29 Legit Game Apps to Earn Real Money, Prizes & Gift Cards

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There are a number of ways to get paid to play games, including by playing certain mobile games that allow you to win cash and gift cards.

For this list, we researched more than 100 game apps to identify those that have good user ratings and provide clear information about what’s required to win. In each case, we’ve noted whether you can win prizes without putting your own money on the line.

Keep in mind that most of these types of game apps offer very limited prize potential, and many have a pay-to-play component that can cause you to lose money.

The options below are listed alphabetically, and the user review data in each table was collected on February 6th, 2024. We update the numbers periodically throughout the year. Additionally, note that we’ve listed the developer of each game because there are an increasing number of lookalikes aimed as misleading people into downloading the wrong app.

#1. 21 Blitz 

21 Blitz is a mix of blackjack and solitaire. As with solitaire, players attempt to pile cards on four foundation stacks. Whenever the stacks hit 21 (that’s the tie to blackjack), the stack is removed. Players earn points along the way with streaks, combos and early finish bonuses.

21 Blitz is built on the Skillz platform, which allows players to compete against each other in head-to-head games and tournaments. 

You can practice for free and win in-app currency, but to win a cash prize you have to pay to play.  

#2. AppStation

AppStation offers a variety of games and pays you in “AppStation Coins” to play them. Each game pays a different number of Coins per minute, and that number decreases over time — to the point where you no longer make money playing that particular game. 

This system encourages users to try other games, as new-to-you games have higher pay rates. 

Note that some games are location-specific and may not be available to you. Also, while the minimum cash-out threshold is low, the earning ability is also low at about $1 per hour.

#3. Big Buck Hunter: Marksman

Like other games on the Skillz platform, you can’t earn cash with Big Buck Hunter: Marksman unless you pay to play.

To win cash, players can compete head-to-head or in a tournament-style bracket. Your winnings align with the entry fee you paid to play (i.e., your potential reward increases with the amount of cash you’re willing to put at risk). 

Those who play (and win) a lot will find themselves on the cash league leaderboard, where players can earn more money. 

To play the game, look down your sights, line up your shot, fire and take down bucks to earn points. Shot angle matters, and the better your shot is, the more points you earn. Misses earn you nothing and shooting a doe deducts points. Get more points than your opponent to win the match prize.

#4. Big Time Games

Big Time is a game platform where developers share the advertising income they earn with game winners. There are a variety of games to choose from, and each has basic instructions to get you started. 

Players earn tickets for their in-game performance and can add to their winnings by collecting daily bonuses. Each ticket is an entry for the app’s cash prize drawing. The more you play (and win) the more chances you have to win the pool. 

#5. Bingo Cash

Bingo Cash is a skill-based game that allows you to compete in both free and cash tournaments. 

The game follows the classic bingo rules, where you aim to complete rows on a bingo board before other players. You earn points based on how quickly you mark off numbers, and you can use boosters to increase your score.

While you can practice for free, real money winnings come from participating in paid tournaments. The lowest entry fee for these paid tournaments is $1. 

However, you can earn gems through daily rewards, by leveling up, and by watching ads. These gems can be used to enter specific cash tournaments, but the entry fees are usually higher in terms of gems, limiting your earnings.

Note that cash tournaments are not available in AZ, IA, LA, SC and WA.

#6. Bingo Clash

Bingo Clash can be played with or without spending money. The more you’re willing to spend in entry fees (which range from 30 cents to $11), the bigger the cash prize pool is (from $5 to $70). Each game is played with five to 20 players.

As expected, the game is all about bingo. Daub your bingo board when your card matches a called ball, and earn points with quick daubs, bingos, and various bonuses. Avoid point deductions (from daubing an uncalled number or pressing the bingo button without having a bingo). 

The player with the most points at the end of the game wins the game.

#7. Blackout Bingo

Blackout Bingo is very similar to Bingo Clash (mentioned above). Players earn points through quick daubs, bingos and bonuses, and have points deducted for incorrect daubs and bingo calls. 

Because Blackout Bingo is offered on the Skillz platform, players earn “Ticketz,” a virtual currency that can be traded in for prizes. Ticketz earnings can be shared across all Skillz games. 

However, it’s important to note that you can’t win cash prizes unless you pay to play, and earning enough Ticketz to cash them in for prizes of value takes a very long time. 

You can learn more in our Blackout Bingo review.

