How Do You Win Money Playing Games Online? : Legit Methods & Starting Points For Players

There are essentially three top level ways to try and win money through gaming – by looking for free winning opportunities, by betting or gambling and trusting to luck, or by using skill and knowledge.

Each has their benefits and within each bracket there are several different game examples. If you want to know how to win money through online gaming you’ll need to know all the cash game options. 

”Entering competitions, betting on sports, playing poker, spinning slots. Just some of the ways to try and win extra cash. There are more. Some are free. Some cost money”

That’s a small sentence to lead in to what is an enormous subject. On this page, I’ll aim to break it down to a level at which a new player, at least, might enter the fray with some educational backing and understanding of the options and risks. 

By RealMoneyGames – Steve Cross : Published 2nd March 2025

Easy, Safe, Fast, or No-Risk Routes

There are plenty of routes to take in the search for how to make money playing games. When we talk about how to do it, we need to understand what those routes entail and where they take us.

• Do you want an easy way to try and win money at gaming?
• Are you looking for the safest, legit options?
• Do you need to win cash instantly?
• What level of risk to your own cash are you prepared to accept? 
• Is online gambling for real money wins a good route?

It all looks like a daunting task, doesn’t it? There is a lot to learn. 

Yes, all those considerations are in the picture, but the real core requirement for how to win money through gaming is knowledge, and how best to apply that knowledge.

Exploring The Key Differences Between Games Of Chance & Games Of Skill

It’ll be useful to understand the differences affecting money-earning potetial between those games based on pure luck and those where the outcome can be influenced by skill levels or knowledge. Playing skill games for money is a good example of this latter type. Playing cash prize video game tournaments is another.

Knowing the differences between skill and luck will help you choose the right opportunities based on your acceptable level of exposure to risk and your own skill levels. 

1. Games Of Chance

If you’re interested in how to win money at games of chance it will pay for you to be aware of a few online betting facts before wasting your time on the wrong games and the wrong betting websites. First, you’ll need to know exactly what qualifies as a game of chance. Next, you need to be able to find those games online. Then you need to know what the rules are for playing them – not everyone is eligible, so make sure that you are before you sign up at a site.

What Are Games Of Chance?

Some games of chance are obvious because winning and losing are entirely based on random events. For example, winning at dice games like craps, wheel games like roulette or lottery tickets that are based on pure chance selection are clearly a matter of whether or not you are lucky that day. In other words, unless you have inside or unfair information, there is really no skill you can apply to the situation to improve your odds of winning. Although you may feel like you have lucky numbers, they really don’t influence the outcome.

Many card games, however, are heavily influenced by randomness, but by using skill and effective strategies you can affect the outcome of the game. For example, poker and blackjack (or twenty one) depend on a deck of randomly shuffled cards. But skillful players can increase their odds of winning by calculating probabilities based on their hands and their knowledge of which cards have already been played. Playing in contests like slots tournaments also calls for some element of strategic approach.

Where Can You Play Games Of Chance?

Enter the phrases “games of chance”, “online casinos” or “online gambling” into any popular search engine and you will find hundreds of pages filled with websites offering these type games. 

Online casinos in particular offer a huge selection of games from baccarat to poker to slots. To play any of these games at an online casino you need to register for a membership before you can play, and state that you are legally old enough to play.

Who Can Play Games Of Chance?

As long as you’re of legal age, and live in a country or region where online gambling is allowed, then you’re able to play gambling games of chance to win money. Of course, you’ll also need sufficient money to deposit, and have access to a deposit method that allows you to transfer money to the site you want to play at. In reality, there are dozens of different deposit methods, and you’ll almost certainly be able to find one that works for you. 

2. Games Of Skill

If you think you have better chances of winning at games of skill you’re almost certainly right.

These are games where you can use knowledge you’ve either acquired or built up over time and with experience that will give you the opportunity of shaping the outcome in your favour. Playing a game like Bejeweled in cash prize contests against other players is a great example.

If you’re interested in learning more then first you’ll need to know exactly what qualifies as a game of skill. Next, you need to be able to find those games online. Then you need to know what the rules and requirements are for playing them.

What Are Games Of Skill?

It’s fairly easy to highlight those real money games where skill is involved, though there are some more obscure examples that are not so well-known.

The obvious ones are where winning clearly depends on demonstrating some form of skill or strengths. A  game like poker is an excellent example. 

In many skill games, there is an element of luck involved too. Often theses games are referred to as hybrids. There are often variables over which you have no control, but in general there are at least some areas where you can use your own skill levels, knowledge, or good strategy to increase your winning chances. 

Where Can You Play Games Of Skill?

Enter the phrases “games of skill for money” or “skillgames for cash” into any of the popular search engines and, as with our games of chance examples, you’ll find hundreds of pages filled with websites offering games of skill.

Online poker rooms, in particular, offer a huge selection of different types of poker games ranging from tournaments to cash contests.

To play any of these games at a poker room or any other skill games websites you need to register for a membership before you can play, and almost always state that you are legally old enough to play too.

Who Can Play Games Of Skill?

As long as you’re of legal age, and live in a country or region where online gambling is allowed, then you’re able to play games of skill to try and win money. Of course, you will need enough money as astarting deposit, and be able to use a deposit method that allows you to transfer money to the site you want to play at. This should never be a problem unless you are in a jurisdiction where online betting is frowned upon or illegal. 

How Much Money Can You Win?

