There’s an interesting trend going on in gaming at the moment: cash prize tournaments. A growing number of mobile apps, as well as ‘skill-based’ gaming sites, are offering players the chance to compete for actual money against each other. On the surface, it seems relatively harmless, but players need to be aware of the potential risks involved and which platforms can actually be trusted.
The rise of skill-based, cash prize tournaments
■ By 2030, the global skill gaming market size will reach US$92 billion.
■ 65% of mobile gamers worldwide now take part in skill-based gaming, with 45% of users admitting to spending cash on tournaments, competitions, and contests, according to Global Growth Insights.
■ The market is being largely driven by Gen Z and Millennials, who express interest in card and board games, fantasy sports, arcade games, puzzle games, and others.
What’s happening in gaming is that players, particularly on mobile, are chasing meaningful rewards. They want to play, but they also want something worthwhile at the end of it instead of the usual XP and other rewards you have to grind for. Unsurprisingly, it’s led to rapid growth in skill-based games and tournaments that offer cash prizes at the end of it, and it seems as though this is the general direction that gaming is heading in.
However, none of this is taking place on console. Rather, players are competing in cash games across mobile apps, many of which are freemium, along with dedicated ‘skill-gaming’ sites where cash is involved. Winners are then usually able to redeem cash rewards at the end of it all, as well as other prizes like gift cards and sometimes even cryptocurrencies.
Essentially, there’s a mass shift away from traditional gaming at the moment from younger generations, who are seemingly much more interested in the prize-winning aspect of gaming rather than anything else. What’s also become clear recently is that Gen Z is ditching traditional AAA games, known for being extremely expensive, and would much rather compete in these fast-paced, tournament-style games instead, with rewards involved. And in a way, it makes perfect sense, particularly as so many of these games can be accessed within seconds on mobile.
Skillz and other similar platforms are getting attention
When you take a closer look at the skill-based, cash-winning movement taking over gaming right now, Skillz is at the front of it all.
The site markets itself as a place for players to compete “based on your skill level” and “win real-world prizes”, which involves users choosing from hundreds of games like Blackout Blackjack and Yatzy Cash. Those able to beat other players in one-versus-one games or tournaments can then redeem cash rewards via PayPal or check, and the mobile platform now boasts over 30 million worldwide players off the back of this. All in all, it’s widely regarded as safe.
Game Taco is another similar platform currently, having awarded “US$1.5 billion in cash and prizes” spread across its “20 million users”. The site is also known for hosting over 5 million tournaments each month, allowing it to dominate the skill gaming scene, like how Skillz is also doing. Again, although some sceptics disagree with the business model, it’s another safe cash tournament site.
Just like with anything else, though, when a gaming market is growing fast, there are going to be some problems. It’s important to avoid sites like SkillBoss and several others in the skill gaming space that aren’t licensed by reputable governing authorities, as they put players at risk. Of course, a lot of today’s players are desperate to jump into these types of cash tournament games, but the issue is that a small number of the platforms simply aren’t regulated or can’t be relied on when it comes to payouts, so it’s always important to be wary of this.
Many mobile gaming apps now come with cash games
Whether you’re on iOS or Android, you’ve likely also noticed that a lot of the mobile games in the app store now offer ‘cash rewards’ too.
The likes of Solitaire Cash, Bingo Cash, and other similar titles are now racking up huge downloads on the charts, with Solitaire Cash alone boasting over half a million users and the chance to win up to “US$139 per tournament”.
Not so long ago, mobile gaming was dominated by fun, free-to-play games like Candy Crush, but again, there’s a shift going on here that shows even casual gamers are starting to get interested in the fast-paced, cash-reward games that are slowly starting to pop up everywhere.
Sweepstakes casinos continue making waves
Then there’s the prospect of sweepstakes casinos, which are also growing exponentially. These casinos, which let players bet with virtual ‘Sweeps Coins’ rather than actual money, still allow users to enter tournaments or play individually and collect cash rewards at the end by redeeming those coins.
It enabled sweepstakes casinos like the hugely popular Stake.us and WOW Vegas to gather millions of users, many of whom aren’t even fans of casino games and are simply interested in trying to win the cash rewards.
The sweeps casino market generated roughly US$11 billion in revenue throughout 2025, thanks to its expanding player base, and there’s no telling how big this particular niche, which is introducing more casual gamers than ever to the concept of playing for prizes, will get.
And just like many of the skill-based cash games and apps, sweepstakes casinos let you sign up for free as part of their business model, so it immediately gets players hooked.
Cash prize games and tournaments are the future of gaming, but players must be protected
With the incredible rise of skill-based, cash-reward gaming platforms like Skillz and mobile gaming apps happening at the moment, it’s safe to say that it might be an early sign of the future of gaming.
Traditionally, gamers have always played for fun or to complete in-game rewards like XP and skins, none of which translate to the real world. Now, though, it’s all changing, with many Gen Z and Millennial gamers wanting cash rewards for the time they spend glued to their screens.
It’s opened up the opportunity for the likes of Skillz to take over, and it’s unlike anything that the gaming industry has experienced before.
Gamer safety has to be paramount moving forward, as even though most of these cash tournament games and sites are safe and regulated, a small number of them aren’t, so it’s important that gamers are aware of this and only use the officially licensed ones.
At the same time, financially responsible play needs to be promoted across games that offer cash prizes and tournaments, otherwise it could increase the risk of gambling-related harm, something that shouldn’t be allowed to impact young gamers.