If you’ve ever found yourself lost in a puzzle game or checking on a virtual farm you swore you’d stop tending, you’re not alone. Mobile games are the most popular app category across app stores, according to Business of Apps.
But here’s a fun twist: You could actually earn cash playing these games. Thanks to a new wave of games that pay real money, your phone can become a money-making device.
What’s great about these games is that you don’t need an expensive gaming system or fancy headset. All you need to do is find a trusted rewards platform, choose a game and start completing in-game goals.
Now, whenever money is involved, it’s important to do your research. There are a lot of legit options out there, like KashKick, but there are some not-so-legit options, too.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including how these rewards platforms work, the best online games that pay, tips to maximize your earnings and more.
Key Takeaways
- There are games that pay real money, but only through legitimate rewards platforms.
- These platforms pay you for hitting milestones (levels, bonus goals, etc.).
- Payouts vary by game and effort—some offers are small, while others can add up to hundreds over time.
- Avoid gambling or deposit-based “money games,” and stick with platforms that are transparent and well-reviewed.
- KashKick is one example of a rewards platform that offers game bonuses and PayPal withdrawals once you hit the minimum.
Can You Earn Real Money Playing Games Online?
Yes, you can absolutely earn real money playing games online if you play them through a legitimate rewards platform.
Curious how it works and why you get paid?
Simply put, mobile game companies want more users. Rewards platforms like KashKick help them out by offering new players cash bonuses when they complete specific game tasks, like finishing a tutorial or reaching level 10.
Once you earn a minimum amount, you can cash out. Some platforms pay in gift cards while others offer cashouts through PayPal or bank transfers.
The key is to find a platform like KashKick, which has a low minimum of $10 to withdraw your earnings through PayPal. (Gift cards and charity donations are also options!)
Be sure to avoid gambling or pay-to-win platforms. These will require entry fees, wagers or purchases.
As for how much you can earn? That’ll vary by platform, game and how far you advance. Some games on KashKick offer $800+ in bonuses if you complete every milestone! (But do note this doesn’t happen overnight!)
Best Online Games That Pay Real Money
Ready to get paid to play games? Remember: If you download these games through an app store, you won’t get the same kind of earning opportunities. You need to play them through a rewards platform like KashKick.
On KashKick, you’ll find a range of games—from puzzles to adventures—that you can pick and choose from based on how you’re feeling.
Keep in mind that KashKick has a rotating catalogue of gaming offers, so once you sign up, browse the latest available games and bonuses from your KashKick dashboard.
1. Carnival Tycoon
Love a theme park? Carnival Tycoon is an idle simulation game that you can play with friends. You’ll start with a small park—complete with roller coasters and Ferris wheels—and build it into the most interesting theme park in the world.
As you go, you’ll need to unlock and upgrade more rides to attract more visitors. As they visit the park, you’ll earn coins. The more you earn, the more you can grow the theme park!
🎢 Find Carnival Tycoon on KashKick.
2. Dice Dreams
In Dice Dreams, you’ll escape to a dreamy, colorful land where, with each roll of the dice, you’ll get a chance to attack rivals and steal their coins. The goal? Grow your dice kingdom!
If you’re new to mobile games, Dice Dreams could be a great place to start since it’s a fan favorite. It has more than 50 million downloads on Google Play, with nearly 1.9 million reviews averaging 4.7 stars.
Even better: Right now on KashKick, you have the potential to earn up to $750 playing Dice Dreams as you work your way through the kingdoms.
🎲 Find Dice Dreams on KashKick.
3. Bingo Blitz
Meet Blitzy the cat. He travels across the globe, playing bingo and making friends! With Bingo Blitz, you’ll explore cities and earn collectibles. Fun, right?
You’ll get a bingo card with 24 spots—and a free center square. Number and letter combinations will pop up across the screen, and if they’re on your card, claim them! When you get five in a row, you win. (Shouting “BINGO” is optional!)
