Successful Prize Redemption The Keys to Doing it Right No Matter Your Operation’s Size by Howard McAuliffe, Partner, Pinnacle Entertainment Group Hello, amusement aficionados! Prize redemption has been a cornerstone of our industry for years, and for good reason – done well, it is one of the most powerful tools an operator has to drive revenue, build loyalty and create the kind of experience that keeps guests coming back. I’ve spent a big part of my career thinking about how to get redemption right. This month, I want to share what I’ve learned across three areas that I believe are…
Author: RePlay Editor
Get Dirty: The High-Margin Beverage Revolution Why “Dirty Soda” Is the Social Media Hero Your Concessions Need Owner of Planet Novak & The Novak Network In February, while attending the IAAPA FEC Summit, our group visited Pecan Lake Entertainment in Queen Creek, Arizona. As we toured their impressive food and beverage setup, I kept seeing a sign for “Dirty Soda.” Now, for those who know me, you know I’m not much of a drinker. When I hear the word “dirty” in front of a drink name, my mind immediately jumps to a martini or some other alcoholic concoction. I initially…
Hold a Potential Party Instead of a Pity Party By Beth Standlee, CEO, TrainerTainment The first quarter of 2026 has come and gone. Old friends and new came to Vegas to attend the Amusement Expo show. The talk was full of uncertainty, lack of predictability, soft sales, and more. And yet, many I encountered showed signs of resilience. I want to share a very special person with you. Nancy Starr (yes, two R’s because one was not enough for Nancy), was my chair at Vistage, a global executive coaching and peer advisory organization. I met her in 2008 when my…
“What, Me Worry?” – MAD Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman by Jack Guarnieri, Jersey Jack Pinball & PinballSales.com Worry. It seems like the whole world is worried about something. What’s going to happen next?! I realized that a couple of my favorite songs are all about not worrying. One is Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds in which he sings, “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is gonna be alright.” Another is The Beach Boys’ Don’t Worry Baby. I’ve been playing that since I was 15 years old. People are worried about everything…maybe today more than ever. But, in…
When you walk into a business these days, you’re often greeted by one – or sometimes all – of their employees yelling out some form of greeting, like “Welcome to Citibank!” While many people like that folksy approach, others find it annoying when they feel like they have to respond. I vote on the side of “like” except when you go into a place a half dozen times in the same day, like to the hardware store when you’re in the middle of a project. Any way you slice it, though, a welcome is far better than a “Whaddaya want,…
“Success Beyond the Box” Redemption Plus Says Empowering Operators is the Name of the Game From concept to planning to operation, Redemption Plus said they aim to be “the partner that bridges the gap between an awesome looking redemption wall and a sustainable reality.” Running an FEC is hard work and the team there says it’s their goal to make the job a bit easier. “We guide operators through the entire lifecycle – from the initial concept and strategic planning to the daily grit of operating a high-performance venue,” the company said. A new part of the team who’s making…
ATM Geeks Serve Machines Nick Mehdi, the founder of ATM Geeks, already has a decade and a half in the industry, which began after his family installed an ATM at the gas station they operated. He launched his own first venture, the Southern California-based United ATM, in 2013 after earning a finance degree from California State University, Northridge, and gaining experience in the banking sector. Operating initially from a 1,000-sq.-ft. office, United ATM expanded quickly as gas stations and retailers increasingly added ATMs to their locations. The company also had a service division that helped other independent ATM deployers and…
The Redemption Racer Is Here Raw Thrills Brings Unique Concept to Market Jackpot Racer turned heads at IAAPA Expo 2025 when it was first introduced. That’s because this latest Raw Thrills game isn’t only a motorcycle racing video game but a redemption machine, too. In the “rare and innovative redemption concept,” the factory says players hop on their bikes and race against the “Jackpot Racer,” aiming for the highest position while winning tickets. They also tout that its nonstop excitement encourages repeat play. Eugene Jarvis, the founder of Raw Thrills, said the company’s game developers have been kicking around…
New Architects of Arcade Artistry How Zooom Studios Says It’s Redefining the Arcade Experience While creative innovation is the cornerstone of coin-op, outsourcing design and acquiring rights to finished games from overseas partners has become commonplace. Sprinting in the opposite direction is what Zooom Studios’ President Glen Kramer feels is exactly why they’ve enjoyed rapid success. Kramer says their “Designed in America, Manufactured Globally” model provides them with the flexibility to ensure that while the price remains competitive, the soul of the game remains rooted in the high-quality standards he has championed in the industry for years. He says…
Soft Play Keeping Kids Active Indoor Playgrounds from the ’80s Have Grown Up & Are Even More Vital As weather brings families to head indoors during the winter and throughout the year, finding ways to keep kids active “becomes more important than ever,” says the team over at Soft Play, which builds indoor playgrounds and other play structures for kids. Citing the CDC stat that reports childhood obesity now affects 21.2% of U.S. children and adolescents, a major increase from the past, Soft Play’s vice president Rich Albright wants to be a part of the solution. He joined the company…