Amusement Arcades

[darrent]

Hi,

Does anybody on here own or know anything about owning an amusement arcade (i.e. gambling machines rather than video games)?

[Snoremeister]

What sort of information are you after. I have in a previous job managed an amusement arcade so may be able to help with some stuff.

[MRSBUG]

Snoremeister said:

What sort of information are you after. I have in a previous job managed an amusement arcade so may be able to help with some stuff.

the things I dont know about you...and we have been together for 6 years....!!

[darrent]

Hi,

Just basic stuff like;
Licensing costs per machine (I know they vary depending on payouts and price to play)
Average profit per machine per year
The 'agro' factor - how many w@nkers do you get in them?
Any other little hidden costs that would not be obvious without being in the know...

Cheers

[Snoremeister]

darrent said:

Hi, Just basic stuff like; Licensing costs per machine (I know they vary depending on payouts and price to play) Average profit per machine per year The 'agro' factor - how many w@nkers do you get in them? Any other little hidden costs that would not be obvious without being in the know... Cheers

Licence costs may vary from area to area, but expect to pay around £250 for a £25 pay out machine, licence lasts 3 years I think. Best bet is to speak to your local licensing authority for advice as there are all sorts of local regs on where you can and can't site arcades. A quick google search or your local authority website should give you contacts.

Average profit is impossible to predict, it depends on the level of trade you get past the machine. I ran an arcade within the theme park (10 years ago) and was disappointed at a profit of less than £200 per week per machine.

Agro factor will again depend on location. You will always get kids trying to get in and play the machines. If you have no video games then it is likely to be less of a problem, but then you are likely to be over 18 premises only. Due to the volumes of cash in machines, it can be £1000's per machine, you will always have people trying to break into machines. It doesn't matter on the level of the security, however hard you make it, some will still try. The level of security you can get is ever more sophisticated, but you have to balance it against cost.

People will always be trying the latest fiddle they heard down the pub. You will get allsorts pushed/poured into coin slots. A trained engineer on site will minimise downtime, and will also be useful in identifying those tring to fiddle.

People are alwyas trying to claim non-payouts, you soon learn the genuine against the fakers, but it taes time. Make sure all the meters on your machine are working and then you can prve pay outs from the cash in the machine.

That should give you enough to think about. An arcade in the right location is a real goldmine, but they also attract scum and troublemakers. It is a case of putting up with the hassle.

>> Edited by Snoremeister on Wednesday 22 September 14:30

[darrent]

Cheers Snoremeister, much appreciated!