Are you looking for a new game to make real money? If so, you’re in the right place.

If you have quick hands, a sharp mind, and are familiar with the rules and strategies of some of the popular games online – you can turn that expertise into real money in competitive tournaments and head to head matches.

If you’re looking for a way to entertain yourself and earn a few dollars at the same time, there are a few ways you can do that right now.

Mobile games are a fun activity in your free time. Unlike the very first phone games such as Angry Birds and Flappy Bird that were for entertainment only, today it’s easy to find games that pay real money today.

Many rely on competition, so being quick and strategy can really pay off.

From arcade games to trivia, you can have fun and make a little money in your spare time.

Many games are free to download while some may require in-app purchases. These games are all legit being run by large corporations with millions in revenue and funding.

We list them all below this table but these are our favorites (and why):

Works With: Android and iOS devices

Prize Options: PayPal and gift card rewards

Swagbucks can be one of the best platforms to discover new moneymaking games and other rewarding activities. You can earn between $1 and $45 per game by reaching certain levels. Each game offer lists the accomplishments you must achieve and the completion deadline. Most games require you to complete the milestones within 14 days.

You will find games for many niches, including Adventure, Bingo, Casino, Card games, Dice, and Puzzles.

The offers update regularly as new games launch. As you complete a mission, there is most likely another option available to make money.

There are several other activities to earn rewards points – online surveys, shopping online, scanning paper receipts, signing up for product offers, and watching videos.

Another reason to consider Swagbucks is for the low payout thresholds. Amazon gift card redemptions start at $1. You will need $5 to request PayPal cash or gift cards to other brands.

You only need to be 13 years old to join Swagbucks.

Read our Swagbucks review to learn more

Learn more about Swagbucks

Works With: iOS Only (Samsung soon!)

Prize Options: Cash and prizes

Solitaire Smash: Real Cash! is a wonderfully designed solitaire game that pits you up against other players of similar skill level using the exact same deck. You can compete against them head-to-head or in a tournament but it relies totally on skill, making it one of the fairest games available.

There are real money tournaments and you can cash out with PayPal and Apple Pay. There are also daily gifts and bonuses along with special challenges and surprises to keep the game exciting.

The gameplay is fast and intuitive. There’s also a way to undo moves to try something completely different, a nice little feature that can really tap on your experience and skills.

Cash tournaments are not available in the following states: Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, and South Caroline.

Learn more about Solitaire Smash

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash and merchandise

Blackout Bingo is available for Android and iOS mobile devices and users can win cash prizes. It’s one of our favorite games that pay real money because each round takes just two minutes and is free. Players compete against other users who see the same balls and game cards. You will need to be the first player to get “BINGO” to win prizes.

There are several ways to earn points for this game:

It’s also possible to earn boosts that can help you claim squares without waiting for the caller to call the corresponding number.

You can redeem your points for PayPal cash prizes and merchandise like t-shirts and phone cases.

Please Note! Cash tournaments are available in most of the world. Cash tournaments are not enabled in the following states: AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, SD. If you don’t live in a prize-enabled region, you can still play for free.

Learn more about Blackout Bingo

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash

Bubble Cash is a skill-based pop shooter game where you get to test your skill in classic Bubble Shooter games. It’s both fun and competitive where you get a chance to solve a puzzle (who can pop all their bubbles first) against other people and compete for prizes.

Unlike some other games, where there’s an aspect of luck involved, with Bubble Cash there is no luck – every player gets the same layout so it’s really about how fast and how accurate you can pop. The top three ranking wins in these real-money tournaments.

It’s free to play, there are no ads and you can cash out with PayPal. Cash prizes are not available in Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota.

Get Bubble Cash for iOS

Get Bubble Cash for Android

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash, crypto, gift cards

Freecash is a rewards program that gives you a chance to earn coins, convertible to cash, crypto, and gift cards; when you play games, answer surveys, and complete offers. It got its start as Freeskins.com, which allowed gamers the chance to earn free skins when they completed offers, played games and answered surveys.

They’ve since expanded to appeal to everyone.

It has games but it also has other ways you can earn rewards. It’s completely free and you get free coins when you join, so you are that much closer to rewards.

Here’s our full review of Freecash if you want to learn more.

Learn more about Freecash

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash

Lucky Match is a free to play app that lets you win money while playing board games. These include spinning wheel games, scratch offs, or other cash games. There are matching games, puzzle games, and other classic styles you’ve become accustomed to.

Learn more about Lucky Match

Solitaire Cash is the solitaire game offered by Papaya Gaming, one of the largest gaming companies in the world. It’s a completely free game that you can download right now and play against other people around the world.

Solitaire Cash offers a lot of variety from classic Klondike Solitaire. If you’re a Solitaire aficionado, you’ll find a version you are familiar with. If you like to bounce around, you may discover a new version you love even more.

The design in smooth and sleek so you won’t be frustrated when you play – it’s fast paced and engaging.

Free to download and play. If you enter tournaments, you can even earn real money. Cash tournaments are not available in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, and Washington.

With 209.9K ratings, it has a 4.6 out of 5 on the Apple App Store.

