If you have licensed video gaming machines in your establishment, you might think the hard part is over (that is, finding a video gaming provider to partner with, going through the process of licensing and getting your video gaming area set up). You also might think a “set it and forget it” mentality works since your video gaming provider takes care of a lot of the heavy lifting. But there are still some gaming-related mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
Mistake 1: Not Following the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Rules and Regulations
Yes, there are strict rules you must abide by if you are licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to have licensed video gaming machines. No, there is not any wiggle room when it comes to violations. We’ve outlined some ways to avoid PGCB fines elsewhere on our website, but it’s worth noting that you should always ask your video gaming provider (or contact us at hello@accelentertainment.com) if you have any specific questions about compliance. Here are some quick tips to make sure you’re following the rules:
- Make sure that your patrons in the gaming area are at least 21 years of age. This is an easy situation to avoid with proper staff training and signage. Each staff member should be checking the gaming area regularly. Ensure you have signs up that clearly state the area is only available to the 21 and over crowd.
- Are you updating your contact information as it changes? Let your video gaming provider know immediately if you’ve changed ownership, names, address, etc. Failure to do so may result in a hefty fine and in some cases revocation of your license.
- Have one of your video gaming terminals (VGTs) stopped working? You’ll need to call your video gaming provider immediately — not only to avoid a possible decrease in revenue, but to also stay compliant with the regulations.
Mistake 2: Not Taking Proper Care of Your Video Gaming Terminals
Your video gaming provider should take care of most of the preventative maintenance related to your VGTs, but there are things you can do to keep them in working order and thus, maximize play time during your open hours.
- Never use chemical cleaners on the VGT screens. It’s best to wipe down any spills or prints with a clean, soft cloth lightly dampened with warm water.
- Keep the gaming area no more than 75 degrees.
- Wipe down chairs with warm water and mild soap.
- Never allow smoking in your location — not only will it ruin the machines, it goes against best practices.
Mistake 3: Not Getting to Know Your Customers
Are your customers mostly male or female? What age range? Do they like to talk while they play or be left alone? Taking the time to get to know your patrons, and especially your gaming players, will go a long way. Find out what their favorite soft drink is and offer it when they come in to play. Find out what kind of music they like and get the TouchTunes going for them. These are small tokens of your appreciation for their patronage but go a long way when it comes to how customers choose where to spend their free time.
Mistake 4: Not Training Your Staff
Your employees are likely trained in many aspects of the food and beverage industry: bartending training, security training, food handling, etc. You’ll need to make sure they are also trained in the gaming industry as well. This includes providing them with information on:
- Who may be in the gaming area (carding hard to ensure all patrons are over the age of 21)
- What to do when a video gaming machine stops working
- What to do if a patron has problems redeeming a voucher
- How to properly close and open each morning to eliminate any security issues
When in doubt, reach out to us at hello@accelentertainment.com for suggestions on how to better train your employees in handling your video gaming machines.
Do you know of any other mistakes licensed video gaming locations should avoid? If so, share them below in the comments sections.
