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TECHNOLOGY

(continued from page 38) back to use it — and probably will reload the card. If
snapshot of how well games are performing. There’s there’s no credit remaining, the card serves as a form of
no need to wait for coins or tokens to be counted and advertising and a reminder of the fun the person had at
entered into a spreadsheet. Real-time reporting makes it your center. That ignites a desire to return.
easier to recognize trends or problems. While cashless card systems undoubtedly have numerous
Although reporting templates may work for most opera- benefits, operators may wonder how many games they
tors, reports can be customized to fit an individual opera- need to make it a viable option. Most industry experts
tor’s specific needs. A wealth of information is available, agree that nine or 10 games is the minimum, although
such as revenue for each game, tickets paid out, how many there are examples of centers with just a half-dozen games
cards were reloaded and what items were redeemed. installing a system.
“The more insight the better because you want to invest Sax says a cashless card system is a tool that gives
in what’s working,” stresses Paz. operators the ability to deal with a number of challenges,
Game cards can be a valuable part of any birthday pack- eliminate some headaches and put more money in their
age. Giving a preloaded $5 game card to birthday party pocket.
attendees and a $10 game card to the birthday child guar- According to Duke, most proprietors who make the
antees the children will experience the excitement of your switch to a cashless card system say they wish they had
arcade. And, not wanting the excitement to end, most chil- done it sooner.
dren will beg their parents to reload their cards. “My advice is to do it now,” he says. “You’ll be so much
Creating birthday specials is easily accomplished by happier. I wouldn’t think of it as an expense because it will
discounting the price on several games. You also can offer rapidly pay for itself.”
unlimited game play for a limited time, such as one hour. How much difference can installing a cashless card sys-
Typically, operators block play off crane machines and tem make? Licausi says it’s akin to going from manual scor-
redemption games during this special offer. ing to computerized scoring.
Duke says game cards motivate people to return. If That’s a powerful analogy, one that should help make a
there’s credit remaining on the card, they want to come proprietor’s decision much easier.

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