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The idea of earning money simply by playing games on your smartphone is a dream for many. In a market like Italy’s, where a passion for gaming meets a constant search for innovation and small extra sources of income, “play-to-earn” apps have found fertile ground. But beyond the advertising promises, how realistic is it to turn time spent gaming into tangible earnings? The crucial question is: how much time do I actually have to dedicate to reach a minimum payout threshold, like 10 euros?
This article aims to provide an honest, data-driven answer. We will analyze how these applications work, their real earning rates, and the factors that influence them. The goal is to provide a clear picture, separating real opportunities from illusions, to help every type of user—from workers to students—understand if it’s truly worth investing their free time in this activity. This isn’t about finding an easy way to get rich, but about understanding if it’s possible to monetize an existing hobby.
The Italian cultural context, with its strong gaming tradition, pairs perfectly with the digital innovation of “play-to-earn.” While gaming has always been a central element of Mediterranean social life, digitalization has opened up new frontiers. Apps that promise earnings are nothing more than the modern evolution of this concept, adapted to an economy where small supplemental incomes are increasingly sought after. The mobile gaming market is constantly expanding, and these applications fit into a specific niche: those who already spend time playing and want to optimize it.
However, it’s essential to approach this sector with a mindset that balances tradition and innovation. Tradition teaches us the value of fun and pastime, while innovation offers us tools to monetize it. The common mistake is to view these apps as a job or a stable source of income. The reality is that they represent an opportunity for micro-earnings, whose sustainability depends on an informed approach and realistic expectations, far from the promises of easy money.
The mechanism behind “play-to-earn” apps is relatively simple. The user downloads a main application, such as Mistplay, Cash Giraffe, or JustPlay, which acts as a portal. Within it, a list of other games to download and try is offered. The main app tracks the time spent on these sponsored games and rewards the user with virtual points, coins, or gems. These points can then be converted into real rewards, like gift cards for online stores (e.g., Amazon) or credits to PayPal accounts, once a certain payout threshold is reached.
The business model of these platforms is based almost entirely on advertising. Game development companies pay “play-to-earn” apps to acquire new users and increase the visibility of their products. In essence, the user is paid for their time and attention, which translate into ad views and interaction with the games. It’s a system where all parties benefit, but it’s crucial to understand that the earnings for the end-user will always be a tiny fraction of the total revenue generated.
Let’s get to the heart of the matter: the time needed to accumulate 10 euros. Although the figures can vary slightly between different applications and the chosen games, user experience and available analyses converge on similar estimates. The reality is that the hourly earning rate is very low, often quantifiable in just a few euro cents. Reaching the €10 goal is not a matter of days, but of weeks or even months of consistent gaming.
In the Italian and European landscape, some apps have established themselves more than others. Platforms like apps to earn money playing such as Mistplay, Cash Giraffe, and JustPlay are among the most downloaded. Mistplay, for example, rewards users based on playtime and levels reached, with an experience point system (GXP and PXP). Cash Giraffe works similarly, paying out gems for every minute of gameplay, with a rate that tends to decrease over time. JustPlay stands out for more frequent payouts, even every few hours, but with very small amounts, making accumulation just as slow. Although each app has its own quirks, the underlying principle doesn’t change: the time required for a significant earning remains high.
The most realistic estimates indicate an average earning rate that rarely exceeds €0.10-€0.30 per hour. One Reddit user reported earning about £2.50 (around €3) after an hour and a half of playing multiple titles, a result considered above average. Doing a simple calculation, to earn €10 at a rate of €0.20 per hour, it would take 50 hours of active gameplay. If you play one hour a day, it would take almost two months. This calculation, moreover, doesn’t account for the phenomenon of diminishing returns: most apps pay more at the beginning to incentivize the use of a new game, but the earnings per minute drop drastically as you continue to play the same title.
Let’s imagine we want to test one of these apps. During the first week, we dedicate an hour a day, trying out the games with the highest point multipliers. In the first few days, we might accumulate the equivalent of €1-€2 fairly quickly, thanks to initial bonuses. However, by the second week, we would notice that to get the same number of points, we need to play much longer. After a month of consistent gaming, we might have barely reached half of the €10 payout threshold. This scenario, based on numerous user experiences, shows that perseverance is key, but the results are far from quick. The idea of earning money playing for free is appealing, but it requires considerable patience.