Learn more about Solitaire Cash

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash and merch

Solitaire Cube is a fast-paced Solitaire game where each hand only takes a few minutes. You can compete against individuals or in multiplayer tournaments.

Tournament entries start at $1 but higher payouts require a larger buy-in. You can win cash prizes or also redeem your winning for merchandise.

Practice rounds are free and can be a great way to learn the rules and also play for fun when you don’t want to spend money.

Please Note! Cash tournaments are available in most of the world. Cash tournaments are not enabled in the following states: AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, SD. If you don’t live in a prize-enabled region, you can still play for free.

Learn more about Solitaire Cube

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash (PayPal & Apple Pay)

If you enjoy Bingo and think you can beat the masses, you’ll enjoy Bingo Cash from Papaya Gaming. It’s free to download and play with a load of variety. If there’s a version of bingo you like, this app will have it.

The best part is that you’re matched with people of similar skill with the top three finishers being considered wins. You don’t have to top of the heap, being in the top three is good enough.

You can earn real money when you enter cash tournaments as long as you are not a resident of Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, South Carolina, or Washington.

Learn more about Bingo Cash

Works With: Android only

Prize Options: Gift card rewards

Rewarded Play is an Android app where you play games (like Solitaire, Wheel of Fortune, Yahtzee, Mahjong, etc.) and earn reward points that can be converted into gift cards at places like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc. If you enjoy playing games, they can introduce you to the most popular ones available and the more you play them, the more points you earn.

This isn’t like other games where you have to deposit cash and compete against other people to earn money in tournaments. It’s completely free and many people earn their first gift card within 48 hours.

Rewarded Play has been downloaded over 10 million times and has 4.3 stars on 171K reviews on the Google Play store.

Learn more about Rewarded Play

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash

If you enjoy angles and digital pool, consider Pool Payday. It can be a fun app to play against friends for free or participate in cash tournaments. You will need to pay a small entry fee to enter tournaments.

If you win a tournament, your payment options include PayPal, Apple Pay, and other digital wallet options.

You can earn bonus points by completing trick shots, bank shots, speed, and ball placement.

Please Note! Cash tournaments are available in most of the world. Cash tournaments are not enabled in the following states: AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, SD. If you don’t live in a prize-enabled region, you can still play for free.

Learn more about Pool Payday

Works With: Android devices only

Prize Options: Retail gift cards and Visa prepaid cards

Mistplay is exclusively for Android users and only offers game apps to earn money. There are many game options to choose from but you may need to make in-app purchases to reach advanced levels sooner.

The platform lets you redeem points for awards as small as 50 cents for Amazon gift cards. Other redemptions start at $5 for prepaid virtual Visa gift cards. Some gift cards may require a minimum $10 balance. The bigger reward levels tend to have a higher per point value.

You will earn points as you install and complete the in-game tasks. In addition to earning points when reaching higher levels inside games, you will earn points with the Mistplay loyalty program. Having a higher loyalty status lets can help you earn bonus points.

This service doesn’t offer PayPal cash rewards like other gaming apps. However, virtual Visa prepaid cards can be a good alternative.

Learn more about Mistplay

Works With: Android

Prize Options: Cash, PayPal, and gift cards

Cash Giraffe is a fun way to earn money or gift cards while you play a variety of games. There are all types of games – arcade, adventure, casual, and strategic games. There are no in-app purchases, no deposits, and no advertisements.

You’re given points simply for playing the games and everything is tracked by time. You don’t have to gamble or compete against other people, it’s just for playing.

Learn more about Cash Giraffe

Works With: Android

Prize Options: Paypal, gift cards

Cash’em All is an app that pays you to play their free games – there are no ads, no deposits, no in-app purchases – you earn rewards based on how long you play games on their list. You don’t have to win tournaments, you don’t have to put in any of your money, and the reviews are positive. How much you earn will depend on the game, how often you play, and how long you’ve had to play it.

Learn more about Cash’em All

Works With: Android, iOS, and computers

Prize Options: Cash, PayPal, and gift cards

InboxDollars offers multiple ways to earn cash rewards, including games.

There are a few free games you can play like Mahjong Solitaire and Outspell. However, the best opportunities are GSN games that require purchases. You get 18% cashback on your GSN credit purchases.

Here are some of the better ways to make money with this platform:

Completing specific tasks lets you earn instant win scratch games to win cash prizes. The Scratch & Win cards have a maximum prize of $100 if you’re an active member.

The redemption minimum is $25 and the payment options are direct deposit, paper check, PayPal, and gift cards.

New members get a $5 signup bonus by joining InboxDollars.

Read our InboxDollars review to learn more.

Learn more about InboxDollars

Works With: Android, iOS, Windows PC, and Apple/Mac

Prize Options: Cash and gift cards

MyPoints only offers games that require purchases to play at the moment. The platform partners with WorldWinner for cash tournaments.

Instead of entering these daily tournaments directly through WorldWinner, MyPoints lets you get 4 points per $1 of game entries. First-time players can get a one-time deposit too.

