pay-to-play

• pay to play

pay-to-play (not comparable)

1. (video games, of an online game) Requiring payment from the player.
   • 2024 March 14, Georgina Lawton, “I’m not surprised people are suing a dating app company – our addiction to swiping makes us miserable”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     As the lawsuit claims, we’re being programmed to constantly seek a dopamine hit from each swipe in what it calls a “pay-to-play” loop.

2. (by extension, politics, of a politician or a party) Accepting donations in exchange for favors; corrupt.
   • 2004, Larry N. Gerston, Terry Christensen, Recall!: California's Political Earthquake‎:

     Davis's pay-to-play reputation, demanding donations before he would consider policies or appointments favorable to the potential donors, was used against him.

• buy-to-play
• pay-for-play
• quid pro quo

• free-to-play