Here are 16 websites that pay you to play games.
Let me know what you think, ask me a question, or suggest something I cover in the future in the comments below!
Table of Contents:
- Second Life
- Entropia Universe
- One Up
- PlayerUp
- WorldWinner
- Twitch
- YouTube
- Facebook Gaming
- DLive
- BIGO
- GosuGamers
- FeaturePoints
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- Gamer Sensei
- PlaytestCloud
1. Second Life
Second Life is an online game that allows you to essentially create a second life for yourself in a Sims-like world.
You can sell real estate, be a rockstar, or do just about anything that maybe you wish you could do in real life.
The cool thing about Second Life is you can actually convert in-game currency (Linden Dollars) to real-life currency.
You can actually make a lot of money creating a business within this game and converting currency.
In fact, someone named Anshe Chung became the first millionaire on Second Life by selling real estate.
Here's a link to how the Second Life economy works.
2. Entropia Universe
While Second Life is a game that is based more in the present day, you can also make money playing a more futuristic game like Entropia Universe.
It's the same basic idea as Second Life.
You play the game, earn digital currency and then you can exchange it for real-life currency.
Here's more info on their currency exchange.
3. One Up
One Up is an app/site that allows you to earn money playing video games like NBA 2k, Madden, and other 1v1 or tournament style against others.
With One Up, you and another player each bet money on a match and the winner takes all (minus the 10% fee One Up takes).
4. PlayerUp
PlayerUp is a video game account marketplace where you can build accounts and sell them.
They pride themselves on making sure players can legally and safely make video game account transactions.
5. WorldWinner
If you like the idea of entering a little money and having the chance of making more by being other people at a game, try WorldWinner.
Here, you do tournament style or head-to-head games with the chance to win money if you win or place in the top tier of players.
You can play games like Wheel of Fortune, Bingo, and other classic games.
6. Twitch
With Twitch, as you probably know, you can earn money by streaming live while playing video games.
People can watch as you play and interact with you in the chat.
You also have many different ways of earning revenue:
- Ads
- Game affiliate commissions
- Sponsors
- Subscriptions
- Donations
Here's a full breakdown of how much you can make and how you get paid with Twitch.
7. YouTube
Another way to make money gaming is by using one of the biggest sites in the world, YouTube.
With YouTube, obviously you can make money creating video content about almost anything.
What's nice about YouTube is you don't have to just stream live like you do on Twitch.
You can also just upload videos that people can search for on the site.
For instance, you could upload tutorials, crazy clips that happened when you were playing online, etc.
And then, of course, once your audience is large enough, you can start monetizing your channel with ads, subscriptions, and more.
8. Facebook Gaming
Another alternative to a site like Twitch is Facebook Gaming.
If you want to stream live while gaming, earn money and build an audience with one of the largest user bases in the world, you could do a lot worse than Facebook Gaming.
It's kind of like Twitch and YouTube Live where you can make money from subscriptions, fan purchased stickers, etc.
They also bought out one of Twitch's biggest competitors, Mixer.
Here's a breakdown I did of Facebook Gaming.
9. DLive
Yet another game streaming alternative to Twitch and Facebook Gaming is DLive.
DLive doesn't have near as much traffic and popularity as Twitch or Facebook Gaming, but still has quite a few users.
What's unique about DLive is that its monetization is cryptocurrency-based.
As far as how fans pay you, it's through gifts, upvotes, and donations.
10. BIGO
Another streaming site like Twitch is BIGO.
Here, you can get paid to live stream yourself playing games, singing, or doing all kinds of other things.
You get paid from fans buying you gifts known as diamonds.
Here's a breakdown on how it works.
11. GosuGamers
Are you an esports fan?
If so, you can try your hand at betting on esports players/teams at GosuGamers.
Here's a tutorial on how to do it using a combination of GosuGamers and your Steam account.
12. FeaturePoints (Full review here)
With FeaturePoints, a free app and website for making extra money, you can get paid to try out mobile games and other apps.
When you get FeaturePoints on your phone, they will have lots of app and mobile game listings that they will pay you lots of points to download through them and try out.
Once you download the promoted apps and games through FeaturePoints, you just have to use them for around 2 minutes before you get the points.
Points can be exchanged for Bitcoin, gift cards, Google Play credit, PayPal, etc.
You can also earn money by:
- Watching videos.
- Taking surveys.
- Shopping online and earning cash back.
- Doing free trials and other offers
They also have a great referral program where you can earn 50% of whatever your referrals earn for life.
So, if you just refer a few power users to FeaturePoints, you can be raking in passive income for a long time without doing much.
Plus, FeaturePoints pays you very quickly when you request a payment.
Usually they'll pay you via PayPal within a few hours.
The app is also available for both iOS and Android devices.
Use code: E7KRRE for 50 free points!
13. InboxDollars
With InboxDollars, a free website and app, you can get paid to shop, scan receipts, read emails, watch videos, play games, take advantage of offers, take surveys, etc.
It takes $20 to cash out and you can get paid via PayPal, Amazon gift cards, Visa gift cards, etc.
Ibotta also has a referral program that lets you earn extra money off people who sign up with your link.
When people sign up through your referral link, they get a $10 bonus after scanning their first receipt and you get a $5 bonus.
They also do occasional promotions that pay more for referrals.
14. Swagbucks
With Swagbucks, you can get paid to do lots of things:
- Watch videos
- Take surveys
- Refer friends
- Shop online
- Search the internet
- Play games
- Complete offers
When it comes to playing games, they have a ton of options.
You can get paid to play games like:
- Solitaire Rush
- Angry Birds Champions
- Trivial Pursuit
- Wheel of Fortune
- Scrabble Cubes
You can earn even more by downloading certain games on your phone through Swagbucks.
You'll just need $25 in your account to cash out and you can do so via PayPal, gift cards, etc.
Plus, you can earn $10 just for signing up and trying it out.
15. Gamer Sensei
Are you really good at popular multiplayer video games like Fortnite, Rocket League, League of Legends, etc.?
Well with Gamer Sensei, you can actually get paid to be a gaming coach for people who want to get better.
You can get started as a coach as young as 13 years old and even set your own prices.
With this site, you can also set your own hours.
16. PlaytestCloud
At PlaytestCloud, you can get paid to test mobile games on your smartphone.
You typically get paid around $9 per 15 minutes of playtime.
There is also no minimum threshold you have to meet to collect your earnings and you'll get paid via PayPal.
Also, this site is mainly for the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