You can practice these games for free and the entry fee starts at 25 cents. If you’re successful, your daily winnings can be more than playing games that require several days of play to meet the payout requirements.

Some of the games you can play are from these franchises – Angry Birds, Bejeweled, Scrabble, Solitaire, Spades, Super Plinko, Trivial Pursuit, and Wheel of Fortune.

There are several other ways to earn rewards points on MyPoints and no purchase is necessary for several. Some of the options include taking online surveys, watching videos, and trying new apps.

Online shopping and in-store purchases along with product trials are available too if you’re willing to spend money.

You only need $3 to start redeeming your rewards for gift cards to Amazon and $5 for many other restaurants and stores. PayPal cash redemptions start at $10.

Here’s our full MyPoints review.

Learn more about MyPoints

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: Cash and gift cards

Another timeless game, Fives (also known as Muggins, All Fives, Five Up, and Doer Di), lets you earn real money through Dominoes Gold. You can compete in daily tournaments to win cash prizes.

First, you can play free games against your opponent to improve your skills. However, you won’t play them head-on but against the computer with an identical board. The human with the most points wins.

Once you’re ready to win real money, you can compete in live tournaments versus other players. Winners can receive PayPal cash, gift cards, merchandise, and sweepstakes.

Please Note! Cash tournaments are available in most of the world. Cash tournaments are not enabled in the following states: AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, SD. If you don’t live in a prize-enabled region, you can still play for free.

Learn more about Dominoes Gold

Works With: Android and iOS

Prize Options: PayPal, Gift cards, Steam coupons, etc

AppStation is another platform that gives you rewards for playing the games and is based entirely on the time you put into it. When you play, you earn and you don’t have to figure out your earning rates, just play and earn.

When you download the app, you start with 4444 coin rewards and are well on your way to cashing out for some good rewards.

Learn more about Appstation

Works With: iOS and Android

Prize Options: Cash, PayPal, and gift cards

I remember playing Big Buck Hunter in local bars all the time during college, I had no idea (but am not at all surprised) it was ported to smartphones and offer you the ability to compete against other players to win cash prizes.

If you never played it, the premise was simple – you’re a hunter and you need to shoot bucks (male deer). You tap and hold to look down the scope of your rifle, drag to aim, and then release to fire the rifle. Hit the buck and you get points. Hit female deer, or does (they’re the ones without antlers) and you lose points.

It’s not a difficult game but it’s not an easy one either. You can win cash prizes competing in tournaments or head to head against other players.

Learn more about Big Buck Hunter

Works With: Android

Prize Options: Cash, PayPal, and gift cards

Money Well is another game platform that awards you tickets just for playing the games on their app. When you play, you earn tickets you can use to get gift cards and discount vouchers from various brands. You can also earn cash payouts.

There are no in-app purchases, no money to deposit, and no advertising. You are awarded tickets just by playing and the tickets are based on time alone. There’s no need to win, you don’t compete in tournaments, and you can always see how many tickets you’re earning.

Learn more about Money Well

Works With: Android

Prize Options: Cashback and gift cards

With Scrambly, you can earn cash rewards for completing various tasks, such as answering surveys for marketers, testing apps, and playing games. Scrambly’s purpose is to help brands get consumer feedback or test out new apps — and those brands are happy to pay you in exchange for your time.

Your rewards can come in the form of cash back via Visa, Amazon, or PayPal, or you can redeem for virtual gift cards with Google Play, Apple, Spotify, and Walmart.

Cashouts are instant, with just a $1 minimum to PayPal, and you can withdraw as much as you like.

Learn more about Scrambly

Here are some frequent questions about playing games that pay real money.

Most games require you to be at least 18 years old to play games and make money including non-casino games.

A few games that pay you don’t require any upfront or in-app purchases. However, you may need to dedicate a lot of time during a short period to reach the level necessary to receive payment. This strategy is common for adventure, RPG, and puzzle games.

Most games that pay you require in-app purchases to reach levels on time or an upfront tournament buy-in before you earn any points. Casino games may not earn money if you don’t finish well in the tournament.Many games of chance let you practice for free to improve your skills before you compete for cash.

Most rewards games offer cash payments by PayPal or direct deposit. Others will pay cash directly to Cash App. Gift cards are another popular redemption option for the largest retail and restaurant brands. Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards can be available too.

Yes – the game apps we list pay money. While there are mobile game scams out there, most game apps are free and pay out reliably. Each game has different payment policies and redemption minimums. You will want to find a game with low redemption minimums, low fees, and (potentially) multiple ways to make money like micro-task sites.

You won’t get rich playing games, but it can be a fun way to earn a little extra cash if you enjoy playing them. Whether it’s worth it depends on how you approach it. If you enjoy playing the games, then making a little money is a nice side benefit. If you’re looking for this to replace an income, it’s simply not possible. You will not earn enough to make a living but you will earn more than what you would playing Candy Crush.

If you’d like to review games instead of just playing them, check out Testerup.

As you can see, there are many ways to make money by playing games. It doesn’t matter if you prefer casino games, adventure, puzzle, or arcade games. While some platforms have a pay-to-play policy, you can stack cash and gift cards for your efforts.