Gaming for Green: Get Paid to Play with These Top Money Making Apps

Gaming is one of the most popular hobbies and forms of entertainment around the world. With advancements in mobile technology, gaming apps are now more accessible than ever. What if we told you that your gaming hobby could actually earn you money? Believe it or not, there are many apps that will let you make extra cash just for playing games!

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top money making gaming apps that pay you to play. Whether you enjoy puzzle games, trivia, or just want to test your skills against others, these apps make it possible to get paid for having fun. Keep reading to discover how you can turn your gaming passion into profit.

An Introduction to Money Making Gaming Apps

The rise of mobile gaming and app stores like Google Play and the App Store has created a whole new avenue for game developers to monetize casual gaming. Many gaming apps now integrate advertisement revenue, in-app purchases, and even cryptocurrency to compensate users for their gameplay.

Money making gaming apps typically fall into a few main categories:

• Skill/contest apps – Compete against other players in games of skill like trivia or augmented reality for a chance to win real money.
• Cash reward apps – Get paid directly in cash just for playing games, taking surveys, or completing other simple tasks.
• Cryptocurrency mining apps – Earn small amounts of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin just by playing games on your phone.
• eSports betting apps – Wager on professional eSports matches and tournaments for a chance to win cash payouts.

The main appeal of these apps is that they allow casual gamers to monetize their hobby without having to win major tournaments or become professional streamers. You can earn money just for playing games in your free time!

Now let’s take a closer look at some of the top money making apps available on iOS and Android.

Skillz – Competitive Mobile Gaming for Cash Prizes

One of the largest competitive mobile gaming platforms is Skillz, which lets you enter paid tournaments and contests across a variety of casual game genres. With over 65 million downloads, Skillz allows you to put your gaming skills to the test against others for a chance to win real world prizes.

How Does Skillz Work?

With Skillz, you can compete in head-to-head matches or tournaments across games like solitaire, pool, bubble shooter, and many more. Entry fees typically range from $0.25 to $10+ for larger guaranteed prize pools. The platform uses matchmaking algorithms to pair you with opponents of equal skill.

Winners get to keep their entry fee plus a portion of the prize pool. Skillz takes a small cut as the tournament host. Notably, the service is licensed and legal in most U.S. states so you can reliably get paid.

Key Features

Some of the key features that make Skillz one of the best money making gaming apps include:

• Wide variety of games – No matter what genre you prefer, from racing to puzzle games, Skillz has a game for you. With over 200 to choose from, you’ll never get bored.
• Fair matchmaking – Their patented technology ensures you are matched with players of equal ability for fair, competitive gaming.
• Guaranteed payouts – Winnings are securely transferred and guaranteed. To date, Skillz has paid out over $3 billion in prizes.
• Remote multiplayer – You can compete against anyone anywhere, not just locally.
• Season long leaderboards – See how you stack up on the leaderboards for greater earnings opportunities.

Is Skillz Right for You?

Skillz is a great fit if you are highly competitive and consider yourself an expert in one or more mobile game genres. With the chance to convert gameplay directly into cash winnings, it can transform gaming into a lucrative side hustle. Keep in mind there is an element of gambling, so you must be comfortable with losing your entry fee.

Swagbucks – Earn Cash Back for Gaming and More

For those looking to make money playing games in a more casual, rewarding way, check out Swagbucks. The popular rewards and survey site lets you earn cash back for not only playing games but also watching videos, shopping online, answering surveys and more.

How Does Swagbucks Work?

With Swagbucks, you can earn points called “SB” for completing simple activities online. SB can then be redeemed for cash back in the form of gift cards or PayPal cash.

Some ways to earn SB points include:

• Playing games
• Watching video ads and content
• Completing surveys
• Shopping online
• Discovering deals and promo codes
• Referring friends

Points vary based on the activity, but generally range from 4-250 SB. For example, you may earn 70 SB for a 10 minute survey or 10 SB for playing a game for a few minutes.

