11 Passive Income Streams You Can Build Through Gaming

Gaming isn't just a way to pass the time anymore—it’s become a genuine way to earn extra cash. Thanks to the rise of digital platforms, cryptocurrencies, and online communities, more people are finding clever ways to build passive income through gaming. While some methods need a bit of effort at the start, others keep the money coming in with very little ongoing work.

1. Casino Apps 

Casino games are some of the oldest forms of gambling and a means of earning passive income. Thanks to advanced mobile devices and the internet, players from all over the world now have access to their favorite game 24/7. Given the high number of options available, the best casino apps stand out by offering generous welcome bonuses of up to 400% of initial deposits, have a wider range of game selection, and also accept cryptocurrency payments. Players get to experience the best of the best and also get to earn real money while at it. (Source: https://www.valuewalk.com/igaming/best-casino-apps/)

2. Play-to-Earn (P2E) Games

Blockchain technology has led to the recent substantial growth of play-to-earn games. With P2E, players can acquire digital assets that have actual monetary worth in the real world. This is unlike traditional games, where all rewards can only be used within the game. Examples of well-known P2E games include Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, and Gods Unchained. At its peak in 2021, Axie Infinity generated over $2 billion from NFT sales. 

What’s great is that you don’t always need to engage in continuous gameplay. Once you've built up valuable in-game assets or characters, you can rent or stake them to earn money while doing other things. It’s not just play—it’s ownership and smart use of digital resources. Some players have even teamed up with ‘scholarship programmes’, where they lend their assets to other players and split the earnings. In such cases, the wealthier player (aka the manager) typically takes 30% while the scholar takes 70%. Players in developing countries find this system very useful since they don't need to cover upfront costs by themselves. And for the managers, this makes for an easy passive income stream. 

3. Creating and Selling In-Game Assets

Games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Second Life thrive on player-made content. Creative players can design virtual in-game items like outfits, structures, or even entire environments and sell them at in-game markets. In some cases, creators earn every time someone resells what they've made.

Once the creations are out there, they can keep earning for you long after players have logged out. It’s a bit like digital real estate. The demand for custom content is growing, too, especially in communities that value uniqueness or limited editions. A Roblox report for 2024 revealed that the game generated $3.6 billion in revenue, with $923 million paid out to creators.

4. Affiliate Marketing for Gaming Products

Affiliate marketing is a common passive income option, not just in gaming but in every other industry. Through your blog, social channels, or other audiences, you can promote gaming equipment, games, and in-game items to earn commissions from every sale.

Once affiliate links are out there—whether in a blog post or a video—they can keep working for the player 24/7. Platforms like Amazon Associates, Humble Bundle, and many game marketplaces offer these programmes.

Players can also partner with independent game developers, who often look for small creators to help them gain traction.

5. Building a Gaming Blog or Newsletter

Content related to gaming in blogs and newsletters can generate revenue through advertisements, affiliate links, and subscription fees. This is because many players go online to find guides, reviews, and news about their favorite games. Substack and other similar platforms provide a newsletter system that allows writers to monetize their specialised knowledge through subscriptions.

6. Streaming and YouTube Content

You don’t need to be a celebrity gamer to earn through streaming. A player can establish a steady income through regular posting on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

How? Through ad revenue on videos, exclusive memberships, affiliate links, and even merchandise sales. Walkthroughs and guides, along with funny gameplay clips, continue generating revenue long after their initial release date on various platforms.

Over 7.3 million channels went live on Twitch each month in 2024. This shows that more and more people are embracing the streaming content route, either for fun or for profit. 

7. Renting Out Gaming Accounts or Gear

Got a high-level game account or some serious gaming kit? You might be able to rent it out. Players sometimes pay to access top-tier accounts or borrow hardware like VR headsets or powerful PCs for specific projects.

Your unused gaming gear provides an opportunity for additional earnings through rental transactions, but you must select safe rental platforms while also being careful who you rent your gadgets to.

8. NFTs and Digital Collectibles

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have become popular digital property even in gaming. Players in Decentraland, Illuvium, and My Neighbour Alice acquire distinct in-game items, which they can either sell or lease out to others.

Some games even let players earn rewards just by holding or staking these assets. If they gain value over time, they can be sold for a profit.

As the metaverse concept evolves, NFT-based land and items could play a central role in how digital property is viewed and monetised.

9. Hosting Online Tournaments

For extroverted players, it might be a good idea to run online gaming tournaments. The organizer can charge small entry fees, partner with sponsors, or offer paid extras. Tools exist to help automate most of the work, making it easier to scale over time.

Keeping good records and sharing highlights could be used as content on other platforms to attract new participants.  Another option is to host themed or seasonal competitions, which can build a loyal gamer base that looks forward to future events.

10. Developing a Game or App

This is for tech-savvy players. Creating games is no longer only for the big companies. Development platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot enable users to easily produce simple yet enjoyable games. After completion, players can release their games through platforms like Steam, App Store, or Google Play to begin generating revenue.

Creating the next blockbuster should not really be the goal since building something people appreciate is enough. Several creators make a stable income from niche puzzle games with low development costs but high replay value.