12 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2023: (2024)

If you’re trying to make ends meet, bolster your emergency savings or avoid using your credit cards to pay for extras, taking on a part-time gig is one solution. But there are also other ways to earn $1,000 in a week.

Did you know you can even earn money — actual cash deposits into your bank account or money in your PayPal account — by playing games on your phone and computer?

Best Games That Pay Real Money

Do any game apps actually pay real money? They do — in fact, some of these apps can even pay as much as $100,000 to lucky players, although those results are not typical. If you’re playing games on your phone, anyway, put down Candy Crush or Wordle and try one of these games that can earn you real money in 2023.

Keep in mind cash prizes may not be available in all states for these games, and regulations vary, so read the fine print before you get too invested in the idea of earning money.

What games give real money? These 12 are a good place to start.

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, and then you use those coins to play games ranging from spin the wheel and slot machines to a fun Candy Crush-like game or a Fruit Ninja clone. You can earn more coins or cash — up to $15,000. The best thing about the game is you don’t have to pay to play; you earn coins to play by depositing money into a savings account and you can access those funds at any time via bank transfer or a debit card.

Pros

Earn real money or cryptocurrency while developing good savings habits.

Cons

Customer service can reportedly be spotty, and there’s no way to reach a human being for help. It can be stressful if the game crashes, but you can always access your funds by logging into the online bank, Aspiration.

2. Solitaire Cash

You might remember the 1990s, when office workers passed the time by playing solitaire on Windows computers? Now, you can slack off on company time while earning extra cash with Papaya Gaming’s Solitaire Cash!

The game is free to download, but you can pay money to enter tournaments and win cash prizes. The game offers multiple versions of solitaire, so you’re sure to find one you love. Or you can go retro with the classic Klondike Solitaire and party — with your winnings — like it’s 1999.

Pros

Solitaire Cash has a 4.6-star rating on the Apple App Store and tons of solitaire versions to choose from.

Cons

It’s only available for iOS or Samsung Galaxy, not other Android phones.

3. Solitaire for Cash

Solitaire for Cash by Skillz gives Android users an 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 for the iOS version in Apple’s App Store. Play for free or pay cash to compete in tournaments for big prizes.

Pros

You can win cash or prizes in the Rewards store.

Cons

Only the traditional, Klondike version of solitaire is available.

4. Bubble Cash

Bubble-popping games tend to be fun, calming — and a bit addicting. If you’re going to spend time on your phone trying to pop brightly colored bubbles, you may as well earn cash while you’re doing it, right?

Another winning game from Papaya Gaming, Bubble Cash earned a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in the App Store and is rated #7 in Casino games. Reviewers call it “soothing and enjoyable,” although some noted that it’s difficult to win cash. To win money, you’ll want to pay to enter tournaments against other players.

Pros

Bubble Cash is highly rated and reportedly fun to play.

Cons

You must pay to enter tournaments to have a chance of winning cash.

5. DraftKings Fantasy Football

Fantasy football is a draw for many people. DraftKings brings the experience to your mobile device with an 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 offering a deposit bonus of up to $500.

You can play private games against your friends or compete for millions of dollars in prizes. Entry fees can range from $15 up to $4,444 for a draft that’s capped at 634 players, giving you good odds of winning.

Pros

DraftKings offers big prizes and low entry fees. You can play on any device or platform.

Cons

Some knowledge of NFL football is preferred.

6. Blackout Bingo

Blackout Bingo, available for Android or iOS devices, is free to play and delivers a choice of cash — through 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.

Pros

Blackout Bingo has a 4.5-star rating in both the Google Play and App stores. You can redeem rewards for prizes, gift cards or money.

Cons

There is a $1.50 processing fee for withdrawals less than $10.

7. Block Blitz

If you like Tetris, you’ll spend hours wasting time playing Block Blitz. But the good news is you can earn cash while you’re stacking little colored blocks on your screen, so you’re not really wasting time at all!

This game from Skillz is available for Android or iOS, with an average 4.6 rating across both platforms. When you make it to the Pro League, you can compete for up to $1,000 in prizes, with payouts of $200 per winner or higher.

Pros

The retro gaming fun brings back memories of Tetris and Dr. Mario. And it’s free to play.

Cons

Some reviewers in the Galaxy Store mention the app crashing frequently.

8. Strike! By Bowlero

If you like bowling — virtually or at your local lanes — you may love the opportunity to earn cash or rewards you can cash in at your local Bowlero, AMF or Bowlmor bowling alleys.

Available for both Android and iOS, the game garnered a 4.7-star rating in Apple’s App Store. Users like the easy, intuitive interface, realistic handling 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 all over the world. Players who play the most games each month can earn $250 off a private event at a Bowlero Corp. bowling alley.

Pros

Win cash or redeem rewards for prizes at local bowling alleys.

Cons

Promo codes can only be applied for bonus money after you make a deposit into the game.

9. Pool Payday

If bowling is not your game, you might like Pool Payday, another game on the Skillz mobile gaming platform. With an average rating of 4.6 stars across both Android and iOS platforms, the game provides an intuitive, realistic interface to play billiards against other live, remote opponents in real-time and win cash or prizes.

Like 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 on winnings, you can request a check.

Pros

Compete against other players in real-time to win cash or prizes.

Cons

Like other Skillz games, withdrawals under $10 that exceed your total deposit amount have a $1.50 fee associated.

10. Swagbucks

Many people think of Swagbucks as a shopping app that helps you earn cash back for purchases or for surfing 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

There are tons of options for games. You can cash out to PayPal with winnings as low as $5.

Cons

Most games have a deadline of 14 days to complete a milestone and earn cash.

11. InboxDollars

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 works with GSN Games to offer games of skill like Mahjong Solitaire and Outspell, where you can earn cash prizes. When you buy GSN Games credits, you’ll also earn 18% cash back 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 earn money with the app. You can’t cash out until you have earned $25.

12. Wealth Words

Are you hooked on the New York Times’ daily Wordle game? Why not try earning cash through Wealth Words? Available on Android, iOS and computers, the game offers 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 a Wordle-type game, Wordoku and more.

Pros

Wealth Words is available on iOS, Android and computer. You can cash out through PayPal.

Cons

The cash out minimum is $20.

Takeaway

You probably won’t get rich playing games for money, but if you like to play games to unwind, you may as well have an opportunity to earn some extra cash while you’re doing it.

Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.