Key Features

Here are some of the best features of the Swagbucks platform:

• Huge selection of games – Swagbucks offers hundreds of free-to-play casual games in genres like action, puzzle, card and arcade.
• $5 minimum payout – You can redeem SB for PayPal cash or gift cards starting at just 500 SB, equivalent to $5. Lots of prize options.
• Sign-up bonus – Earn a $10 welcome bonus just for signing up and earning your first 300 SB points.
• Mobile app – Earn SB on-the-go with the Swagbucks mobile app available on iOS and Android.
• Referral program – Earn a 10% bonus on all referrals your friends make for life.

Is Swagbucks Right for You?

Swagbucks is best for those who want to make some extra side cash online without having to invest or compete against other players. The platform rewards consistent daily use through numerous activities. While cash outs take a bit longer to accumulate, it is lower risk than paid tournaments and contests.

Lucky Day – Play Games for Rewards and Raffle Prizes

If you enjoy playing mobile games just for fun and want to earn some rewards on the side, check out the free Lucky Day app. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you enter daily and hourly raffle drawings just for using the app.

How Does Lucky Day Work?

Lucky Day has you complete simple tasks like playing games, watching videos, checking in daily, and participating in surveys to earn reward points and tokens. These tokens serve as entries into frequent cash prize drawings.

The more you use Lucky Day, the more entries you gain. You can also earn bonus entries by referring friends. Each referral nets you 200 tickets into the daily $10,000 draw. Lucky Day awards over $2 million in verifiable prizes per year.

Winnings can be redeemed via PayPal or virtual Visa cards. Note that real money prizes from the draw are not guaranteed. The app also awards bonus gems and lives you can apply towards games.

Key Features

Here’s a quick look at what makes Lucky Day a rewarding gaming app:

• $10,000 daily draw – Main draw open to U.S. residents for a chance at the big prize pool.
• Hourly mini-draws – Smaller $100 hourly draws help drive consistent engagement.
• Fun mini-games – Earn lives and tokens playing simple and addicting mini-games.
• Fortune Wheel – Spin for a chance to win gems, lives, sweepstake entries and more.
• Referral program – Earn major bonus tickets for getting friends to join.

Is Lucky Day Right for You?

Lucky Day is best suited for casual gamers looking to play for fun while potentially earning reals rewards on the side. While the odds of winning are low, it doesn’t cost anything to participate. The daily check-ins and mini-games make it easy to build up tickets over time. Think of it like a rewarding bonus on top of your normal gameplay.

Mistplay – Get Rewards for Trying New Games

Ever wanted to get paid just for trying out new mobile games? That’s exactly what Mistplay offers, rewarding you for testing and leveling up in unfamiliar games.

How Does Mistplay Work?

Mistplay aims to connect mobile game developers with potential players. Developers list their games in the Mistplay app for you to try out.

As you play new games, you’ll earn points for reaching certain milestones like completing a tutorial or reaching level 5. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers. You also earn entries into frequent sweepstakes.

Mistplay contains games across all genres including puzzles, arcade, action, strategy, RPG, and more. Just browse the app, download games that look appealing, and start playing to earn. The more you level up, the bigger payouts you unlock.

Key Features

Here’s an overview of Mistplay’s key features:

• Get paid to play games – Earn cash rewards just for trying out new and upcoming game titles.
• Level system – Earn more points for hitting higher game levels. Level up for bigger payouts.
• Variety of games – With new games added daily, you’ll always have fresh titles to explore.
• Weekly contests – Compete in specialized leaderboards for bigger prizes.
• Refer friends – Earn referral points when friends join and play games.

Is Mistplay Right for You?

Mistplay is ideal for gamers looking to discover new mobile gaming experiences while getting rewarded at the same time. The more consistently and frequently you play, the faster you can earn gift card payouts. It’s perfect if you enjoy testing and providing feedback on a wide range of mobile game genres.

Long Game – Savings App with Cash Games

Tired of mindless mobile games that earn you nothing? With Long Game, you can play fun arcade games while actually building up your savings. If you need extra motivation to start saving money, Long Game turns it into a rewarding game.

