, but like any side hustle (or even a full-time gig), a bit of hard work goes a long way.
If you want to get paid for playing games, “get-paid-to” (GPT) or task apps are arguably one of the easiest options. These apps often pay users for completing tasks, such as user testing for new mobile games or platforms.
Most GPT apps offer payment as gift cards or cash, or you may get to pick your preferred payment method. If you prefer cash payouts, most GPT apps pay through PayPal.
Here are some top apps to consider:
Some play-to-earn gaming apps are more akin to gambling. One example is the Skrillz game Blackout Bingo. Although it’s advertised as a skill-based bingo game that pays you to play, you can lose money. If you’re looking for a side hustle, read the fine print of any app that requires cash up front to play.
If you struggle with gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Several platforms support content creators, while a few are specifically geared toward gamers. Twitch, YouTube and TikTok are among the most popular streaming options.
Twitch streamers can earn income through paid subscribers, sponsorships and fan donations called Bits. Twitch isn’t limited to live-streaming games, either. Other content categories include travel, outdoor activities, chatting, food, software development and more.
Aside from Twitch, there’s the classic YouTube route, where you can post pre-recorded videos or live-stream your gaming. TikTok allows creators to earn through monetized content and partnerships and also supports live streaming.
Becoming a full-time, paid gaming streamer takes a lot of work, and hitting it big can be a matter of luck. As of April 2024, there were a reported 7.23 million active Twitch streamers — and only about one million actually earn money, as reported by Twitch. Another small-scale poll found that 72.6% of Twitch streamers don’t make any money, while 15.2% only make between $1 and $25 per month.(4)
The professional route of esports is another way to monetize gaming, or you can enter local gaming competitions.
Most professional gamers specialize in a specific game. Some popular titles include first-person shooters like Counter-Strike and Fortnite and multiplayer arena games like League of Legends (LoL). In the LoL World Champion 2024 tournament, the total prize pool was $2,250,000, with the first prize earning $450,000.(5)
And you don’t have to be limited to video games — trading card games (TCGs) like Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering (MTG) also offer competitive events. Pokémon hosts Regional and Special Championships for the Pokémon TCG in North America, Europe and Latin America. The Masters Division pays as much as $10,000 for first place or even $1,000 if you place between 17 and 25, according to Pokemon.com.
However, winning game competitions requires skill, and national competitions may have a qualifying round. If you pursue the professional route, you may need to join a team and find a sponsor.
Trading cards have their own ecosystem — and sometimes you can profit from it. With card bans, new releases and evolving strategies, the card market is ever-changing.
For example, MTG has over 27,000 unique cards, multiple gaming formats and an estimated 50 million players. Card prices fluctuate daily. If you’re lucky enough to find a currently desirable card in a booster pack or pre-con, you could sell it online or at a second-hand shop and hopefully earn a profit.
Second-hand card shops often purchase singles, and there are many sites where you can list your cards for sale, such as eBay, TCGplayer.com or Card Kingdom. Unopened older booster packs are usually very desirable and often sell for hundreds of dollars online to collectors.
But selling trading cards isn’t without its risks. There’s no guarantee you’ll get a high-value card or be able to time your sale at the card’s peak value. Like investing, making a profit often requires watching the market closely — and a good amount of luck.
There is no set answer to how much you can earn playing games — it all depends on the route you take.
GPT apps for game testing can pay anywhere from a few dollars to a couple hundred, depending on the task and app. How much you earn can also depend on your profile, location, task availability, how many tasks you can do and how often new tasks are available.
Qualifying for monetization on streaming platforms can take months, and your earnings often depend on views, subscriptions and fan donations. Making it big on a streaming platform can also involve a lot of luck and may require posting on multiple social media platforms to gain a following.
Cash prizes for placing in gaming competitions can be thousands of dollars, but that’s a tough gig. In most cases, you have to be really good to win these competitions, and local competitions may be scarce depending on your location, so you might also need to factor in travel costs.
Selling trading cards can be risky and requires an initial investment to acquire cards, with the hope of earning a profit.
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No matter which route you take, there’s no guarantee you can earn money by playing games. While there are quite a few avenues to take, each comes with its own set of risks.
Compare more side hustle options or consider investing or high-yield savings accounts for alternative ways to earn some cash on the side.
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