🔴 Find Bingo Blitz on KashKick.
4. The Grand Mafia
This is a game you can’t refuse.
As the Mafia Boss in The Grand Mafia, it’s your job to recruit members from the underworld—including thieves, athletes and businessmen—to build a criminal empire. As you achieve underboss levels, you’ll earn bonuses through KashKick.
Note that this one gets a bit violent, but if that doesn’t bother you—and you’re into drama and strategy—go ahead and enter this world of crime!
👔 Find The Grand Mafia on KashKick.
5. Domino Dreams
Start playing Domino Dreams through KashKick for a chance to win up to $600! As you work your way through the game’s chapters, your earnings will stack up.
In Domino Dreams, you can play through thousands of domino games. As you solve each puzzle, you’ll collect coins and unlock new levels.
Domino Dreams is a great game to play as you wind down after a stressful day at work. It emphasises relaxation with colorful boards and charming arcade action.
🌈 Find Domino Dreams on KashKick.
6. Solitaire.com
Who doesn’t love solitaire? On KashKick, you’ll find several different solitaire games, including Solitaire.com where you have a chance to earn up to $228 in rewards.
Enjoy this timeless card game, and don’t miss out on daily challenges and rewards. You can even play offline, so get this one queued up next time you’re traveling!
♠️ Find Solitaire on KashKick.
7. June’s Journey
Love a little mystery? In June’s Journey, you’ll step back into the Roaring ’20s as June Parker works her way through a web of secrets. Sharpen your detective skills as you look for hidden clues and work toward solving different cases.
As you advance through the different chapters, you earn money, with a total of $550 in rewards on the line through KashKick.
🔍 Find June’s Journey on KashKick.
8. Match Masters
If you love a classic match-3 puzzle game, this one is for you. You’ll battle players from around the world to win trophies and prizes.
People love Match Masters. Over on Google Play, the game has more than 50 million downloads, nearly 2.5 million reviews and a 4.8-star rating
⭐️ Find Match Masters on KashKick.
9. Zen Match
Some games can get super stressful to play. Not Zen Match. The whole mission of the tile-matching mahjong puzzle game is to provide you with a moment of peace!
If you love match-3 puzzles or mahjong, you’ll enjoy this challenge—and the moment of zen that comes along with it.
10. Idle Bank Tycoon
In this simulation game, you can make bank—literally.
Your goal is to stash cash in your security vaults and keep it safe. Make upgrades to earn money faster, and keep your bank’s managers and staff sharp so you can pass audits. Keep growing your bank’s reputation, and you just might attract some billionaire clients.
With this game, you can earn up to $270 through KashKick as you unlock new levels.
💰 Find Idle Bank Tycoon on KashKick.
11. FarmVille 3
Remember those days when you’d have to run to your desktop computer, sign into Facebook and check on your soybean crops?
Now, you can play FarmVille on your phone—and maybe even get paid for all your hard work! (KashKick currently offers up to $480 in rewards.)
On this version of FarmVille, you’ll build up a stock of adorable animals—everything from ducks to llamas—to build your dream farm.
🧑🌾 Find FarmVille 3 on KashKick.
12. Merge Gardens
Love merge games? Step into this enchanting garden world and combine fruits, plants and other beautiful items to restore a lush estate and uncover secrets. You’ll even hatch adorable wildlife as you go.
As you reach different levels, you can earn up to $550 through KashKick.
🌸 Find Merge Garden on KashKick.
13. SpongeBob Adventures
Here’s the thing: Bikini Bottom is in trouble. Plankton’s latest attempt to steal the secret Krabby Patty recipe backfired. Now, the undersea world is covered in Jellyfish Jam. Ick.
It’s your job to work alongside SpongeBob to restore the community. You’ll craft Krabby Patties, farm and harvest crops, and more.
For this game, in-app purchases are highly recommended to help you speed through the levels faster. You’ve got a chance to collect up to $250 through KashKick.