How Does Long Game Work?

Long Game begins by having you open a new FDIC-insured savings account integrated directly in the app. You make small weekly or monthly deposits to this savings account to build it up over time.

Here’s where it gets fun – the app contains numerous arcade and educational games you can play to earn coins and cash. Coins let you play games and enter challenges and contests with cash prize drawings of up to $1,000.

As your savings account balance grows, you unlock higher tiers with bigger coin earnings and interest rates up to 5%. The bigger your savings, the more you earn by playing games!

Key Features

Let’s look at some of Long Game’s rewarding features:

• FDIC-insured savings – Deposits directly contribute to an FDIC-insured account with competitive interest.
• Educational games – Learn about finances and responsible money habits through fun games.
• $20 sign-up bonus – Get a bonus $20 just for opening your account and making a small deposit.
• Paid surveys – Earn additional coins by completing simple surveys in the app.
• Referral program – Get a bonus $10 for each friend you refer who opens an account.

Is Long Game Right for You?

Long Game is perfect for anyone looking to improve their savings by making it fun and rewarding. If you have trouble saving, Long Game turns it into an entertaining game that pays big dividends over time. Just a few minutes of play per day can lead to huge long-term savings.

Quiz Rewards – Get Paid to Complete Quizzes

Love showing off your trivia knowledge? With Quiz Rewards, you can get paid for completing fun quizzes and surveys right from your phone.

How Does Quiz Rewards Work?

Quiz Rewards pays you in points for each quiz you take. Quizzes test your knowledge across thousands of topics including entertainment, sports, history, politics, math, geography and more.

Each quiz contains 10+ multiple choice questions. The quizzes are quick and can be completed in just 1-2 minutes typically. The more quizzes and surveys you take, the more points you earn.

You can then cash out your points anytime for gift cards, online coupons, and other rewards. Many popular gift cards offer cash out starting at just $5.

Key Features

Let’s check out some of the best features of Quiz Rewards:

• $5 cash out minimum – Redeem points for gift cards starting at just 500 points ($5 value). Lots of rewards options.
• Thousands of quizzes – Huge selection of quizzes across every academic and entertainment topic imaginable.
• Smart quiz generator – Quizzes adapt to your interests and knowledge level based on past responses.
• Free to play – You can complete unlimited quizzes without paying anything.
• Referral program – Earn 10% of the points your friends earn for life when you refer them.

Is Quiz Rewards Right for You?

Quiz Rewards is ideal if you enjoy rapid-fire quizzes and demonstrating your wealth of knowledge. You can play for just a few minutes a day in your downtime and quickly rack up points towards gift card rewards. If you are looking for a fun brain-teaser to go with your gaming, give Quiz Rewards a try.

Solitaire Cube – Play Solitaire to Earn Cryptocurrency

For solitaire card game fans, Solitaire Cube offers you a chance to earn cryptocurrency while enjoying your favorite classic game. Available on iOS and Android, Solitaire Cube is free to download and play!

How Does Solitaire Cube Work?

Solitaire Cube is based on the popular Klondike version of solitaire. The basic gameplay remains the same, but with a cryptocurrency mining twist.

As you play games and win hands of solitaire, you’ll earn cubes. These cubes can then be redeemed for SAT points – an in-app loyalty currency. 1 cube = 1 SAT point.

Once you accumulate enough SAT points, you can cash them out for Bitcoin cryptocurrency. 1,000 SAT = $0.0001 Bitcoin. While small, these satoshis quickly add up the more you play and can eventually be cashed out.

Solitaire Cube uses the ad revenue generated from the app to fund the payouts. So you earn cryptocurrency just by playing solitaire as you normally would!

Key Features

Here’s an overview of what makes Solitaire Cube worth playing:

• Earn Bitcoin cryptocurrency – Cash out SAT loyalty points earned from gameplay for Bitcoin.
• Classic solitaire gameplay – Play the addicting Klondike version of solitaire you know and love.
• Track stats and progress – Visualize hands won, win rate, cubes earned, and SAT loyalty balance.
• Frequent updates – New backgrounds and music added regularly to keep gameplay fresh.
• Earnings calculator – See projected earnings rates based on your playtime and skill level.

