What’s the Future for Cashless Payment?
Intercard CEO Shares His Vision for the Sector and His Company
By Robert Sax
In 2019, Intercard CEO Scott Sherrod declared that “the future of payment is 100% cashless.” It turns out he was right. While there are still some amusement operators clinging to cash, in 2024, the majority of parks, FECs and arcades are now partially or totally cashless.
So, what future does Sherrod see now? “It’s about options – providing cashless technology options that allow guests to pay and play the way they want,” he said. “From mobile devices to wearables to QR codes, operators must make it easy for guests, including the ones who still prefer cash.”
Sherrod is an experienced developer who knows how to code, and is personally involved every day in the creation of the company’s software and hardware. “Intercard products are made in the U.S., and we are proud of that,” Sherrod said. He and his team work diligently to keep abreast of advancements in cashless payments.
“To be at the top of technology in our industry you have to listen to the voice of the customer and constantly track research and trends because if you take your eye off the ball, you could miss the future,” he noted.
In a Q&A for RePlay, Sherrod discussed the payment options available to operators, and which choice he believes is best for the many different types of FECs, BECs and LBEs that Intercard partners with around the world.
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What is your newest payment option and what operator does it suit best?
We introduced the iQ reader in 2023. It scans QR codes from a mobile device, wristband or a paper receipt. Paper receipts are much cheaper than plastic cards and eliminate card jams and the need to restock cards. This saves the operator time and money.
We find that QR code payment is best suited for unattended spaces, for example, route operators, midways and large parks. In beta testing with route operator Venu+ they loved the savings from reduced service calls and the lower cost of supplies. John Kneip, their senior director of game rooms, told me that integrating credit card acceptance at the QR reader has also augmented revenue. He calls the iQ system “another example of Intercard innovation and delivering on the needs of operators.”
What type of operator benefits most from using wristbands for payment?
Active locations like trampoline parks and soft play venues do really well with wristbands. Wearables are fun to use, and guests of all ages love them. Wristbands are customizable to any brand and are becoming a more affordable option for many.
Why is it taking so long for phone payment options to catch on?
Smartphones are useful for paying by mobile wallet or a QR code at retail stores with standardized POS terminals because you only have to take out your phone once. At arcades it’s awkward to activate a game with a phone. Gamers don’t want to have to take their device out every time they play a game. And parents aren’t going to hand their phone over to an unsupervised 12-year-old to use for payment.
You introduced credit card readers a few years ago. What operator does this work best for?
Every operator should have at least a few games with our Impulse reader that takes credit as well as play cards. We developed it for the impulse player who wants to play a game but doesn’t have time to go get a play card. Operators of unattended venues have had great success with the Impulse, including Sunstar Vending, Bar Partners and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Is there a future for the tried-and-true play card?
Yes, play cards are going to be with us for a long time but not forever. Facial recognition technology, although it is many years away, is coming. It will be very disruptive to our industry however, the play card will always have staying power because the float on a card can help an operator in slower times. It’s also a colorful and convenient souvenir that can prompt a guest to return for more fun. My wife always has her wallet in her handbag, so the play cards stay with her.
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Sherrod said he’s proud of Intercard’s collaborations with industry partners to expand cashless technology beyond the arcade. This includes integrating the Intercard platform with POS standards like Brunswick Sync and Toast so that guests can use their cards to buy movie tickets, go bowling and order food and beverages at FECs such as Main Event and Cinergy Entertainment. In a particularly “sweet” project, Intercard recently became the first to integrate cashless technology with vending machine maker Incredivend’s new Skittles Remix Kiosk.
From candy machines to VR games, Sherrod is committed to making it easy for guests to have fun with their family and friends. “Our team is always working to make doing business easier for our global family of customers,” he said. “When they thrive, we thrive.”
For more information on Intercard’s technology and products, visit www.intercardinc.com.