Wins from real money gambling vary from minute amounts to life-changing sums. Several influences contribute to the amounts concerned, and potential payouts are influenced by these key factors:

• The type and category of game – For instance, jackpot slots might offer large payouts, while the winnings from skill-based games like poker can depend more on the player’s ability.
• Stakes and wager size – Higher stakes generally mean higher potential winnings. The amount you bet in a game directly influences the potential return. However, this also means higher risk of loss.
• Operator win limits: Imposed by the operator, the highest amount they will allow anyone to win.
• House Edge: In casino games, the house edge is the statistical advantage that the casino has over players. Games with a lower house edge, like blackjack, typically offer better odds for players than those with a higher house edge.
• Skill Level: For skill-based games, a player’s skill level significantly influences winning potential. Skilled players can often perform better and win more consistently.
• Random Chance: In games of chance, such as video slot machines, the outcomes are random. This means that winnings are a matter of luck, regardless of how much or little you bet.
• Payout Rates (RTP): The Return to Player (RTP) rate is a percentage that indicates the average amount of money a game will pay back to players over time. A higher RTP means a better chance of winning over the long term.
• Bonuses and Promotions: Many online gaming platforms offer bonuses and promotions that can increase your winning potential. This includes welcome bonuses, free spins, and loyalty rewards.
• Progressive Jackpots: In games with progressive jackpots, a portion of every bet contributes to a growing jackpot, which can result in large payouts.
• Tournament Winnings: In tournament-style games, such as poker or esports, prize pools are often shared among the top performers, and the winnings can be substantial, depending on the size of the tournament.
• Player Competition: In multiplayer and tournament games, the level of competition can influence winnings. Higher competition might mean tougher games, but often also higher rewards.

Legality also has an impact because, in many cases but not necessarily all, you can’t win anything if playing the game isn’t legal in the first place.

Understanding The Dangers – & How To Avoid Them

Talking about winning – and types of betting – so much brings us to the point where we need to talk about the dangers.

There are dangers of losing money and dangers of getting addicted to trying to win.

Many (actually most) of the ways to win money involve the risk of losing some of your own, and I (and you) don’t want that to happen to an extent where it’s a problem for you or those around you. Try and remember at all times – it needs to be fun. If it hurts, if you’re losing money that you can’t afford, my advice is always going to be to stop and get out.

What can happen – and has to many people the world over – is that the allure of winning becomes addictive. You cannot stop – and ultimately that leads to behaviours that you wouldn’t normally find acceptable in yourself. Fortunately there are a number of organisations set up to help people in that situation, but prevention is the best course of action. Be self aware, know your limitations, understand how your mind works and whether you might be prone to becoming addicted.

With that warning in mind, I try to avoid the glorification of gambling on RealMoney.games. I can’t provide the site without showing the positive sides of gambling as well as the negative, and as a hardened bettor of many years experience it’s not always going to be easy for me to strike the right balance. Just remember it most definitely is not all rosy, but if you keep your wits and are selective about any risks you take with your own cash, then there are ways to minimise the risks and increase your chances of success.

If you want to play casino games but without the risk of losing any of your own cash, there are ways to play for free. Have a look at the dozens of social casino games websites.  

Summary

‘Show me the money’ you might cry at this point. I’ve read about the pitfalls, I know how to win money. I can risk some money to try and win more…and it’s not going to hurt me.

So now you’re ready to try out some of the ways we’ve covered together above to win money online.

You’ll find that the internet gives you the widest choice possible of how and when to place a bet on virtually any sporting event – from poker, casino games and horse racing through to bingo and a vast range of other opportunities including football, golf, rugby, tennis, basketball, cricket and baseball.

The options are endless, with choices of using reliable and trustworthy betting sites plus regulated online poker room and casino operators.

Some key points to remember:

• In some countries, online gambling is illegal, and you should check to see if this does affect you. Do not play unless certain that it is legal.
• Gambling can be a big problem if you are unable to control it, and gambling online makes it easy to lose money although you can also have a lot of fun if you play carefully. Only play with money you can afford. If you become upset at losing, then it means you are probably losing too much.
• Don’t let gambling affect you and other people around you. The golden rule is, if you can lose and smile and it doesn’t have a bad impact on anyone else, then you are probably OK.

Which brings us to a closing bullet point list of worthwhile initial steps:

• Review the game categories and identify a category of real money game that appeals to you.
• Explore the list of different real money game types and variants within that category.
• Ensure that it’s legal for you to play.
• Find out where you can play. Check a trusted review or collection of online reviews to confirm that provider is trustworthy and legit.
• Learn how to play the selected game.
• Practice to make sure you fully understand the rules and gameplay.
• Before you risk anything, consider the risks of losing and what that may mean to you. (hint: any cash-prize game based on skill is the most likely to get you a positive return with the least risk.
• If it’s not a free game, decide on an amount you would be prepared to lose. Be careful with online casinos here.
• Download the app or visit the operator’s website, and register an account.
• Deposit your chosen amount after checking there are valid methods for making deposits and completing successful withdrawals. Keep an eye open for any bonus offers or promotions.
• Play and enjoy.
• Pay attention to the principles of responsible gambling.  

Have fun, enjoy yourself…but be careful! You should be prepared to lose, and able to do this without any worry.

Always remember, you are responsible for any losses incurred, and only you. Do not gamble with more than you can afford. It’s easy to play, and it’s easy to pay…be careful! 

All I can say now is take it easy, take your time to work out which real money gaming opportunities will work best for you…and above all be careful that you don’t fall into the traps of over confidence or chasing losses.