Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games – 10 Best in 2024 That Actually Work
By Maddy Scheckel Do you practically live on the internet?
If so, you’re in good company. 31% of Americans are online “almost constantly.”
But being online doesn’t mean you’re wasting time.
If you’re smart, you can monetize your screen time and earn gift cards by playing games!
Sounds like a scam, doesn’t it?
But it’s not!
Just make sure you stick with platforms that are actually legit – like the ones I’ve listed below.
Source: Unsplash
10 Best Ways to Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games
The internet’s massive, and it’s full of apps and websites that offer rewards for playing games.
Which are legit? Which offers decent rewards?
I’ve listed the games that are actually worth considering.
1 – Cashyy
Cashyy is an app-based platform that lets you earn gift cards by playing games on your Android device (sorry, Apple users).
Signing up is easy. Just download the app and create your profile. This is even simpler if you connect through your Facebook or Google accounts.
You’ll get 9,444 points just for registering. Then, it’s time to get playing!
Cashyy separates the available games into basic categories:
- Strategy
- Puzzle
- Adventure
- Arcade
You’ll get points in exchange for playing the game, and then you can redeem those points for gift cards or cash.
If you opt for a gift card, the minimum amount will depend on the brand. Gift cards are available for Amazon, Sephora, iTunes, and more.
Interested? Check out this full Cashyy review for more information.
2 – Mistplay
Mistplay is an Android app that offers gift cards for playing games – and not just any games. They’ll build you a personalized list of games that match your interests.
Yes, that means they’ll find games that you’re especially likely to enjoy and then pay you to play them!
How is this even possible? Well, game developers need testers to check their work. And in this case, “tester” just means “gamer.”
Not a bad job title, huh?
One great thing about Mistplay is the sheer number of games available. Popular categories involve:
- Action
- Adventure
- Arcade
- Casino
- Puzzle
- Racing
- Roleplaying
- Simulation
- Sports
- Strategy
Mistplay’s payment model is simple: As you spend time playing a game, your account will receive “units.” The minimum cashout threshold depends on what you choose to redeem your units for but typically is around $5 or 1,500 units. You can then convert those units into gift cards to Amazon, Paypal, Google Play, and more.
To learn more, read through this detailed Mistplay Review.
3 – Rewarded Play
This app is just what it sounds like: a platform that will reward you for playing games. And while you can’t earn cash, you can earn gift cards to some of the most popular brands on the planet.
The system is simple: You play games. You earn points. You redeem those points in exchange for gift cards.
On Rewarded Play, 9,000 points equals $1. The more you play, the more points you’ll receive. Once you’ve got 45,000 points, you can cash out for a $5 gift card. Available gift card retailers include Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more.
The app has a 4.3 rating on the Google Play Store, and it’s easy to see why.
The average active user earns $30-$100 in gift cards each month, and there’s a wide variety of games available – from action games to puzzles!
Want more details about this exciting app? Then read our extensive Rewarded Play review.
4 – Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the biggest names in the games-for-gift-cards ecosystem. They’ve been around for over a decade, and their 4.3-star Trustpilot rating shows that they’re totally legit.
After you download the Swagbucks app, you can get $10 credited to your account just for signing up. And then comes the fun part: playing games!
One thing to keep in mind: You might have to pay for some games in order to play them. At first, that can seem counterintuitive. Aren’t they supposed to be paying you? But think of it this way: If you pay $20 for a game, and then you make over a hundred by playing, it’s actually a darn good investment!
Swagbucks is pretty lucrative, with the average user earning $1-$5 per day – decent pay for an activity that’s literally designed to be fun!
There are several ways to get your earnings, including:
- Cash (through Paypal)
- Prepaid Visa gift card (read this article on more ways to earn Free Visa Gift Cards)
- Gift cards to retailers like Walmart and Amazon
Give this Swagbucks review a once-over to learn even more!
5 – InboxDollars
InboxDollars is sort of an all-in-one rewards site. Yes, you can earn gift cards by playing games, but you can also do a whole lot more.
This variety of options makes InboxDollars an especially appealing option.
Not only is signing up easy (you just have to answer 30 basic questions), but you’ll also get a $5 bonus right from the start.
With your account up and running, you can start doing activities and getting paid!