#8. Blitz Games

Users receive 200 “coins” of virtual currency to start. Paying entry fees (whether virtual or real cash) to play games like 21 Blackjack, Bubble Shooter, Bingo and Solitaire allows you to compete against other people with similar skill. 

If you win, you receive virtual or real cash. Referring friends and achieving quest goals (e.g., “Score over X number of points in a particular game”) will earn you even more. 

The virtual currency can be traded in for prizes, and some games with cash prizes accept virtual currency for entry fees.

#9. Brain Battle

Brain Battle’s games are like math problems. If you solve them correctly, you’ll earn tickets. You may be able to add to your cache through daily bonuses. All of your tickets are entered into cash drawings. The more you play, the more tickets you earn, and the higher likelihood your ticket will be picked for a prize.

#10. Cashyy

Download and play games and complete missions, and Cashyy will reward you with virtual coins (each coin is worth about $0.001). Accumulate enough coins and you can trade them in for cash via PayPal, a variety of gift cards or Google Play credit.

See also: How to get free Google Play codes.

#11. Cash ‘Em All

Cash ‘Em All allows users to play games and earn coins without deposits, in-app purchases or ads. Accumulated virtual coins can be traded for PayPal cash deposits (paid in Euros), Amazon gift cards, or vouchers for Google Play, Netflix and more. 

This app is best for people who like to try new games, as the amount Cash ‘Em All pays for any given game decreases over time.

Cash ‘Em All also offers a bonus for referrals: when you introduce a friend to the game, you earn a percentage of the in-app coins your invitee earns.

#12. Cube Cube

Cube Cube is a Tetris-like game where players use their puzzle skills to drag shapes to a board and fit them together to clear rows before they run out of space or time. This app is built on the Skillz platform and allows participants to compete with opponents for virtual currency (when playing free games) or cash prizes (when you pay to play).

#13. Drop Rewards

Drop is primarily a cash-back shopping app, but it also offers a limited number of points for playing select in-app games (like Snake). These points can be redeemed for free gift cards.

Drop also rewards you for downloading and playing mobile games from select partners, including a number of strategy, survival and card games. Each offer is game-specific and listed in the offer requirements.

Learn more in our Drop App review.

#14. Dominoes Gold

A Skillz platform game, Dominoes Gold offers players the ability to win virtual or real money by playing dominoes.

Ticketz (one of two virtual currency types in the game), can be earned and transferred between games on the Skillz platform.

“Zs,” which are used as entry fees and for winnings, are game specific. In order to win cash, players must pay a cash entry fee. Game options include head-to-head competitions and tournament style competitions with anywhere from 4 to 32 players.

#15. Gamehag

Play a variety of games in exchange for “Soul Gems” (the app’s in-game currency). Note that your virtual reward and level requirements vary by game. Writing articles (or evaluating pieces that others have written) will earn you more. Your virtual winnings can be redeemed for credits for other gaming platforms, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

See also: How to get free cryptocurrency.

#16. Givling

Sign up to play and you’ll be paired with two people you don’t know. They may be great, or they may be me (i.e., the worst trivia player in the world). Winners are given a cash prize that gets added to their Givling Cash Wallet. Withdrawals can be made once your wallet reaches $50. You must sign up with their banking partner (which is Axos) to withdraw your money.

#17. InboxDollars

In addition to paying you to take surveys and shop online, InboxDollars also offers rewards for playing games. You can choose to play GSN games (an InBoxDollars partner) to earn 18% cash-back on every $1 you spend, or you can choose to play games directly within InboxDollars (these are web-based games like Candy Jam and Solitaire). 

If you opt for an InboxDollars game, they are free to play. The longer you play the more “Scratch and Win” credits you earn. The platform’s “Scratch and Win” game gives you the opportunity to win a cash prize, though it’s worth noting that the payout is usually just a few cents. 

Once you accumulate $15 you can request a withdrawal.

Learn more about how the platform works in our InboxDollars review.

#18. Mistplay

Mistplay is a popular game discovery and loyalty platform that uses your demographic information, play history and other factors to match you up with new (sometimes still in development) games it thinks you’ll enjoy. You’ll earn points by playing consistently, reaching in-game milestones (such as achieving a certain level) and (occasionally) providing feedback that helps developers fine-tune their games.

#29. MyPoints

MyPoints offers users the ability to earn in-app currency in a variety of ways, including by playing games. The platform’s gaming functionality is coordinated through WorldWinner, a website with its own rules and payment requirements. 