Is Solitaire Cube Right for You?

If you already play solitaire frequently as a hobby, Solitaire Cube is an easy way to start earning cryptocurrency from your gameplay without any added risk. Just by enjoying your favorite card game, you can accumulate Bitcoin satoshis over time to cash out. It’s a simple, innovative concept merging crypto and casual gaming.

Brain Battle – Trivia Game with Real Money Tournaments

Love trivia? Turn your knowledge into cold hard cash with the popular Brain Battle live trivia game show app. Available for iOS and Android, it offers daily 24/7 real cash tournaments.

How Does Brain Battle Work?

Brain Battle lets you enter 1v1 trivia duels against opponents in quick 10 question matches. You can play for fun without betting, or enter wager matches with buy-ins from $0.10 to $10+.

The player with the most correct answers wins the round and claims the entire cash pot. Tournaments are held around the clock with varying prize pools. You can play up to 20 games simultaneously as questions come in.

Winnings get credited to your account instantly and can be cashed out anytime via Paypal or gift cards. You also earn gems for answering questions correctly which unlock additional features.

Key Features

Let’s check out Brain Battle’s standout features:

• 24/7 tournaments – No waiting for a scheduled time. Play tournaments anytime that suit your schedule.
• Head-to-head trivia – Take on one opponent each round in a test of knowledge.
• Real-time leaderboards – Compare your stats and win percentage to the competition.
• Private battles – Face friends directly in private trivia showdowns.
• Lightning rounds – Special 2x rewards for intense 3 minute rapidfire trivia duels.

Is Brain Battle Right for You?

Brain Battle is perfect for trivia buffs who want to profit from their knowledge. The simple head-to-head format makes it easy to fit quick games into your day. With constant tournaments and cash payouts, your winnings add up quickly compared to playing for points. Put your trivia skills to work today!

Total Trivia – Fast Quizzes with Cash Jackpot

Similar to Brain Battle, Total Trivia lets you enter live online trivia games for cash prizes. Play quick 10 question matches anytime for your chance to win a share of the jackpot.

How Does Total Trivia Work?

Total Trivia matches you with 9 other players in a 10 question trivia battle. Questions span entertainment, sports, history, and

science topics. You have 10 seconds to answer each multiple choice question.

The top 3 players at the end of the match split the cash jackpot. Minimum prizes start at $0.50 with average payouts between $1-$5. Three 15-minute tournaments run around the clock – play whenever it’s convenient for you.

Winnings get credited to your account immediately after each game. You can cash out at any time via PayPal. You also earn gems for correct answers that unlock powerups and bonuses during matches.

Key Features

Let’s look at the key benefits of Total Trivia:

• Jackpot payouts – Top performers earn a share of the prize pool up to $250.
• Quick 10 second questions – No time to Google! Test your instincts and knowledge.
• Leaderboards – See how your stats and earnings stack up on the global leaderboards.
• Badge system – Earn over 50 badges for accomplishments like 10 wins in a row.
• Lightning rounds – Special double rewards rounds for big cash jackpot potential.

Is Total Trivia Right for You?

If you love fast-paced trivia and enjoy outsmarting opponents, Total Trivia is a rewarding option. The quick 10 second format makes it easy to fit games into spare minutes in your day. And with constant tournaments running, you can play anytime for consistent payout potential. Put your trivia expertise on display and earn cash while doing it!

