8 ways to make money from playing games

If you’re searching for enjoyable and straightforward methods to earn money, few options are as appealing as getting paid to play games.

Earning extra cash by playing video games is undoubtedly one of the top ways to make money in your spare time.

Our suggestions cover a wide range of options, from quick and convenient methods to earn income from the comfort of your home to opportunities that can turn into full-time careers. It’s worth noting that you don’t necessarily have to be a professional gamer to make money through these avenues, although some tips may be particularly relevant to skilled gamers.

Regardless of what you’re seeking, there’s bound to be a money-making idea that suits your interests and preferences.

In this guide, we exclude games that rely on luck and require you to spend money for a chance to win cash prizes. These types of games fall into the category of gambling, which can lead to financial losses. Thus, we do not recommend them.

If you’re eager to explore enjoyable ways to earn money by playing video games, you’re in the right place.

How to get paid to play video games

These are the best ways to make money by playing games:

Play games to earn money on Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website and app that offers various ways to earn money, including playing games, participating in paid surveys, watching videos, and more.

By completing tasks on Swagbucks, you accumulate SB points, which can be redeemed for free gift cards or PayPal money.

There is a wide selection of games available on the platform.

As mentioned earlier, we advise caution when it comes to games that require spending money for the chance to win rewards, such as casino or bingo games. However, on Swagbucks, there are games that you can play without any required payment.

Before playing each game, make sure to check the conditions for earning SB points. Some games may require downloading, reaching specific levels, or meeting certain timeframes for progression.

While there are free online games that don’t require downloads, it’s important to note that SB points may not be awarded for every play.

The good news is that new users who join Swagbucks through the provided link can receive a sign-up bonus.

If you’re interested in earning money through gaming and other activities, Swagbucks offers a platform to explore and potentially generate rewards.

Sign up to Swagbucks »
Become a Twitch streamer

Twitch is a video-streaming site that’s heavily focused on video games.

As a Twitch streamer, there’s the potential for you to make money by filming yourself playing games

This won’t be for everyone. But, if it appeals to you, it can be a good way to make some extra money in your spare time.

To gain subscribers, you’ll need to regularly post fresh and engaging content. If the videos just feature you sitting in silence in front of a video game, this is unlikely to keep a viewer’s attention – let alone encourage them to pay to watch your streams.

If you’re keen to give it a go, there are loads of ways to make money on the platform. A few examples are receiving bits (Twitch’s virtual currency), joining the Twitch Affiliate and Partner programmes and doing affiliate marketing.

The amount streamers earn varies. Although it’s possible to get rich if you become one of the leading Twitch creators, not everyone will make huge amounts of money from their streams.
Work as a video games tutor

If you have expertise in video games and would like to share your knowledge while earning money, working as a gaming tutor could be a great option for you. The flexibility of tutoring allows you to easily fit it around your university timetable.

To start as a gaming tutor, consider advertising your services on platforms like Fiverr and Superprof. Take a look at these websites to get an idea of how much other gaming tutors charge and the specific types of games they specialize in.

When deciding which games to focus on teaching, it’s beneficial to consider the ones commonly played in major competitions. This can help you stand out and attract aspiring professional gamers who are looking to improve their skills.

Alternatively, if your goal is to become a professional gamer yourself, the next tip may be more relevant to you.
Compete in gaming tournaments to win cash prizes

To earn money as a professional esports gamer, you must be at the top of your game (pun intended), and some competitions offer substantial cash prizes.

For instance, Dota 2 accumulated a prize pool of $32.85 million (approximately £26.3 million) in 2022, as reported by Statista.

However, it’s important to note that the biggest tournaments are highly competitive. Even with dedicated preparation, there’s no guarantee of winning any prize money.

Additionally, certain video game tournaments may have entry costs. Therefore, if you’re seeking a reliable source of income as a student, it may be safer to consider a part-time job.

Nevertheless, if you’re fortunate enough to receive an esports scholarship, it could cover the expenses associated with competing.
Apply for an esports scholarship

While esports scholarships are relatively uncommon, they do exist and offer opportunities for talented student gamers.

For instance, the University of Roehampton provides esports scholarships of £1,500 per year to select skilled student gamers. Additionally, they have introduced the Women in Esports scholarship, aimed at promoting women’s participation in the gaming industry. More information about these scholarships can be found on the University of Roehampton’s website.

It’s important to note that not all universities offer esports scholarships, so if you’re already enrolled in a university, it might be challenging to find such opportunities. However, if you’re in the process of applying to universities and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in esports, it’s worth considering this aspect when selecting which university to attend.

Find esports scholarship
Work as a games tester

To earn money as a professional esports gamer, you must be at the top of your game (pun intended), and some competitions offer substantial cash prizes.

For instance, Dota 2 accumulated a prize pool of $32.85 million (approximately £26.3 million) in 2022, as reported by Statista.

However, it’s important to note that the biggest tournaments are highly competitive. Even with dedicated preparation, there’s no guarantee of winning any prize money.

Additionally, certain video game tournaments may have entry costs. Therefore, if you’re seeking a reliable source of income as a student, it may be safer to consider a part-time job.

Nevertheless, if you’re fortunate enough to receive an esports scholarship, it could cover the expenses associated with competing.

7. Make money as a gamer on social media

If you have a passion for video games and enjoy using social media, you can leverage both interests to earn money as a gaming influencer.

Becoming a gaming influencer requires a certain level of comfort in regularly sharing content on social media platforms and the ability to cultivate an engaged audience of online followers.

Similar to earning money on Twitch, becoming a gaming influencer entails sharing your gaming experiences with others. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube offer excellent opportunities to share gaming-related content. You can provide game tips, post humorous videos that resonate with gamers, or combine different content styles to cater to your audience.

To begin your journey as a gaming influencer, it’s helpful to explore existing gaming influencers on each social media platform for inspiration and insights into what type of content resonates best with the audience.

Additionally, our guide to making money from social media can provide you with valuable tips on how to monetize your content effectively.

8. Design video games

Have you ever had a dream of designing your own game? If you possess both a game idea and the technical skills to create a website or app, this can be an incredible opportunity to earn money while also making your mark in the gaming industry. Moreover, it would be a noteworthy addition to your CV.

Although this tip doesn’t involve making money directly from playing games, being an experienced gamer can greatly benefit you in designing a successful and engaging game.

Creating your game will require a significant time investment, but once it’s developed, you can start generating income from it. There are various ways to monetize your game, such as charging users for its purchase, offering in-app purchases, or incorporating advertisements.

When considering how to monetize your game, think about which technique would be most suitable for your specific game. If you’re uncertain, compare similar games available in the market and assess whether they are paid or free to play, as well as if they incorporate advertisements.

Embarking on the journey of designing and monetizing your own game can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.