Here at Supportive Guru, there’s nothing we love more than playing online games for free. But what if we were to tell you that not only could you play some incredible games but also earn some cash while you’re doing it? You’d be up for that, right? Well, you’re in luck because today we’re looking at some of the best ways to make money online while having fun.
But before we get to the moneymakers, let’s take a little look at the background of the gaming for cash industry.
The Rise of Online Gaming for Cash
Since the dawn of time, humankind has been obsessed with playing games not just for entertainment but money, too. Practically every game or sport that we have played throughout history has been monetized to some extent. Whether it’s through gambling on the outcome or prize money for winning, cash and games now go hand in hand.
So, it was only a matter of time before the “silly” video games your parents used to scold you for playing became a viable means to earn an income. Yes, we all know that eSports can pay off, but did you know just how much money you can earn in the major tournaments? And the prize funds are growing each year.
Unfortunately for you, it takes years of dedication to qualify for these types of tournaments. However, all is not lost. Game developers are a savvy bunch, and they know only too well that there’s no better incentive to play a game than a cash windfall for players that master the gameplay. From online casino games to bingo to quizzes to word puzzles, you name it, and there’s probably a version of it with cash prizes.
The Most Popular Niches
There are many types of games that you can play for money, but the most popular ones usually fall within these niches.
Quiz Games
Video quiz games are incredibly popular in bars around the world. Put your money in, answer a series of questions and win some cash. And now there are quite a few online versions where you play for cash prizes. Some don’t even require you to pay anything at all as they make their money through advertising. These games can be lots of fun, but perhaps the reason for their popularity is the fact that you feel like you’re learning something while you play. One of the most popular in the world right now is HQ Trivia, which currently has over a million players.
Casino Games
Online casino sites are big business, and there are scores of websites out there where you can enjoy a hand of poker, play the slots or try to beat the dealer at blackjack. But our personal favorite is playing roulette online. Nothing beats the thrill of that spinning wheel.
The best thing about this niche is that it opens an area of gaming to people that may have been reluctant to play in real-world casinos. Or even those who lack the confidence to play poker or any other card games face-to-face.
Arcade Games
Now, the strange thing about this niche is that there are no popular standalone arcade games that you can play for money. Usually, however, there is one website that hosts maybe a hundred games or so, many of which you can play for cash prizes.
The sheer volume of games involved makes this one of the most popular niches, but it’s also the one with the lowest payouts. You won’t hear of too many people becoming millionaires by completing puzzles or crosswords.
RPG
Role play games don’t seem like a place where you can earn much cash, after all, the money you make in the game is for weapons upgrades or the like. But there are quite a few games where your online avatar can make you some real money. Games like Exodus 3000 allow you to cash out at any point, but it takes a lot of effort to reach a sum worth taking out.
Then there’s Second Life, the virtual world where you can live, yes you guessed it, a second life. You can cash out your online currency, but most people keep it in the game, aiming to hit that millionaire status just like Anshe Chung, the game character who is allegedly the first-ever, virtual millionaire.
The Most Lucrative Games
While it is possible to make a little cash while playing games online, if you want to make some serious cash, you’ll have to focus your efforts in one of two directions: eSports or casino games.
eSports
Taking up eSports is something that many of us have at one point considered as a potential career move. But the truth is that no matter how good you think you are, you need to be incredibly talented to make it onto any of the pro teams. Becoming a successful gamer also takes a serious level of dedication as there are thousands of other gamers with the same idea. If you’re intent on taking this path, then we wish you good luck, and if you make it, come back and say hi to us here at Supportive Guru.
Casino Games
Now, this is where the big money is, and not all of it requires talent or even much dedication. Of course, games such as poker and blackjack require strategic thinking and a game plan. And while they may not be quite as competitive as eSports in terms of qualifying (anyone can play video poker for money), they do take a certain amount of dedication to playing the game itself. You don’t become a top online poker player without practicing a lot.
However, if you’re a novice to the online casino, then the slots or even roulette are a great way to make some cash without the need to practice. Some slots have huge payouts, and many have jackpots in the millions. Yes, this is a definite way to make some serious cash.
Playing games online can be fun, and it’s true that in this digital age we’re spending more and more time online. So, doesn’t it make sense to try and make a little extra cash while you’re playing? So, stop wasting your time on those pointless games with no real reward for your efforts and start looking for at least one cash-paying game to add to your gaming portfolio. And if you do happen to find any interesting games, make sure to let us know all about your experience.
