David Morey 
While growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s, playing video games was considered nothing more than an expensive hobby at best or a waste of time at worst. They were played for entertainment purposes, and many people felt incredibly guilty that they played games instead of spending time developing skills that they could monetize.
Little did they know that in 2023/2024, being a pro gamer can mean that you could have a very lucrative career. Let’s look at some of the best ways to earn serious money from your gaming habits.
Competitive gaming
Competitive video games always had a prize pool. Even during the notorious 90s that we briefly mentioned in the introduction, you could win a prize if you played games. Today, however, a prize pool can be counted in millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars, while before, what you were looking forward to was the potential for earning a $10 gift card.
Not only is a prize pool involved, but many pro gaming teams operate like any other sports team. This attempts to bring e-sports one step closer to actual competitive sports. This means that players on a team’s roster get money for the transfer and, more likely than not, receive a salary.
Not to mention that most of these players become micro-influencers in their own right. This creates sponsorship opportunities and, since they become bigger and bigger on social media, a chance to monetize some of this influence.
In other words, while pro gaming pays off, it also helps you build a community you can funnel into anything else.
Playing casino games
Another direct way of making money by playing video games is to play luck-based games in online casinos. Is this gaming? Absolutely! However, it’s important to understand that, like any other luck-based game, making money is not guaranteed. So, only bet what you can afford to lose.
Does the fact that winning is not guaranteed disqualify this as a money-making method? Well, let’s compare it to our previous example. Does the fact that you can drop out of the tournament in the first round and not earn a dime (and even lose money if there’s a participation fee) disqualify it as a legitimate method? If not, then all we have to do is avoid applying double standards when it’s convenient.
Regardless of where you’re located, you can find a site or an app to bet on. Just make sure to do so legally. Also, before you start, check their reputation.
Regulations are there to protect the player, even though online and traditional casinos are not the same. For instance, conventional casinos are allowed only in Nevada and Louisiana, but the availability is much more widespread when it comes to online casinos. For instance, if you’re currently in Miami, you can check recommended sites in Florida and find one that you like the most.
Streaming
Some find it odd that people enjoy watching other people playing video games. Then, after they’re done making this witty remark, they turn on their TV and start watching other people play sports.
They also find it odd that people donate to their favorite streamers or buy their merchandise. Then, they spend $300 on their team’s jersey. The thing is that with the generational change, the point of interest changes; however, the essence remains the same.
Streaming is a very lucrative career, but you need to have the right personality for it, and you need to put in the hours. People develop parasocial connections with their streamers, but you must be dedicated and consistent and nurture your community.
Gamers and gaming enthusiasts consume incredible quantities of game-related content. They love to watch playthroughs (even in a long-play format) of games they intend to buy, cannot afford, or just games they can’t be bothered to play themselves.
Then, they want to see game reviews, game-related tier lists, and trivia. There’s so much you can do; the best part is that you don’t have to choose. Sure, you can be known for a single content format, but why not engage in it all? This way, you stand to benefit the most.
The best part is that you can also do this as a streamer. You only need to record and clip all your streams for extra content. This way, you can play the game once and monetize it twice. You can always hire an editor if you’re a huge creator with too much money and little time.
Coaching
Previously, we’ve talked about the charm of competitive video games; however, games are much more than that. Instead of playing catch in the street, kids are playing multiplayer games while chatting on Discord. In other words, one’s prowess in a game can impact one’s standing in one’s social circle.
Therefore, some of the best players have started making a living by coaching people. Remember that being mechanically good at the game doesn’t mean you’ll be good at transferring this knowledge. So, you must enroll in a teaching course or two and craft your mini-curriculum.
Remember that if you want to make serious money this way, you must treat it as a business. No, you’re not selling your video game skill – you’re selling a course. You’ll set out on a much better path as soon as you adopt this mindset.