🧽 Find SpongeBob Adventures on KashKick.
14. Solitaire Smash
Here’s another solitaire game! With Solitaire Smash, you’ll compete in multiplayer tournaments for cash prizes.
Note that to earn bonuses through KashKick, you’ll need to deposit $10 as you advance through each of the milestones. For example, for the first $20 bonus, you’ll need to win five cash games and deposit $10. (With these types of games, just be sure to do the math and make sure the deposits are worth it!)
You’ve got a chance to earn up to $800 through KashKick.
♦️ Find Solitaire Smash on KashKick.
Tips to Maximize Game Earnings
Want to earn more from games? Use these strategies to maximize your earnings, waste less time and avoid scams.
1. Focus on High-Payout Games
Not all offers—or games—are created equally. Some games may only pay a few bucks while others offer big-time bonuses.
To spot the best deals:
- Review the milestones before you get started. (KashKick lists all these clearly for each game.)
- Check similar versions of games. Want to play Solitaire? There are few versions of the favorite card game on KashKick, so check to see which one has the better offers.
- Pay attention to any time requirements. If you’ve got a busy week, you might not be able to reach specific milestones in time.
- Choose games you like to play. Progress is faster when you’re enjoying the game!
2. Check for Bonus Offers and Events
On KashKick, some games have Turbo Earnings and Bonus Goals. With Turbo Earnings, you’ll complete advanced challenges for bigger rewards. Bonus Goals are tasks that boost your earnings.
Note that some of these opportunities require making in-game purchases, so do some math to make sure the bonuses are worth it!
3. Set Realistic Expectations
Remember the whole point of rewards apps: They’re a fun way to give your free time a raise—not replace your full-time job.
We’ve talked to KashKick members who have made $500 in a year, and others who’ve made $75.
The key is to treat these like a micro-side hustle that fits into your existing routine!
4. Avoid Hidden Fees or Required Deposits
Here’s the thing: Some games claim to pay real money—and they might—but they will require you to deposit money to enter a tournament or bet on your odds of winning before you even start playing.
If you’re truly looking to make extra money, you’ll want to avoid these types of games. It’s too easy to get carried away and lose money.
You’ll also want to stay away from platforms that charge a fee to withdraw your earnings. Stick with options like KashKick that are free to sign up for and have no hidden fees!
5. Avoid Play-to-Earn Scams
When it comes to making money online—no matter how you choose to do it—it’s important to stay vigilant for scams. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Never pay to play. You should be able to start playing for free with only optional in-game purchases to boost your progress and earnings.
- Avoid anything that sounds too good to be true. You won’t make $500 a day with any of these games.
- Stick with trusted platforms that have Trustpilot profiles and tons of reviews. Check the ratings and reviews in the app stores, too.
- The best apps for earning are transparent and easy to understand. It’s never fun collecting points while having no idea how many you need to cash out!
KashKick meets all these requirements. It’s transparent, has a great TrustPilot rating and lots of positive reviews—and even offers resources to help you get better with money!
Make Real Money Playing Games on KashKick
Whether you love puzzles, card games, adventures or battles, it takes just a few minutes to sign up for KashKick and start playing.
And when you get tired of games? KashKick offers even more ways to make money!
FAQs: Games That Pay Real Money
Which games actually pay you real money?
Games don’t typically pay players directly, so if you’re looking to earn real money by playing games, you’ll want to head to a rewards platform like KashKick. From there, you can choose which games you want to play and even explore additional ways to earn, like taking surveys and trying new apps.
Which games pay you instantly on PayPal?
Most rewards apps, including KashKick, don’t guarantee instant PayPal payments. You’ll need to hit a minimum—with KashKick, it’s just $10—before you can cash out. From there, it can take 1-3 days to process your payment, which is totally normal. With so many scammers, these platforms have to be careful!
What is the highest paying game app?
There’s no single highest paying game app. It all depends on milestones, time required, game genre and bonuses.