Cranes and redemption games are often the #1 revenue drivers in an arcade, consistently outperforming other machines. While big-ticket upgrades and flashy new games can add to your bottom line, small operational improvements often lead to long-term gains. Slower months, like May and September, provide the perfect opportunity to reset your operations and prepare for your busiest periods.

Here are nine actionable tips to help you maximize your revenue during slower periods. These tips will set your arcade up for stronger performance year-round.

1. Prioritize Your Crane Operations

Cranes, especially ticket cranes, are often your biggest moneymakers, but only if they’re positioned and managed with intention. Where they sit, how they play, and how often you monitor them directly affects both guest engagement and profit. Treat these machines like assets, not background fixtures.

Place cranes in high-traffic areas. Ticket-range cranes consistently generate the highest revenue in most arcades, so positioning them where guests naturally congregate ensures maximum visibility and play. Place cranes in areas near entrances, snack bars, or by other popular games.
Adjust machines for optimal playability. Machines should be challenging enough to keep players engaged, but fair enough that they feel rewarded. A crane that is too easy can eat into profits, while one that is frustrating can discourage repeat play. Finding the right balance is key.
Review performance regularly. Track which cranes are outperforming and which are underperforming. Adjust placement, prize types, or machine settings accordingly to ensure your top revenue drivers operate at peak efficiency.

2. Build a Crane Payout Tracking Program

The largest threat to crane profitability isn’t often intentional mismanagement. It’s simply a lack of visibility. Without tracking payouts, revenue can slip without being noticed. Building a tracking system doesn’t require new software, just consistency.

Track payouts consistently. Many card systems don’t automatically track ticket-range machines. This lack of visibility can lead to inconsistent payouts and lost revenue. A manual system ensures accuracy.
Use spreadsheets or logbooks. Record coin drips, prize usage, and ticket output daily or weekly. This creates a reliable record for managing payouts and identifying trends.
Train staff to follow the system. Consistent tracking helps maintain fair gameplay, prevents accidental giveaways, and protects overall profits.

3. Leverage Slower Months for Preventive Maintenance

Quiet seasons give you breathing room to address things that get ignored when crowds are in the building. Preventive maintenance now means fewer breakdowns and better presentation when business picks up again.

Deep clean every machine. Slow months are ideal for scrubbing glass surfaces, claw arms, coin slots, LED lights, and plush bins. Clean machines look more inviting and operate more reliably.
Replace worn parts before they fail. Proactive maintenance reduces downtime during peak periods and avoids costly emergency repairs
Refresh decals and lighting. A polished, visually appealing machine improves the guest experience, increases trust, and encourages repeat play.

4. Standardize Staff Processes

Even great machines lose money when procedures are inconsistent. When staff follow different routines, or none at all, important tasks fall through the cracks. Standardizing operations ensures every crane is maintained the same way, every time.

Create clear procedures. Daily and weekly checklists for crane maintenance ensure machines are consistently monitored for payout settings, cleanliness, and prize levels.
Assign responsibilities. Specify which staff members restock prizes, track payouts, and report issues. Make these tasks part of the routine workflow.
Require sign-offs. Ensuring staff confirm completed tasks increases accountability and consistency. For example, opening shift staff restock prizes while closing shift logs payouts, keeping operations smooth and organized.

5. Use Data to Drive Smarter Decisions

Data is your most powerful tool for maximizing revenue. It tells you where to focus your attention and budget. When you analyze performance trends, you can react faster and invest in machines that give you the strongest return.

Analyze machine performance. Tracking which machines earn the most revenue allows you to make informed placement and prize decisions.
Adjust underperformers quickly. If a crane isn’t attracting players, consider repositioning it, swapping prizes, or adjusting payout settings to increase engagement.
Balance guest satisfaction with profitability. Data-driven decisions ensure machines are fun for players while still generating maximum revenue for the arcade.

6. Optimize Redemption Inventory

The right prize presentation can drive arcade sales, which is much more economical than buying new equipment. Even the best arcade can underperform if the prizes don’t feel desirable, fresh, or worth the effort. Prize quality, rotation, and display directly affect how often people play, and how confident they feel about winning.

Offer prizes that players want. Use ticket tracking and performance data to identify the most appealing prizes, and rotate them regularly to maintain excitement. Redemption Plus can help guide you.
Maintain a mix of low, medium and high-ticket items. Low-ticket prizes should be “win often” to encourage play, while high-ticket prizes motivates players to continue trying.
Keep machines clean and attractive. Clear instructions and well-presented prizes build trust with guests and encourage repeat play.

7. Market and Promote Your Cranes

Great machines can’t reach their full potential if guests don’t know what’s in them or why they should play. Strategic promotions, bundles, and visibility efforts help drive traffic and increase spend without changing the machines themselves.

Run themed promotions. Special events like double points nights, “win big” weekends, or seasonal contests can increase crane engagement.
Highlight machines in packages and deals. Cranes can be a selling point in birthday parties, group deals, or other events.
Showcase collectible or trending prizes. Use signage or digital screens to advertise new or exciting prizes. This approach creates a sense of urgency and increases player traffic.

8. Leverage Loyalty Programs and Staff Engagement

Loyalty and human interaction are two of the most underrated drivers of repeat play. Players respond to incentives, and they also respond to enthusiastic staff who point out opportunities. When your team and your rewards programs work together, you create a loop that keeps guests coming back and spending more over time.

Integrate cranes with loyalty programs. Reward repeat players with bonus credits, raffles, or small perks to encourage continued engagement.
Train staff to actively promote machines. Staff can upsell add-on credits and highlight new prizes, increasing overall spend and guest interaction.
Encourage repeat traffic. Engaged staff and loyalty rewards work together to build a base of returning players, which boosts long-term revenue.

9. Plan Seasonal and Strategic Prize Rotations

A static prize selection can make even a great machine feel stale. Guests notice when items don’t change, and over time, familiarity kills urgency. Seasonal swaps, trending licenses, and strategic refreshes keep your floor feeling alive and worth revisiting.

Tie prizes to seasons, holidays, or trends. Seasonal prizes, like Halloween-themed items, make machines feel fresh and relevant.
Track ROI and test new items. Monitor which prizes drive engagement and revenue to make informed purchasing decisions.
Sell seasonal promotions, like a stocking stuffer arcade card for Christmas.

Why Smarter Arcade Management Grows Your Sales

Running a successful arcade is about creating systems and habits that consistently turn play into profit. By focusing on thoughtful machine management, staff accountability, and strategic planning, operators can ensure their arcade floor performs at its best every day. These foundational practices make every visit more engaging for guests while steadily improving your bottom line.

Focusing on these fundamentals is a revenue strategy. At Pinnacle Group Entertainment, we help operators implement smarter arcade management strategies. We use our 20+ years of experience and tested methods to ensure every machine contributes to the bottom line. With the right strategy in place, every crane and redemption game becomes a profit center.

How to Generate More Arcade Sales: 9 Tips to Maximize Your Revenue