Available tasks include:
- Playing games
- Taking surveys
- Sharing your browsing data
- Uploading receipts
- Watching videos
- Signing up for special offers
- Using coupons
- Shopping with certain brands
InboxDollars offers its users cash payouts, but you can opt for gift cards, too. Cards are available to retailers like Target, Amazon, Starbucks, The Home Depot, and Sephora.
That variety is intriguing, isn’t it? Read this full InboxDollars review for even more information!
6 – Lucktastic
This app has a unique niche: digital scratch tickets.
That’s right – you can use the platform to “scratch” digital tickets that pay real rewards.
So there are no traditional “games” on Lucktastic, just scratch tickets and lottery-style contests.
Boring? Not necessarily. Sometimes “brainless” games are the most fun of all!
Your Lucktastic winnings will appear as tokens in your account. Once you’ve got enough tokens (minimum $5 worth), you can redeem them for prizes, including:
- Dunkin gift cards
- Burger King gift cards
- Panera gift cards
- Magazine subscriptions
- Amazon gift cards
- And many more…
One thing to note: Many reviewers have found it takes a long time to earn enough tokens for a gift card.
My advice? Give Lucktastic a try if you think you’d enjoy it, but don’t expect it to have a meaningful impact on your finances.
Read this complete Lucktastic review here.
7 – Buff
Buff helps you earn gift cards by playing games – and there are over 1,500 games to choose from. This variety makes the app an intriguing option for avid gamers.
With some apps, you’re stuck playing random games you’ve never heard of. But Buff will pay you to play some of the most famous games out there. Fortnite. Minecraft. Halo. Those are just some of the options available.
Source: Unsplash
The process is simple: Just run Buff in the background as you play your favorite games (on desktop or mobile). They’ll capture the data and gameplay highlights they need and then reward you.
Once you’ve earned enough “Buffs,” you can exchange them for real prizes. Options include gift cards to Amazon and Domino’s, as well as free video games. And if you like free stuff, check out how you can get free money now.
8 – Bowling Battle
Bowling Battle is an app-based bowling game that offers real-world prizes.
And if you’re good? Then you could make a killing on the virtual lanes!
Bowling Battle has some pretty amazing features:
- Amazing 3D graphics
- “Real-world” physics for realistic gameplay
- Dozens of new bowling balls to unlock
- 1v1 games against players from around the world
With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Bowling Battle is a super popular game. It even receives 4.4 stars from users on the Apple App Store.
Source: Skillz
Bowling Battle is a great option for anyone looking to earn gift cards by playing games. While the game doesn’t technically give out gift cards, it does allow you to earn cash and real-world prizes. With the right combination of skill and luck, you could even win a Porsche!
To get started, just download the Bowling Battle app. It’s available for both iOS and Android, and it’s completely free.
From there, you’ll be able to play free practice games and take on challengers from across the world. In addition to earning prizes, you can also “level up” and earn trophies within the game. The result? An immersive gaming experience that’s both exhilarating and potentially lucrative!
Learn more with this complete Bowling Battle review.
9 – Money Rawr
Money Rawr is another legit app where you can earn gift cards by playing games. It’s got a 4.3-star rating on the Google Play Store – which shows they pay out as promised.
Now, Money Rawr might be legit, but is it right for you? It’s a pretty standard “play to earn” platform, but there are pros and cons to consider.
On the “pro” side, Money Rawr offers multiple forms of payment. You can receive the following:
- Cash through Paypal
- Amazon gift cards
- Google Play Store gift cards (read: $10 Google Play gift card free)
And then there’s the fact that you won’t have to make in-app purchases. It’s always nice to know you’ll only have money coming in without any money going out!
The main downside to Money Rawr is that it doesn’t seem to pay as much as other sites. Users also say there aren’t as many games available.
That doesn’t mean it’s not a good app to have on your radar, especially as a backup plan. But it might not be your first choice.
10 – Fitplay
Fitplay’s model is straightforward: You can earn gift cards by playing games.
The app is available on the Google Play Store, and it’s completely free. Gift card options include Amazon, Starbucks, and more.
There are also no deposits or in-game purchases. This means you don’t have to worry about sinking money into the project and coming out behind.
