How to Test a Claw Machine Location Before You Expand
A location may look busy, but that does not necessarily mean a claw machine will attract enough players. People may walk past without noticing it, or they may be interested but have no convenient place to stop and play.
Before installing several machines or signing a long-term placement agreement, test the location with a small number of machines. Observe customer behavior, record actual play activity and compare the results over time. This gives you a more reliable basis for deciding whether to continue, adjust the setup or move the equipment.
1. Do Not Judge a Location by Foot Traffic Alone
A busy entrance, shopping area or food court can attract many visitors. However, the number of people passing a machine is only one part of the picture.
Pay attention to how people behave around the proposed location.
Do visitors have time to stop?
Are families or groups passing through?
Can people see the prizes from a distance?
Is there enough room for someone to play without blocking others?
Do customers naturally spend time in this area?
For example, a machine near a cinema waiting area may attract attention before a screening. A machine beside a busy entrance may receive plenty of passing traffic but fewer people willing to stop.
The best position is not always the busiest one. It is the position where visibility, customer interest and convenience come together.
2. Start With a Small Placement Test
Avoid investing heavily in a new location before understanding its potential.
If possible, begin with one or two machines. Choose models that suit the available space and the customers who visit the venue.
For the initial test, keep the setup relatively simple:
Select machines that are easy to see.
Use prizes that match the target audience.
Display clear pricing and payment instructions.
Check that the machines are working properly.
Keep the surrounding area clean and accessible.
Do not change several things at once. If you replace the prizes, move the machine and change the pricing on the same day, it becomes difficult to understand which change affected the results.
A small, controlled test makes the next decision easier.
3. Observe Customers Before and After Installation
Before placing the machine, spend some time observing the proposed area.
Visit during different periods, such as weekday afternoons, weekday evenings and weekends. Customer behavior can vary considerably depending on the day and time.
After installation, observe the same periods again.
Look for three types of customer behavior:
People who notice the machine
They look at the cabinet or prizes but keep walking. This may indicate that the machine is visible but the display, prize selection or location is not encouraging enough.
People who stop and watch
They approach the machine, watch someone playing or examine the prizes. These visitors have shown interest, even if they do not immediately pay to play.
People who actually play
These are the customers generating paid plays. Record the activity rather than relying only on how busy the machine appears.
This observation helps identify where the problem may be. A machine that receives attention but few plays may need a different prize selection, clearer instructions or a more suitable price.
4. Record the Numbers That Matter
You do not need complicated software to evaluate an initial placement. A basic daily record can provide useful information.
Metric | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Paid plays | Number of paid game attempts | Shows actual usage |
Revenue | Total money collected | Helps evaluate sales |
Prize cost | Cost of prizes given out | Helps estimate operating margin |
Downtime | Time the machine was unavailable | Identifies operational problems |
Refill frequency | How often prizes need replenishing | Helps plan staff work |
Customer feedback | Common questions or complaints | Highlights possible improvements |
For cashless machines, use the available transaction records where possible. For coin-operated machines, maintain a consistent collection and counting process.
Make sure the recording method is the same throughout the test. Otherwise, daily comparisons may be misleading.
5. Compare Weekdays and Weekends Separately
One strong Saturday does not prove that a location will perform well throughout the month.
A shopping mall, cinema or family entertainment venue may have very different visitor patterns on weekdays and weekends.
Separate the records into at least two groups:
Weekday performance
Weekend performance
You can also compare different time periods, such as afternoon and evening.
For example, a machine may receive most of its plays after school or during weekend family visits. That information can help you decide which prizes to stock and when staff should check the machines.
When comparing results, use similar operating hours. A machine open for twelve hours should not be compared directly with one that operated for only six.
6. Check Whether the Machine or the Location Is the Problem
Low play activity does not always mean the location is unsuitable.
Before removing a machine, check its condition and presentation.
Possible issue | What to check |
|---|---|
Few people notice it | Visibility, lighting and position |
People look but do not play | Prize appeal, price and game instructions |
Players try once and leave | Game experience and prize arrangement |
Machine stops working | Controls, claw mechanism and payment system |
Prize compartment looks empty | Prize quantity and refill schedule |
Customers have difficulty paying | Payment method and instructions |
A machine that is not operating correctly cannot provide a fair test of the location.
Likewise, prizes that do not match the local audience may reduce interest even when the machine is placed in a good position.
Make adjustments carefully and record when each change is made.
7. Calculate the Basic Operating Result
Revenue alone does not show whether a placement is worthwhile.
You also need to consider prize expenses, venue commission, collection costs, maintenance and other operating expenses.
A simple calculation is:
Estimated Operating Profit = Revenue − Prize Costs − Venue Commission − Other Operating Expenses
For example, assume a machine generates $300 in revenue during a particular period.
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Revenue | $300 |
Prize costs | $60 |
Venue commission | $60 |
Other operating expenses | $20 |
Estimated operating profit | $160 |
These figures are illustrative only. Actual results depend on the play price, prize cost, agreement with the venue and operating conditions.
For a placement business, calculate each machine separately. A good-performing machine should not hide the losses of another machine in the same location.
8. Decide Whether to Keep, Move or Expand
After collecting enough consistent operating data, review the results.
There are three possible decisions.
Keep the current setup
If the machine receives regular plays, operating costs are manageable and the venue is satisfied, keeping the existing arrangement may be the right choice.
Adjust the placement
If customers show interest but the machine is not receiving enough paid plays, try improving visibility, changing the position or reviewing the prize selection.
Consider expansion
If the initial machines perform consistently well and the venue has enough suitable space, discuss adding more equipment.
Do not expand simply because the first machine had a few unusually good days. Look for a pattern across different days and operating periods.
Also consider whether additional machines would compete for the same customers. Adding more cabinets does not automatically increase total revenue.
A Simple Location Testing Record
Operators can use the following format for each machine.
Record | Details |
|---|---|
Venue name | Location or business name |
Machine model | Model and configuration |
Installation date | Date the test begins |
Operating hours | Daily opening hours |
Daily paid plays | Number of paid attempts |
Daily revenue | Total collected |
Prize expenses | Cost of prizes used |
Machine downtime | Hours unavailable |
Customer feedback | Questions and comments |
Final decision | Keep, adjust or expand |
Keep records for each location rather than combining all machines into one report. This makes it easier to identify which venues deserve more investment.
Final Thoughts
A promising location should be tested, not simply assumed to be profitable. Start with a manageable installation, observe how customers interact with the machines and keep accurate operating records.
Once you understand the customer pattern and the actual operating costs, you can make a more informed decision about adding machines or expanding to another venue.
For arcade operators and distributors, this approach also helps when evaluating new placement opportunities. It reduces the risk of buying too much equipment before the business case is clear.
About Fanhong
Guangzhou Fanhong Animation Technology Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of commercial claw machines and arcade equipment in Panyu, Guangzhou, China. We provide different machine styles and OEM/ODM customization options for arcade operators, distributors and entertainment businesses.
For product information and quotations, contact our sales team.
WhatsApp: +86 18922467886
