Nick the Greek was a legendary high-stakes gambler known for his fearless approach to betting back in the 80s. He said: ‘The next best thing to gambling and winning is gambling and losing‘.
The gambling industry has long evolved from those days. Now, we have career punters who have found a way to get money with their passion for earning.
The thing about gaming for profit is that there is more than one way to go about it. These days, people earn a living through streaming, content creation, or competitive gaming. According to Statista, the global gaming market will amount to 503.14 billion U.S. dollars annually in 2025. This guide will break down a few ways to turn gaming into profit. If you’ve been wondering if it’s possible, read on.
6 Best Methods for How To Make Money Gaming
Is gaming still fun? Yes. Are there ways to make money playing video games? Also yes. You can turn your passion for gaming by competing in tournaments, creating content around games, or simply streaming your gameplay. We’ll break down six ways successful players monetize online gaming:
1. Livestream Your Gameplay
This is one of the most popular ways for gamers to earn money. In 2023, Twitch recorded over 21 billion hours of live content. Gamers can broadcast their gameplay on platforms like YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, and Twitch. They can earn revenue through ad placements, sponsorships, and audience donations.
The top streamers on these gaming platforms earn millions annually. It takes work and consistency. “Game streaming is turning into the new TV for a lot of people—watching skilled players is almost as big as playing yourself.” – Ninja (Tyler Blevins).
2. Create Game Guides on Video Platforms
Many people need answers, especially when they’re playing high-level games. They turn to YouTube and other platforms for tutorials, reviews, and walkthroughs. YouTube Gaming generated 100 billion watch hours in 2022.
The person on the other side who has spent hours crossing a stage can earn real money by creating high-quality content and publishing it for others to watch. A great tip is to focus on trending or competitive games to increase viewership.
3. Offer Game Coaching
Many people would pay good money to have someone walk them through a game they love but would rather not suffer long playing hours. If you’re highly skilled in a particular game, consider coaching it. Experts in this niche use platforms like GamerSensei and Metafy to offer coaching services to aspiring players.
Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok), the legendary League of Legends player, once said, “Teaching is the best way to master something. Helping others improve their game can also improve yours.”
4. Play Gambling Games
This may be the most popular way people know to earn money while playing their favorite games. Games like poker, blackjack, and slots are some ways gamers get to win cash prizes. In fact, according to CasinoCanada, most online casinos ensure their users claim no deposit bonuses to kick off their gameplay with bonus funds.
In 2022, the global gaming industry generated an estimated $184.4 billion (Forbes). It is crucial to gamble responsibly and choose licensed platforms. Veteran poker player Terrence Murphy said it best: “Gambling is not about how well you play the games, it’s really about how well you handle your money.”
5. Participate in Gaming Tournaments
Another way to make money is by participating in gaming tournaments like Dota 2 International. They offer lucrative prize pools of over $40 million. Succeeding in small esports tournaments and moving up to bigger ones has turned professional gamers into millionaires.
The key is to start small and cook enough to show off your gaming skills in international competitions. Who knows? You might even get other career opportunities, sponsorship deals, and other ways to get paid along the way.
6. Host a Gaming Podcast
“Podcasts are like modern-day radio, but better. They give creators control over content and revenue streams.” – Joe Rogan. These days, we have niche podcasts that focus on industry trends and getting tips and personal experiences from top professional players in the gaming community.
Hosting a gaming podcast that people will listen to is a good way to build a gaming brand and generate money with one’s vast gaming knowledge. If you’ve been following the trends, you know podcasting has taken off properly since 2020 and is expected to continue growing.
Bonus: Be a Professional Gamer
This sounds easy to say. However, becoming a professional in the video game industry requires dedication, training, and networking. You can start by signing up for a few video game companies with online tournament opportunities and sometimes sponsorships.
Final Thoughts – How to Make Money Gaming
Is gaming still an awesome hobby? Yes, it is. However, it’s more than that now. People earn millions legitimately from gaming every year as an income stream. More ways to earn will continue to emerge as long as the industry continues to expand. So, no, it’s not too late to learn how to make money as a gamer.
