Lotto Machines, Key Machines, Etc.

[Alpha8472]

I have noticed that the checkout areas of stores are so cluttered now with self service machines such as Key makers, Lotto machines, coin counters, cell phone resale kiosks, pet tags, DMV Machines, Redbox, etc.

It is a mess up front. The key machines are expensive and they always try to make you buy multiple keys just to get a free key. I don't need 4 copies of a key. I went to an Outdoor Supply Hardware and got a single key for $3.99. I don't think there is any Walmart employee that knows how to make a key anymore. Some keys are too complicated for the automated Key kiosk.

I have seen some ACE Hardware stores that have full service key departments that also program car keys and car fobs. You get much better service there and the prices can be cheaper than kiosks.

Walmart in California has not had Lotto machines until recently. I saw some new ones that are really eye catching giant touch screens. The $1.6 billion Power Ball has made the kiosk a traffic jam. Even employees are lining up to buy tickets. Gambling is limited to casinos in California, so the Lotto is the only type of gambling that people here seem to do.

People from Nevada are crossing into California to buy Power Ball tickets.

[storewanderer]

I have noticed that the checkout areas of stores are so cluttered now with self service machines such as Key makers, Lotto machines, coin counters, cell phone resale kiosks, pet tags, DMV Machines, Redbox, etc.

It is a mess up front. The key machines are expensive and they always try to make you buy multiple keys just to get a free key. I don't need 4 copies of a key. I went to an Outdoor Supply Hardware and got a single key for $3.99. I don't think there is any Walmart employee that knows how to make a key anymore. Some keys are too complicated for the automated Key kiosk.

I have seen some ACE Hardware stores that have full service key departments that also program car keys and car fobs. You get much better service there and the prices can be cheaper than kiosks.

Walmart in California has not had Lotto machines until recently. I saw some new ones that are really eye catching giant touch screens. The $1.6 billion Power Ball has made the kiosk a traffic jam. Even employees are lining up to buy tickets. Gambling is limited to casinos in California, so the Lotto is the only type of gambling that people here seem to do.

People from Nevada are crossing into California to buy Power Ball tickets.

Many of these machines are not maintained by the store and just leased by vendors at this point in time. Some stores may still maintain their soda vending machines for private label soda (pretty sure WinCo does for its La Croix/Shasta machines; it is where the busted cans from 12 packs go while stocking) but that is pretty much where this stops. It does look cluttered and the second something goes wrong when someone is using one of these machines, they assume it is the store's machine (it IS at the store), and the store customer service/management in the store can fix whatever goes wrong, which is often not the case.

[BillyGr]

Many of these machines are not maintained by the store and just leased by vendors at this point in time. Some stores may still maintain their soda vending machines for private label soda (pretty sure WinCo does for its La Croix/Shasta machines; it is where the busted cans from 12 packs go while stocking) but that is pretty much where this stops. It does look cluttered and the second something goes wrong when someone is using one of these machines, they assume it is the store's machine (it IS at the store), and the store customer service/management in the store can fix whatever goes wrong, which is often not the case.

Not sure about other things, but at least here in NY the store has keys for the lottery machine so that they can open it for refilling tickets and such, and they will usually check if something malfunctions to help the customer out. Makes sense, as they also are operating the full-service ones at the desk for printing online game tickets and redemptions (as the self-serve machines can only issue winnings as a credit to buy additional tickets, not give money back).

[storewanderer]

Many of these machines are not maintained by the store and just leased by vendors at this point in time. Some stores may still maintain their soda vending machines for private label soda (pretty sure WinCo does for its La Croix/Shasta machines; it is where the busted cans from 12 packs go while stocking) but that is pretty much where this stops. It does look cluttered and the second something goes wrong when someone is using one of these machines, they assume it is the store's machine (it IS at the store), and the store customer service/management in the store can fix whatever goes wrong, which is often not the case.

Not sure about other things, but at least here in NY the store has keys for the lottery machine so that they can open it for refilling tickets and such, and they will usually check if something malfunctions to help the customer out. Makes sense, as they also are operating the full-service ones at the desk for printing online game tickets and redemptions (as the self-serve machines can only issue winnings as a credit to buy additional tickets, not give money back).

Interesting, I will have to take a look next time I use a lotto machine (out of state) and see what the instructions are if you have a problem with the machine.

[Brian Lutz]

I wonder if Winco also handles the claw machines in the front of their stores themselves, or if they contract that out to someone, because they always seem to have the exact same row of "G-Force Crane" claw machines, vending machines and prize games at the exit of their stores. Most stores that offer claw machines (such as Fred Meyer and Walmart) use a company called Sugar Loaf (National Entertainment Network) to maintain and stock them, but usually there's prominent branding somewhere on the machine to indicate that. I'm guessing they also operate the "Game Play" mini arcade areas in Walmart stores that have them, although I think Bandai Namco's Arcade division operates a few as well.

The key machines seem to be a relatively recent thing, and I suspect they do good business because even though the price is high it's a lot more convenient than going to a hardware store and finding an employee to cut a key for you. The Lotto machines have been around long enough by now that people barely notice them anymore. I hadn't even thought about the fact that I hadn't seen any in the stores in Utah, where there is no state lottery.

[Alpha8472]

The new California Lottery machines are designed to be eye catching with a giant touch screen like a casino slot machine. The top has a bright LED sign advertising the $1.9 Billion jackpot.

People who never play the Lottery, were attracted to touch the screen and interact. It was as flashy as a slot machine. The screen lit up with images of gold coins dropping. It really caught the eye and has increased impulse sales of tickets.

The Lotto machine replaced the second Redbox machine. Very few people rent DVDs and blu-ray movies these days.

The claw machines are usually run by an outside company. I don't think Winco would own their own claw machines.

I have seen a claw machine with $20 bills attached to the prizes by the Burger King restroom. It was a combination BK, convenience store, gas station, and car wash. The claw machine companies must be desperate to get people to try those claw machines.

[Brian Lutz]

Most modern claw machines (as well as the "high value" prize machines like Key Master, Stacker and Barber Cut) can be very easily rigged to only allow the claw to be strong enough to pick up items after the machine has collected a certain amount of money since the last payout. In most cases, the machines won't pay out until several times the value of any of the prizes in the machine has been paid in. Some people have figured out how to quickly determine if a machine is in a state where it will allow a payout, but even then the "skill based" ones are still quite difficult.

On the cruise ship I just spent a week and a half on the casino had a claw machine which just had straight up stacks of cash in it (values ranging from $100 to $500) and you know there's no way those are paying out until people have put thousands into them. I've also seen the Key Master machines in the ships's casino with prizes of as much as $1,000. Over the course of the week I was on that ship I did see one or two of the prizes get claimed and lots of people playing, so I'm guessing those are probably making a chunk of change for the casino.