Fitplay has a 4-star rating on Google Play, which shows it’s completely legit. Has everyone had a positive experience?
Of course not.
Some folks didn’t get as many “coins” as they thought they deserved. But many more seem content with their experience – which suggests Fitplay is an app worth considering.
Commonly Asked Questions About Ways to Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games
What App Can I Use to Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games?
There are lots of apps that allow you to earn gift cards by playing games. On Rewarded Play, for example, the average user earns $30-$100 per month. Other options include:
- Cashyy
- Mistplay
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- Blackout Bingo (read “Is Blackout Bingo legit?“)
- Bingo Cash (read full Bingo Cash review here)
- Bowling Battle (read full Bowling Battle review here)
- Bubble Party (read “Is Bubble Party Legit?“)
- Bingo Smash (read “Is Bingo Smash Legit?“)
- Bubble Buzz (read “Is Bubble Buzz Legit?“)
- Bingo Tour (read “Is Bingo Tour Legit?”)
- Bingo King (read “Is Bingo King Legit?”)
- Solitaire Clash (read “Is Solitaire Clash Legit?”)
- Solitaire Smash (read “Is Solitaire Smash Legit?”)
- FreeCash (read “Is Freecash Legit?”)
For more ways to complete tasks like playing games, taking surveys, and signing up for subscriptions to make money, check out Is Flash Rewards Legit? and Is Rewards Giant USA Legit?
And for more ways to make some extra cash in your spare time, check out these side hustles from your phone.
And if you’d like to try out great products for free, learn about Nike product testing and Adidas product testing.
Here’s how to make an extra $100 a week. Also learn how you could make money as a mystery shopper in this Field Agent review.
What is the Easiest Way to Earn Gift Cards?
One of the easiest ways to earn gift cards is by playing games on apps like Mistplay and Rewarded Play. On some platforms, like InboxDollars and Swagbucks, you can also earn gift cards by taking surveys or sharing your online activity.
If you’d like to make money with surveys, focus groups, and even clinical trials, check out “Is Apex Focus Group Legit?”
And one of the easiest ways to boost your bank account is with one of these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.
How to Get Free Play Gift Card?
Multiple apps will give you Google Play gift cards in exchange for playing games or taking surveys. These apps are totally legit and worth considering:
- Mistplay
- Money Rawr
- Swagbucks
- InboxDollars
What is a Good App to Earn Gift Cards?
While there are several legit apps to earn gift cards by playing games, I would recommend starting with Rewarded Play. The earnings are decent ($30-$100 per month), and there are so many games available that you won’t get bored!
Websites to Earn Gift Cards?
Swagbucks and InboxDollars are two of the best platforms for receiving gift cards. On both sites, you can earn gift cards by:
- Playing games
- Taking surveys
- Sharing web browsing
- Accepting promotional offers
Learn here how to get a free DoorDash gift card.
Got gift cards you don’t want? Learn how to get instant cash for gift cards.
How to Win Free Gift Cards Instantly?
Winning free gift cards “instantly” is tough because you generally have to spend some time playing games or completing other tasks before you can claim a card. InboxDollars gives you a $5 bonus for completing its registration process, which is likely as close as you’ll get to “instant” earnings.
Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games PC?
There are multiple sites where you can earn gift cards by playing games on your PC. Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Buff, are solid options because they let you choose from a wide variety of games.
Best Games to Win Gift Cards?
There are lots of games that can help you win gift cards. Which is the best? That depends on your tastes. On Buff, you can earn rewards for playing favorites like Halo and Fortnite. Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer all sorts of online games, while Lucktastic focuses on digital scratch tickets.
Earn Gift Cards by Playing Games Reddit
Here’s a summary of the Reddit thread I found on earning gift cards by playing games:
The thread starts with a simple question: What games can generate passive income?
Source: Reddit
In the responses, Redditors shared apps and platforms, including several that offer gift cards.
Source: Reddit
Source: Reddit
Source: Reddit
Source: Reddit
*Note: This thread appears in the “Beermoney” community. These folks aren’t trying to make a living; they just want extra spending money.
Will you get rich on these platforms or even make enough to pay for all your groceries? Probably not. But playing games can boost your income and keep you entertained at the same time!