When you enter tournaments you can cash-out winnings via paper check, prepaid debit card or PayPal. You earn MyPoints points by depositing money into your WorldWinner account — essentially making this a cash-back shopping transaction.

Learn more about how it works in our MyPoints review.

See also: Game apps that pay cash instantly via PayPal.

#20. PCH+

Take quizzes and play games to earn tokens or enter free PCH sweepstakes for the chance to win jackpot prizes. Tokens can be redeemed for additional sweepstakes opportunities with prizes ranging from gift cards of various values to an RV priced at $200,000.

#21. Play and Win

New trivia games for various topics (e.g., history, games, culture, movies, sports, technology) start every hour. If you get the highest score you win the prize.

#22. Pool Payday

Pool Payday, an app built on the Skillz gaming platform, allows players to play practice games for virtual currency. If you’re willing to put up some of your own cash for entry fees, you can compete against opponents in head-to-head competitions and tournament-style brackets for cash prizes. 

Earn points by sinking balls. Increase your odds of winning by knocking balls into pockets with various multipliers and/or by completing trick shots (e.g., hit your cue ball into another ball, which sinks a third ball). 

You begin the game with three cue balls. You lose one for every scratch and, if you lose them all, the game is over. Score more points than your opponent and you win the game and the virtual or real cash prize.

#23. Solitaire Cube

In Solitaire Cube (a Skillz platform game), the goal is to move all cards to the foundation stacks (the four piles in the top left-hand corner). Players earn points for correct moves and finishing a game early, but lose points by cycling through their deck more than three times. 

Choose between brackets and head-to-head competition. Both play styles offer the opportunity to win real currency; however, a cash entry fee is required for every game that offers a cash prize.

Learn more in our Solitaire Cube review.

#24. Spades Cash

Spades Cash (a Skillz platform game) offers cash and prizes based on your performance. You compete against an unknown opponent. Before beginning, you must guess how many tricks you will win. Accrue points for getting tricks, meeting your original bid, finishing early, obtaining end-of-game bonuses and messing up your opponents’ original bid for themselves. 

When you set your trick goal you can choose zero. However, if you accidentally win a trick, you lose 75 points. Also, if you fail to reach your goal or if you do two tricks or more above your estimate, you lose points. 

Beat your opponent to win cash (assuming you paid a cash entry fee) or “Ticketz” (an in-game currency that can be redeemed for non-cash prizes).

#25. Strike! By Bowlero

Strike! is a Skillz-powered bowling app that offers users the opportunity to play for virtual currency or cash in head-to-head or tournament-style brackets. Players who want to earn cash rewards need to pay a cash entry fee. Those who are happy to win virtual currency (which can eventually — after many hours of playing — be cashed in for a number of prizes) do not need to pay money up front.

#26. Swagbucks

Swagbucks pays users points to download games and then play enough to reach various in-game milestones. Note that Swagbucks can be used to download a number of the other apps on this list (such as Blackout Bingo, Solitaire Cube, Pool Payday and others). This allows you to earn cash and prizes through the game while earning points on the side, which can then be redeemed in your Swagbucks account. Each SB is worth 1 cent and can be exchanged for gift cards or cash.

Learn more in our Swagbucks review.

#27. Swagbucks Trivia

If trivia is your jam, check out Swagbucks Trivia — a live (almost) daily competition. Each contestant attempts 10 questions. If you miss a question, you have to wait until the next day to play again. Anyone who answers all 10 questions correctly divvies up the daily pot, which can be up to $1,000.   

#28. Wealth Words

Play timed crossword puzzles and other brain games for cash prizes with Wealth Words. Games require tokens to play, which you need to purchase with cash up-front. Refer friends to increase your in-app earnings.

#29. WorldWinner

Choose from games like Domino Dynasty, Wheel of Fortune and Boggle on WorldWinner. You can practice for free but a cash deposit is required to participate in tournaments (1:1 and multi-player). There are thousands of tournaments every day but to win real cash you need to pay a cash entry fee (which starts at $0.25).

Vanessa Zeigler

Vanessa Zeigler is a freelance writer and editor focused on personal finance and time management. She has an MBA from Duke University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She writes about frugal-living techniques, side hustles, product testing, selling on Etsy and eBay, and using money-making apps. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Upwork and Etsy.