The time needed to reach the €10 threshold is not a universal constant but depends on a series of variables that every user should consider. One of the main factors is the choice of games. Apps often offer higher initial earning rates for new games that need promotion. Knowing how to switch between games and take advantage of these “boost” offers can speed up, albeit slightly, the accumulation of points. The frequency with which you discover and use new titles is therefore more profitable than sticking to a single game for weeks.
Another crucial element is the device used. Some apps are only available for one operating system, like Mistplay, which is exclusive to Android, limiting options for iOS users. The phone’s performance can also have an impact, as can battery and mobile data consumption—a “hidden” cost not to be underestimated. For this reason, it’s useful to know strategies to save battery and mobile data. Finally, personal consistency and strategy play a decisive role. Dedicating short but regular gaming sessions and focusing on completing specific objectives or “missions” offered by the app can prove more effective than long, sporadic sessions.
It’s essential to frame the “play-to-earn” phenomenon correctly. These applications are not an alternative to a job or a reliable source of income. Rather, they should be seen as a way to monetize a leisure activity that you would be doing anyway. If a person already loves spending time on mobile games, these apps offer the chance to receive a small reward in return, like a gift card or a paid-for coffee. The mistake is to approach them with the sole purpose of earning money, because the slow process can lead to frustration.
The advantages are flexibility and the absence of entry barriers: anyone can start without any investment. The disadvantages, however, are obvious: the earnings are minimal, the activity can become repetitive, and the time required is disproportionate to the reward. Ultimately, the real “earning” lies in the fun of the game itself. The financial compensation should be seen as a pleasant side effect, not the primary goal. There are also other forms of game monetization, such as testing beta games, which may offer different prospects.
In conclusion, to the question “how long do I have to play to earn 10 euros?” the honest answer is: a lot. We’re talking about tens of hours of active gameplay, which can stretch over weeks or months depending on the commitment and strategy adopted. The real hourly earning rate is very low, making these applications a completely unrealistic source of income. Their value lies elsewhere: in the ability to turn a simple pastime into an opportunity to get a small reward, like a €10 gift card, with no extra effort beyond what one would dedicate to gaming anyway.
The correct approach is to manage expectations. If the main goal is to have fun and discover new games, then the small financial compensation can be a welcome surprise. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a way to supplement your salary or have a significant extra income, it’s better to turn your attention elsewhere. The world of “play-to-earn” is an interesting combination of gaming and micro-finance, but it remains, for the vast majority of users, a hobby with symbolic pay rather than a real earning opportunity.
Yes, it’s possible to earn small amounts of money or gift cards by playing with specific apps. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations: this is not a way to get rich, but rather a system to earn a little extra or treat yourself by using your downtime. The earnings mainly come from watching ads embedded in the apps.
The time needed to earn €10 varies enormously based on the app used, the frequency of play, and the required objectives. Some apps have minimum payout thresholds, for example, of $10, which can take several hours or even weeks of constant gaming to reach. It’s crucial to read reviews and learn about the ratio of time invested to reward offered before starting.
There isn’t a single best app for everyone; the choice depends on personal preferences. The most common types include apps that pay you to test new games, complete missions, or reach certain levels. Other platforms, like Swagbucks or Pawns.app, aggregate various offers, not just for games but also for surveys, allowing you to accumulate points that can be converted into cash or gift cards. It’s always advisable to verify the reliability of apps through reviews on reputable sources.
In Italy, winnings and earnings from games and prize competitions constitute ‘miscellaneous income’ and, in general, should be declared. If the prizes are paid by platforms authorized by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), the tax is withheld at the source. If the earnings come from foreign or unauthorized platforms, it is up to the taxpayer to include them in their tax return. For small, occasional amounts, the situation can be complex; it is always advisable to consult a tax expert for a precise assessment of your specific case.
Yes, many apps that allow you to earn by playing also offer alternative methods to accumulate points or money. Among the most common activities are completing paid surveys, watching video ads, downloading other applications, or writing reviews. Some platforms also function as aggregators for ‘micro-jobs’ or online tasks.