5 Minute Read

Arcade games aren’t just for arcades. Non-traditional arcade locations—such as hotels, bars, laundromats, RV parks, and even car washes—are discovering how arcade game rooms can boost revenue, increase foot traffic, and keep customers engaged for longer periods.

People generally love arcade games and test their skills with crane machines or driving games. So why not take the opportunity to let your customers have some fun? There has been a trend of non-traditional locations adding game rooms to differentiate themselves or generate additional revenue. 

Whether your business operates out of a small or a sizeable square-foot complex, maximizing your financial return from every inch of your property is essential. After all, you pay rent, taxes, and utilities on the space, so it only makes sense to use it to drive income.

Examples of Successful Non-Traditional Arcade Locations

Ski Resorts

Ski resorts such as Jay Peak, Burke Mountain, and Smugglers Notch in Vermont have been adding game rooms to their lodges to keep guests entertained while taking a break from the slopes. Jay Peak took a step further by adding mini-bowling, a movie theater, and a second arcade room to offer guests alternative options if they want to take a day off from skiing and snowboarding, or to provide those spending a few days with something to do in the evenings. 

Sports Facilities

On the other side of the country, in the Seattle area, Arena Sports, a chain of indoor soccer fields, decided to turn its sports arena into a complete Family Entertainment Center. The facility features over 80 arcade and redemption games, a ropes course, a climbing wall, laser tag, bowling, and virtual reality experiences. This family-run business began with soccer and continues to build on its success by offering a range of fun family activities suitable for all ages. 

Apartment Complexes

However, activity-based locations aren’t the only ones getting in on the game room trend. In San Diego, CA, a high-end apartment building has seen positive responses from tenants since adding several arcade games, Highway 66 Mini Bowling, and an HD full-swing golf simulator. They are all set for free play, allowing tenants to enjoy the facilities on the premises without incurring additional costs. 

Housing Developments

Another California hospitality spot, Rancho Mission Viejo, a 23,000-acre active housing development, already offers many amenities, including a swimming pool, fire pit, bocce ball courts, and more. However, they wanted to add a convenience that would be a hit with residents while still generating revenue. Since adding a mix of the best games that cater to this robust community, the arcade has become a big success with both younger and older residents. The revenue generated from the arcade’s token sales was more than enough to cover the community’s annual lease cost within the first seven months of opening the game room. 

Farms

Remlinger Farms in Washington is a great example of how non-traditional arcade locations can utilize games to enhance the guest experience. Known for its family-friendly attractions, the farm added a full arcade to keep visitors engaged between outdoor activities. The result? Increased dwell time, added revenue streams, and more reasons for families to come back year-round. Read the full story.

Vacation Rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, and Boutique Stays)

Today’s travelers are seeking unique experiences when booking vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Adding a small arcade setup — even just a couple of classic machines like a multicade, claw machine, or pinball — can instantly make a property stand out in listings. Arcade games create memorable stays for families and groups, encourage positive reviews, and can even justify higher nightly rates. Owners of vacation properties can utilize arcade games to differentiate themselves in a competitive market while offering guests a nostalgic and fun amenity.

How Much Do Arcade Games Make?

For details on how profitable arcade games can be, check out our “A Dive into the Profitability of Arcades” post.

Make the Most of Your Space

One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by converting a previously unused or underutilized area of your building into a game room. That never-used conference room or disorganized storage space could potentially provide your business with an additional source of income. This is particularly true if your business experiences high foot traffic or you frequently have customers waiting in a reception area for extended periods.

When customers spot a pinball machine or racing game in the next room, they are instinctively drawn to check it out. This initial curiosity can often lead to 30 minutes or more of pure, unadulterated enjoyment for your customer and some extra money in your bank account for you and your business.

With the numerous types and styles of games available, you can select ones that complement your location. Creating non-traditional arcade locations is easy. Extreme Powersports in Columbus, GA, is an authorized motorsports dealer with two Super Bikes 3 added to their showroom for when families see the different motorcycles and other motorsports, keeping the kids occupied and entertained. They also included a Prize Cube claw machine, customized with the Extreme Powersports logo, and filled with t-shirts and small motorbikes for the kids, in keeping with the company’s theme. 

Fun For All Ages

Unlike many other sources of additional income your company can utilize, game rooms are fun and loved by customers. While customers might get annoyed if they see you charging for parking or upselling products to make some extra cash, they will often be excited and happy to see you installing a new game room for them to enjoy, making the few extra bucks they would have to pay worth it for the different experiences. Adding a game room to your property is truly a win-win situation.

Although creating an additional income stream is likely the primary benefit of installing a game room, it is worth noting that it can also have other positive effects on your business. In particular, a game room can help drive customers to your location, where they may spend money on your core products or services.

Increase Time on Site

If you operate a restaurant or bar with a game room, customers will likely come to your establishment “just to play some pinball for a while” or “shoot a few hoops on the basketball game with some friends.” Before long, however, they will have worked up an appetite and decide to grab a few more things before leaving. Without the game room on-site, you would have lost the gaming, food, and beverage income.

Outer Orbit, based in San Francisco, brings food and fun together, offering spirits and Hawaiian-inspired dishes & desserts along with nine Pinball machines available for guests to enjoy an extended and exciting stay after they’ve finished a meal or are enjoying a few cocktails. To draw a bigger crowd to their establishment, Outer Orbit also hosts Pinball tournaments – each with a different theme, teaches Pinball basics classes, and generously allows a ‘Free Play Wednesday’ every Wednesday to bring in more foot traffic and gain more regulars. 

Need help selecting the ideal arcade setup for your business? Contact Betson to speak with a game room expert or explore our top commercial arcade games.

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