pay-to-play
Cash unlocks access
Pay-to-play describes arrangements where access, participation, or advantage must be purchased rather than earned on merit.
In politics, it refers to the expectation that campaign contributions will secure government contracts or favorable treatment—a practice that skirts the edge of bribery.
In gaming, pay-to-play can mean either a subscription model requiring payment to access content, or games where spending real money provides competitive advantages over non-paying players.
The investigation uncovered a pay-to-play scheme involving city contracts.
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- extortionObtaining through threats
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
under-the-table · shakedown · payola · sleaze · racketeering · collusion · embezzlement · bribes
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaign contributionsMoney given to candidates
- donationsGifts to organizations
- influencePower to affect others
- accessRight to enter
super PACs · fundraising · special interests · cronyism · patronage · favors · bundling · donors
Hybrid monetization approach
- microtransactionsSmall payments within software
- in-appWithin the software itself
- monetizationConverting something into revenue
- premiumAdded cost for better
paywall · whale · gacha · unlockables · cosmetics · skins · currency · advantage
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
quid pro quo · under-the-table · shakedown · payola · sleaze · racketeering · collusion · embezzlement · bribes · hush money
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- campaign contributionsMoney given to candidates
- donationsGifts to organizations
- influencePower to affect others
access · super PACs · fundraising · special interests · cronyism · patronage · favors · bundling · donors · legislation
freemium
Hybrid monetization approach
- microtransactionsSmall payments within software
- in-appWithin the software itself
- monetizationConverting something into revenue
premium · paywall · whale · gacha · unlockables · cosmetics · skins · currency · advantage · grinding
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- game monetizationin-app purchases, microtransactions, loot boxes, gacha, battle pass
- gaming revenuetable games, handle, win, house edge, high roller
- access costsadmission, cover charge, entry fee, fee, gate money
- academic fraudplagiarism, academic dishonesty, exam cheating, fake degrees, diploma mills
- shadow powerpuppet master, puppeteer, string puller, string pulling, string-pulling
pay-to-playfree-to-play
No-cost base game model
open access · freemium · freeware · no-cost · free
pay-to-playmerit-based
Awarded by achievement
meritocratic · skill-based · level playing field · earned · fair competition
pay-to-playtransparent
Allowing light through
above-board · ethical · public interest · grassroots · uncorrupted
play, player, payment, playing, paying, played, pays, repayment, plays