How can I make money from gaming? This is a question many people ask online, even on Reddit. While this may seem like a strange one, it really is not. Video gaming has become more than just a hobby, with enough prospects for everyone to earn cash.
This is the case whether you are a casual player or one who is hoping to become a professional. If this is news to you, then you are on the right page. In this guide, we will reveal the following:
- Opportunities available to make money in Canada
- How much you can expect to earn, and more
So, let’s begin.
How Can I Make Money from Online Gaming?
Before you can earn cash from online gaming in Canada, you need to first pick a method that works for you. Here are some of the most common ones and the amounts you can earn on average:
Professional eSports Player
“Esports is not just a passion; it’s a billion-dollar industry waiting for smart entrepreneurs to take their share.” — Ralph Reichert, Co-CEO of ESL.
Competing in professional tournaments like Call of Duty and League of Legends is one way to make a lot of cash playing games in Canada. In fact, statistics show that Canadian professional players have won more than $48 million in cash across 9,000+ tournaments. Impressive right?
So, exactly how much money can you make from gaming professionally?
According to Glassdoor, you can earn up to $40,000 per annum as a professional gamer. However, this figure may vary depending on your skill level. For instance, Artour “Arteezy” Babaev who is the most successful Canadian eSports player has claimed over $2,500,000 in winnings. This means there is no limit to your earning potential if you are a good player.
Freelance Game Blogger
If you love playing games, why not make money writing about them too? You can share your experience with others in the form of reviews and playthroughs to help other players get through difficult stages.
Glassdoor shows that game writers in Canada earn an average of $52,000 annually. In contrast, Zip Recruiter reports that you can earn $27 an hour on average as a video game writer in Canada. Like most of the options we have covered so far, the amount you can earn isn’t fixed. It can change depending on if you write for brands or own a blog.
Knowing this, here’s how to make money from gaming website:
- Use Google AdSense and similar platforms
- Become an affiliate marketer
- Publish reviews for gaming brands
- Sell merchandise to your followers
- Host contents or tournaments
Live Streaming
“It’s hard to get me out of the house when I’m making $60,000 an hour playing video games.” This quote from T-pain, the popular American rapper and musician gives you accurate insight into what to expect from streaming games. He streams his live gameplay on Twitch and has benefited from his huge followership.
Here, you’ll first have to get enough subscribers before you start to earn. Once done, you can monetize your channel and get cash through donations, subscriptions, and adverts. As a small/average streamer, you can expect between $50 – $5,000 monthly, depending on your views.
If you make it into the big leagues and amass a very large audience, you can earn anything from $5,000 – $200,000! A good example is Ninja, a video gamer popular for streaming video games like Fortnite and Call of Duty. It was estimated that he earned up to $500,000 monthly in 2023!
To earn this kind of money from streaming, you’ll need to be a good gamer with a great personality that people would love.
Game Testers
A game tester plays games under development to check for problems before their final release. In Canada, a game tester can earn an average of $17.25 an hour which is equal to $32,640 per year.
The good news is that you don’t need a degree to become a game tester. But you’ll need a deep understanding of game mechanics and techniques to test and track bugs.
Online Casino Game Player
The online gambling market in Canada is one that has experienced tremendous growth. In fact, Statista reports that it is expected to show a 5.98% annual growth rate. At this pace, the market volume is projected to reach $3.49 billion in 2029.
You can tap into this large market by earning money playing slots and other games in casinos, while making sure you’re aware of the legal age requirements by referring to Canada’s gambling age laws explained. Depending on how much you wager, winnings can range from as little as $5 up to millions!
For instance, an anonymous resident of Vancouver won C$7.5 million on the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot. This is impressive and shows that the earning potential is limitless. However, remember to gamble responsibly so you don’t develop a gambling problem.
if you are still interested, here’s how to make money from online gaming in casinos:
- Learn the rules of the game first
- Choose games that have a high RTP
- Start your bets small and gradually increase it
While this does not guarantee winnings, they greatly improve your chances.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is possible to make money playing video games in Canada. However, you must be willing to put in the effort. Making money from gaming online needs a lot of consistency and effort. Many people can play games, which means you’ll be dealing with lots of competition. But if you can put in the work, making millions from your passion can become a reality.
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