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Inflation rose 8.3% in August 2022, largely driven by needs such as food, shelter and medical care. For the most part, the pandemic-related stimulus payments have stopped. Meanwhile, people’s investments in a bear market are losing value. It is no longer practical to sell investments – if you have them – for extra money.
All of these factors cause many people to scramble to make ends meet, increase their savings, and avoid using their credit cards to pay for everything from food to holiday gifts. For many, a part-time gig is the solution. But there are other ways to make $1,000 in a week.
Did you know that you can even make money – deposit money into your bank account or money into your PayPal account – by playing games on your phone and computer?
Best games that pay real money
Do game apps pay real money? They do — some of these apps can even pay up to $100,000 to lucky players, though those results aren’t typical. If you do play games on your phone, put down Candy Crush or Wordle and try one of these games that will give you real money in 2022.
Keep in mind that cash prizes may not be available in all states for these games and regulations vary, so read the fine print before investing too much in the idea of making money.
Which games give real money? These 12 are a good place to start.
| Game | Genre | Payout Type |
|---|---|---|
| long game | Several | bank account |
| Solitaire Cash | Card | paypal |
| Solitaire for cash | Card | PayPal or Skillz Rewards Store |
| Bubble Cash | Popping bubbles | paypal |
| DraftKings Fantasy Football | Fantasy football | Bank account, PayPal or check |
| Blackout Bingo | Casino | paypal |
| Block Blitz | Tetris | PayPal or Skillz Rewards Store |
| Strike! By Bowlero | Bowling | Cash in at Bowlero, AMF or Bowlmor bowling alleys |
| Payday pool | Swimming pool | Card, PayPal or check |
| Swagbucks | Several | paypal |
| Inbox INDollars | Several | PayPal, prepaid Visa or gift card |
| Wealth Words | Words puzzle | paypal |
1. Long game
Long Game rewards you for saving money with relatively high interest rates through an online savings account and a chance to earn both money and cryptocurrency by playing fun games.
First you earn coins by saving money in the app, then you use those coins to play games ranging from spin the wheel and slot machines to a fun Candy Crush-esque game or a Fruit Ninja clone. You can earn more coins or cash – up to $15,000. The best thing about the game is that you don’t have to pay to play; you earn coins to play by depositing money into a savings account and you can access that money at any time via bank transfer or debit card.
Pros
Earn real money or cryptocurrency while developing good savings habits.
cons
Customer service can reportedly be spotty and there is no way to reach a human for help. It can be stressful when the game crashes, but you can always access your money by logging into the online bank, Aspiration.
2. Solitaire Cash
You may remember the 1990s when office workers passed the time playing solitaire on Windows computers? Now you can slack off your business time while earning extra cash with Papaya Gaming’s Solitaire Cash!
The game is free to download, but you can pay money to participate in tournaments and win cash prizes. The game offers multiple versions of solitaire, so you are sure to find one that you like. Or you can go retro with the classic Klondike Solitaire and party – with your winnings – like it’s 1999.
Pros
Solitaire Cash is rated 4.6 stars on the Apple App Store and tons of solitaire versions to choose from.
cons
It is only available for iOS or Samsung Galaxy, not for other Android phones.
3. Cash Solitaire
Solitaire for Cash from Skillz, gives Android users the opportunity to play a highly rated, free solitaire game for cash prizes. The app has 4.5 stars in the Google Play store and 4.8 stars for the iOS version in the Apple App Store. Play for free or pay cash to enter tournaments for big prizes.
Pros
You can win money or prizes in the Rewards store.
cons
Only the traditional Klondike version of solitaire is available.
4. Bubble Cash
Bubble popping games are usually fun, calming – and a little addictive. If you’re going to spend time on your phone popping brightly colored bubbles, you might as well make money while doing it, right?
Another winning game from Papaya Gaming, Bubble Cash earned a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the App Store and is rated #5 for casino games. Reviewers call it “soothing and enjoyable,” although some noted that winning money is difficult. To win money, you have to pay to participate in tournaments against other players.
5. DraftKings Fantasy Football
Fantasy football has always been a draw for many people. DraftKings brings the experience to your mobile device with the opportunity to win cash prizes. Right now, the game developer — which also offers a Sportsbook, an online casino, and other opportunities to win cash or NFTs — is giving players a free $3 ticket with a $5 deposit.