The Verdict – Find Your Perfect Money Making Game App

While we’ve only highlighted a few excellent options, there are tons of money making game apps available on the market today. Which one is right for you? Here are some key points to help decide:

• Skillz – If you are highly competitive and consider yourself an expert gamer in one or more genres, put your skills to the test in paid gaming contests.
• Swagbucks – Want to make some guilt-free side money online? Earn cash back for playing games, taking surveys, shopping, and more daily activities.
• Lucky Day – Prefer playing games just for fun? Earn tokens towards daily cash prize drawings just by playing games and checking in.
• Mistplay – If you love discovering and trying out new mobile games, get rewarded for doing what you enjoy already!
• Long Game – Need help saving money? Make it fun by playing games that directly build your savings balance and interest earnings.
• Quiz Rewards – Like showing off your trivia knowledge in quick quizzes? Cash out your points for gift cards to your favorite retailers.
• Solitaire Cube – For avid solitaire card players, earn Bitcoin satoshis from your daily gameplay automatically.
• Brain Battle & Total Trivia – Put your trivia expertise to the test in head-to-head and multiplayer matches with cash jackpots.

No matter your gaming preferences, there’s likely a rewarding money making app that fits your interests! Try out a few to discover which one resonates with you the most.

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Making Game Apps

How do game apps pay you real money?

Here are some of the common ways game apps generate real cash payouts:

• Direct cash prizes and rewards
• Cash sweepstakes and giveaways
• Gift cards and coupons
• Cryptocurrency earnings
• Referral bonuses
• Advertising revenue shares

By driving user engagement, apps can monetize that traffic through various incentives, giveaways, and advertisement models.

Are money making game apps legit?

Yes, most money making game apps are completely legitimate ways to earn real rewards. However, there are a few factors to consider:

Reputation – Stick to apps with lots of positive reviews and a track record of reliable payments. Beware shady apps.

Rewards Terms – Read the fine print to understand payment minimums and timing. Most gift cards have a $5-$10 minimum for example.

Scams – Avoid apps asking for personal/banking details or requiring paid subscriptions before redeeming earnings.

Country Restrictions – Some apps limit eligibility for real money payouts based on your country and local laws.

As long as you research the app’s reputation and understand the rewards terms, there are numerous legitimate options.

How much money can you make with game apps?

Income potential varies widely based on the specific app, your skill level, and time spent playing. Here are typical earning ranges:

• $5-$20+ per month – For casual players doing surveys/tasks or winning minor sweepstakes.
• $100-$500 per month – For skilled players and contest winners earning consistently.
• $1,000+ per month – For top tier professional players who invest serious time and excel in competitive games.

Like most side hustles, earnings correlate with the effort invested. But overall, game apps present a fun opportunity to generate a supplemental income stream.

What are the best game apps to make money fast?

Some apps offer faster payout potential than others. Here are great options for quicker earnings:

• Paid head-to-head trivia apps like Brain Battle where you win instantly.
• Skill/cash contest apps like Skillz with daily tournaments.
• Surveys apps like Swagbucks that offer lots of high paying surveys.
• Contest/sweepstakes apps like LuckyDay where you can enter to win daily.

In general, apps with instant payouts for real-time gameplay offer the fastest way to earn compared to point accrual games. But try out different styles, as skill level also impacts speed.

Is it possible to make a full-time income from game apps?

While unlikely for most, it is possible to generate a meaningful full-time income from skill-based game apps. This typically requires:

• Mastering one game and focusing on it exclusively.
• Investing serious time into competitive tournaments and contests.
• Maintaining an extremely high win percentage through endless practice.
• Supplementing skill game income with other money making apps.
• Cultivating a gaming-focused personal brand on social/streaming platforms.

Very few have the skill and determination to turn mobile gaming into a self-sustaining full-time job. But with passion and persistence, a decent income is achievable.

Time to Start Earning from Your Favorite Games

Gaming apps make it possible to earn real rewards just by doing an activity you already love – playing mobile games! Whether you’re into puzzles, trivia, solitaire, or hyper-competitive esports, you can get paid for having fun.

Now that you know the top money making apps across different game genres, it’s time to start playing! Just by dedicating some of your leisure gaming time, you can earn supplemental income or jackpot-style windfalls. Financial incentives will only heighten the enjoyment you already get from gaming.

Ready to turn your passion into profit? Download one of these money making apps, play to your strengths, and watch your winnings add up. You have nothing to lose and extra cash to gain. Game on!