Who doesn’t love the idea of making some few bucks while playing games on their phone?
With nearly one million games available for iPhone and Android users, most users play games as a fun way to pass time outside the doctor’s office, or during lunch break at work.
If you enjoy playing games, and you are not getting paid for it, you are missing out! While these apps won’t make you rich, they can be a fun way to earn a little extra cash or redeemable gift cards in your free time.
But, not all games are created equal- a few are legit ways of making money, but there could be some scam gaming apps to avoid.
Let’s explore legit apps that pay you to play games, how they work, and what you can expect to earn for each game.
1. Bubble Cash
Bubble Cash combines the classic bubble shooter game with a chance to win real money. The idea is simple: match three or more bubbles of the same color to pop them and clear the board.
This app offers both free-to-play modes and cash tournaments, where players can compete for real cash prizes. You can enter these tournaments by paying a small fee, and if you’re good enough, you can win a portion of the pot. Bubble Cash uses a skill-based system, so the better you are at the game, the higher your chances of winning.
Once you have made some money on the app, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal or gift cards as soon as you hit certain milestones. Be aware that participating in cash tournaments carries some risk since you’re betting on your skills.
Some games have reported earning anywhere from $5 to $30 per week, sometimes more, depending on your skill and how often you play.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars pays users to complete a variety of tasks, including taking surveys, watching videos, reading emails, and of course, playing games.
The games listed on InboxDollars range from casual options like Solitaire and Mahjong to more complex ones like card games and puzzles. InboxDollars partners with GSN Games, giving you multiple options to earn rewards as you play.
One of the reasons I rate InboxDollars highly if because it pays you in real money, not just points. You can cash out your earnings through PayPal, checks, or gift cards once you’ve accumulated at least $30.
While the platforms offers many ways of making money, the payouts from playing games are often lower than other tasks. However, if you play games with other tasks like surveys and watching videos, you can increase your earnings.
3. KashKick
KashKick is similar to InboxDollars, and it allows users to make money by playing games, taking online surveys, and completing other online tasks.
One thing I like about KashKick if that you get paid when you play games on both mobile and desktop. Plus, most of the games allow you to earn cash directly, while others reward you when you hit certain milestones.
Additionally, KashKick has a low payout threshold, and you can cash out as soon as you hit $10 dollars. You can request payouts directly to your PayPal account. While you won’t make a fortune, KashKick is an easy way to make a little extra money in your spare time.
4. Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash allows players to win real money by competing in tournaments. Unlike traditional bingo, where the outcome is mostly based on luck, Bingo Cash incorporates a skill-based approach.
Players can participate in cash tournaments by paying a small fee, and the winner takes home a portion of the prize pool. The more skilled you are at the game, the higher your chances of winning. The platform has free practice games that lets you sharpen your skills before you plunge into paid tournaments.
Bingo cash lets you cash out your winnings via PayPal. Some users have reported cashing out as soon as they hit $10 to $20 in their account.
5. Solitaire Cube
If you’re a fan of the classic Solitaire card game, Solitaire Cube offers a chance to turn your skills into real cash.
The app hosts head-to-head Solitaire tournaments where players compete against one another to solve the same deck of cards. If you finish the fastest and with the highest score, you get a cash prize. The app uses a skill-based ranking system to ensure that players of similar abilities are matched against each other.
While Solitaire Cube is free to download and play, you’ll need to enter cash tournaments to win money. Entry fees for tournaments vary, but prizes can range from a few dollars to larger amounts for higher-stakes games.
You can receive payouts via PayPal once you hit the minimum balance, making it a potential app to get bear money.
6. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards platforms, offering users various ways to earn points, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
Apart from watching videos and completing surveys, Swagbucks offers various casual games that users can play to earn points. The games range from simple arcade-style options to more involving puzzle and strategy games.
You can redeem your earnings once you have accumulate 1,000 Swagbucks, equivalent to $10. Since you can combine gaming with other earning activities like surveys and offers, Swagbucks can be a steady source of side income.
While you won’t make a ton of money just from playing games, it’s a fun and easy way to earn rewards.
7. Mistplay
Mistplay is a gaming loyalty app designed specifically for mobile gamers. It rewards users with points for playing and testing new mobile games.
The longer you play, the more points you earn, which can be exchanged for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Google Play, and Visa. Mistplay features a wide variety of games across multiple genres, from strategy games to puzzle and adventure games, so there’s something for everyone.
Mistplay does not pay in cash- you can redeem giftcards, which you can use on sites like Amazon. Players have reported earning anywhere from $5 to $10 per week, depending on how often they play.
If you want to maximize your earnings on Mistplay, play consistently and participate in the app’s loyalty tiers, which offer higher rewards as you progress.
Some Quick Rules: What to Watch Out For
While playing games for money sounds appealing, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Withdraw cash instantly
Once you reach the payout threshold, withdraw your earnings as soon as possible to avoid potential issues with the app.
If you are addicted to gambling, don’t try these games
Many of these apps offer cash tournaments, which can be addictive. If you struggle with gambling addiction, it’s best to steer clear of these games.
Spend gift vouchers immediately
Gift cards can lose value over time or be rendered invalid, so spend them as soon as you receive them.
Playing games won’t make you rich
While these apps offer a fun way to make extra money, they won’t replace a full-time job. Think of them as a way to earn small rewards for beer money or coffee dates.