You can play private games against your friends or compete for millions of dollars in prizes. Entry fees can range from $15 to $4,444 for a draft with a maximum of 634 players, giving you good chances of winning.
Pros
DraftKings offers great prizes and low entry fees. You can play on any device or platform.
cons
Some knowledge of NFL football is preferred.
6. Blackout Bingo
Available for Android or iOS devices, Blackout Bingo is free to play and delivers a choice of cash – via PayPal – or fun merch if you win. The Skillz version of this classic game plays just like regular bingo, with bonuses available for speed completion. You can pay to enter tournaments for cash prizes of $3,000 or more. You can also earn money by referring friends to play the game. When they make their first deposit you will earn $20 each.
Pros
Blackout Bingo has a 4.5 star rating in both the Google Play and App stores. You can exchange rewards for prizes, gift cards or cash.
cons
There is an administration fee of $1.50 for withdrawals under $10.
7. Block Blitz
If you like Tetris you will waste hours playing Block Blitz. But the good news is that you can earn money while stacking colored cubes on your screen, so you’re not wasting any time at all!
This game from Skillz is available for Android or iOS, with an average rating of 4.55 on both platforms. When you make it to the Pro League, you can compete for prizes up to $1,000, with payouts of $200 per winner or higher.
Pros
The retro gameplay brings back memories of Tetris and Dr. mario. And it’s free to play.
cons
Some reviewers in the Galaxy Store mention that the app crashes frequently.
8. Hit! By Bowlero
If you enjoy bowling – virtually or at your local lanes – you will enjoy the opportunity to earn money or rewards that you can redeem at your local Bowlero, AMF or Bowlmor bowling alleys.
The game is available for both Android and iOS and received a 4.7 star rating on Apple’s App Store. Users love the easy, intuitive interface, realistic controls, and the choice of blacklight or classic bowling to keep things interesting. It is played on the Skillz platform and you can compete against players around the world. Players who play the most games each month can earn $250 at a private event at a Bowlero Corp. bowling alley.
Pros
Earn money or redeem rewards for prizes at local bowling alleys.
cons
Promotion codes can only be applied for bonus money after you have made a deposit in the game.
9. Payday Pool
If bowling isn’t your game, you might like Pool Payday, another game on the Skillz mobile gaming platform. With an average rating of 4.55 stars on both Android and iOS platforms, the game offers an intuitive, realistic interface to play billiards in real time against other live, remote opponents and win cash or prizes.
As with other Skillz games, you can easily withdraw money, up to the amount you deposited, using the same credit card or PayPal account. To cash in winnings, you can request a check.
Pros
Compete against other players in real time to win cash or prizes.
cons
As with other Skillz games, withdrawals under $10 that exceed your total deposit amount will incur a $1.50 fee.
10. Swagbucks
Many people think of Swagbucks as a shopping app that allows you to earn money back for purchases or for browsing the web. But you can also play games and earn up to $45 depending on the levels you reach. Best of all, the games are free to play and include everything from casino games and bingo to puzzles and card games.
Pros
Plenty of options for games. You can cash out to PayPal with winnings starting at $5.
cons
Most games have a 14 day deadline to hit a milestone and earn money.
11. Inbox Dollars
InboxDollars is a service, like Swagbucks, that lets you complete activities — and share your referral code — for cash, prizes, gift cards, and other rewards. The company has partnered with GSN Games to offer skill games such as Mahjong Solitaire and Outspell, where you can earn cash prizes. When you buy GSN Games credit, you also earn 18% cashback with InboxDollars.
Pros
InboxDollars is available for Android, iOS or computers. You can earn cash, PayPal deposits or gift cards.
cons
There are faster, easier ways than playing games to monetize the app. You can’t cash out until you’ve earned $25.
12. Wealth Words
Are you addicted to the New York Times daily Wordle game? Why not try making money through Wealth Words? The game is available on Android, iOS and computers and provides clues to help you solve word puzzles. Pay between $1 and $5 to compete for cash prizes as the fastest to solve crossword puzzles and more. There is also a Wordle type game, Wordoku and more.
Pros
Wealth Words is available on iOS, Android and computer. You can pay out via PayPal.
cons
The payout minimum is $20.
To take off
You probably won’t get rich playing games for money, but if you enjoy playing games to relax, you might as well have the opportunity to earn some extra cash while doing so.
Editor’s Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analysis, reviews, ratings, or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
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