If you’re a professional Dungeon Master running paid sessions or a tabletop game designer publishing original content, you’ve probably faced this moment: You’re getting paid, running a schedule, managing clients or customers—and suddenly, your hobby looks a lot like a business.
And that’s because it is.
From custom campaigns to indie rulebooks, zines, and live-streamed one-shots, the world of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) has evolved into a legitimate revenue stream for thousands of creators. But many are still operating without a formal business structure—leaving themselves financially vulnerable and logistically disorganized.
This is where the quiet power of an LLC (Limited Liability Company) comes in. Forming one won’t change your initiative rolls, but it could safeguard your income, unlock growth, and legitimize your creative business in ways that truly matter.
Contents
Why Professional DMs and Game Designers Should Consider an LLC
1. Protection from Legal and Financial Risks
If you’re charging for sessions or selling game content, you are a business owner. And with business comes risk:
- A player claims emotional distress after a session
- A customer disputes a digital product purchase
- You get hit with a copyright complaint over your published module
An LLC creates a legal barrier between your business activities and your personal life. If something goes wrong, your personal assets—your bank account, car, or apartment—are usually protected, assuming you’ve maintained proper separation between business and personal finances.
2. Professionalism That Attracts Partners and Clients
Using an LLC name—like “Arcana Forge Games LLC” or “Tabletop Tacticians LLC”—signals to players, publishers, and sponsors that you’re serious. It helps with:
- Securing convention appearances or streaming partnerships
- Receiving freelance writing gigs or module commissions
- Negotiating with printers, marketplaces, or platform admins
Even when you’re the only person behind the screen, the LLC presents a polished, credible face to the world.
3. Financial Clarity and Bookkeeping Ease
Running games? Selling PDFs? Streaming your campaigns?
That’s a lot of moving pieces—and money. With an LLC, you can open a dedicated business bank account, link up accounting tools like QuickBooks or Wave, and cleanly track all your income and expenses. That means:
- Cleaner tax filings
- More accurate deductions
- Less stress during audit season
4. Room to Scale Creatively
Want to release a campaign setting? Start a podcast? Run a Kickstarter?
An LLC gives you the flexibility to grow. You can create DBAs (Doing Business As) for new product lines, hire collaborators legally, and even partner with other creators while keeping everything under one umbrella.
Common Scenarios Where an LLC Helps
Paid Game Mastering
If you run paid sessions on platforms like StartPlaying, Discord, Roll20, or even in-person at game shops, you’re essentially a contractor. An LLC allows you to accept payments, sign contracts, and market yourself without exposing your personal identity.
Indie Game Publishing
Creating and selling your own TTRPG system, supplement, or adventure module? An LLC lets you operate a storefront, handle digital product rights, and enter agreements with printers or distributors.
Streaming and Content Creation
If you’re monetizing through Twitch, YouTube, or Patreon, you’re collecting business income. An LLC allows you to open accounts, file taxes, and work with sponsors under a unified brand.
Event Hosting and Convention Work
Running tournaments, live events, or GM-for-hire services at cons? Some events may require you to carry insurance or sign vendor agreements—easier to do under a business name than your own.
How to Form an LLC for Your TTRPG Business
- Choose a business name – Reflect your brand or specialty (e.g., “Mythic Mapmakers LLC”)
- Check for availability with your state and domain registrar
- File Articles of Organization through your Secretary of State
- Designate a Registered Agent – You or a service can receive legal documents
- Get an EIN from the IRS – Required for taxes and opening a business bank account
- Open a business bank account – Keep revenue and expenses organized
- Draft an Operating Agreement – Especially useful if you work with collaborators or team members
Real-World Examples from the Tabletop Space
“Spirebound Studios” – Module Publisher
Emma writes D&D 5E-compatible content and sells it through Itch.io and DriveThruRPG. She formed an LLC to handle print licensing, issue invoices to collaborators, and protect herself from legal issues related to public release.
“DM Darius” – Game Master for Hire
Darius runs six paid games per week through Roll20. He formed an LLC to receive payments through Stripe, deduct business expenses (books, maps, digital tools), and create an eventual brand for training other GMs.
“The Lich Lounge” – Actual Play Show
This streamed series collects revenue from Twitch, sponsorships, and Patreon. The creators use an LLC to split income, handle contracts with voice actors, and prepare for long-term IP licensing opportunities.
Expenses You Can Deduct with an LLC
- Dice, minis, props, and gaming materials
- Software like Foundry VTT, DnDBeyond, or Syrinscape
- Printing and publishing costs
- Online hosting (for podcasts, videos, or PDF shops)
- Marketing and advertising
- Home office or studio space
- Travel to conventions or events
Keep receipts, track everything, and work with a tax professional who understands creative businesses.
What an LLC Won’t Do
- It won’t protect you from personal liability if you ignore business formalities (like co-mingling funds)
- It won’t make your taxes disappear—though it helps you manage them
- It won’t prevent copyright claims—stay compliant with game licensing terms (especially OGL or Creative Commons)
An LLC is a shield, not a suit of plot armor. But it’s better than running your creative empire on a blank character sheet.
Creators Deserve Legal Structure Too
You don’t need a publishing deal, massive audience, or big investment to form an LLC. If you’re telling stories for pay, shipping modules, or building a tabletop brand—you already run a business. It’s time to treat it like one.
The creative side of tabletop games thrives in the gray areas—but your legal and financial setup doesn’t have to. An LLC gives you clarity, control, and confidence to take your work from passion project to protected profession.
Because even in fantasy worlds, structure matters.
