Joshua Galyon
Over the last two years, millions of people picked up their controllers (or keyboards) to escape the boredom and isolation brought about by the pandemic. With social and casual gaming going from strength to strength, the industry as a whole is expected to be worth $321 billion by 2026. With this sudden boom all over the world, chances are you’ve already found yourself upgrading to a gaming desktop with amazing resolution or a lightspeed mobile phone for that extra smooth high refresh rate.
So, why not make the most of your new gear and let your gaming habits earn you a few bucks while you’re at it? Check out this list for the best online games you can play with real money prizes:
Bubble Shooter! Arena [iOS, Android]
The objective of Bubble Shooter Arena is simple – strategically clear rows of bubbles of the same color to score more points than your opponent. Each match lasts up to three minutes, but the app detects when you’re out of moves and automatically ends the game. The in-app points you receive can then be traded in for cash or gift cards.
Blackout Bingo [iOS, Android]
Bingo was traditionally a game of chance, but Blackout Bingo puts you in control. This skill-based real money game lets you earn cash in as quickly as 2 minutes. It also hosts occasional cash tournaments, with last New Year’s event giving out a total prize pool of a whopping $750,000. The indie mobile game studio responsible for Blackout Bingo even donated over $120,000 to non-profits as part of their corporate social responsibility program. That’s another good reason to play this game!
World Series of Poker [iOS, Android, Web]
Fans of poker are no strangers to the World Series of Poker. This game puts you in the shoes of a fictional rookie player as he faces off against some of the world’s top pros to win the coveted championship bracelet. The app and its web version offer high-stakes cash games that even the most experienced players will find exhilarating. Beginners, don’t worry – this game also provides poker tutorials and learning tools to get you started. WSOP is one of the biggest names in poker, making it one of the most trustworthy and one of the best poker apps to play on the go.
21 Blitz [iOS, Android]
If blackjack is more your cup of tea, look no further. In 21 Blitz, you’ll battle against other players in three-minute hybrid Blackjack-Solitaire matches. It allows you to test the waters by entering minimal payout tournaments with a $0.50 or $1 buy-in. Your earnings with 21 Blitz are not guaranteed, unlike the other apps on this list. While some events pay up to $7,000, if you don’t win, you can lose your entry fee. The start playing for money, you may pay a minimal entry fee or save up Z Coins and Ticketz to enter tournaments.
LemonHaze [Web, iOS and Android coming soon]
What do you get when you mix “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” with crypto? THIS GAME! LemonHaze is a brand new, first-of-its-kind crypto trivia quiz game that will put your knowledge to the test. You start the game with an initial investment of 100 coins. Each question will give you the opportunity to improve your payout. You must complete levels 1-5, each level with increasing difficulty. 5 correct questions in a row will earn you the ultimate prize. The game will stop if you answer a question incorrectly, but you will be awarded all of the coins you have earned so far. Purchasing NFT (non-fungible token) characters will give you lifelines, allowing you to improve your scores and earn bigger rewards.
If you like the idea of trying out some new games and want the chance to win real money, the cash prizes offered by the apps above are well worth looking into. Even though the earnings you get from these might not be enough for playing to be considered a legit side hustle, the apps can still give you enough for a cup of coffee or even a trip to the movies each week. If you’ve got time to kill, we don’t see you losing anything if you give these games a go.
