Amusement machine manufacturer LAI Games has conducted a survey of operators that has enabled it to prepare a State of the Industry Report.
Amusement machine manufacturer LAI Games has conducted a survey of operators that has enabled it to prepare a State of the Industry Report.
The company asked operators a series of questions concerning their plans to reopen their businesses. The company felt that it would help to illustrate the viability of the industry currently and the report has now been made available.
Said Tabor Carlton, the company’s marketing director: “Knowing what owners and operators are dealing with right now, along with their plans upon re- opening, allows for more productive conversations and opportunities for us to provide support. We've already started implementing support measures from information gathered directly from the survey and will continue to do so in efforts to help the industry get back on its feet.”
The report was compiled from the responses of 200 operators, broken down as 23 per cent large FECs, 21 per cent small FECs, 11 per cent bowling centres, 25 per cent single location arcades, 8 per cent route operators and 13 per cent other locations. 65 per cent of them said that they had been compelled to let employees go because of the pandemic.
They reported zero revenue in 58 per cent of the responses, while 40 per cent said that they’d managed a small amount of revenue and only 2 per cent moderate revenues. Those generating revenue said it was mainly from renting games and equipment, pre-selling play packages for food delivery.
Their main concern about reopening, in 48 per cent of the responses was generating revenue; then came critical public perception (22 per cent), hygiene (17 per cent), second wave closure (10 per cent) and 3 per cent had no concerns at all.
Other interesting findings were that 85 per cent of the operators responding said that they had planned changes in the way that they normally operate. On cashless systems, 48 per cent reported that they currently operate one, while 28 per cent said they did not and the remainder said that they had both cash and coin and debit cards. If they didn’t currently use a debit card system 62 per cent said that they are now considering installing one.
