Gaming machines are no longer limited to casinos or large entertainment centers. In 2025, convenience stores, gas stations, and small retail shops across the U.S. use them as a steady, predictable way to grow revenue. Margins on fuel, tobacco, and general merchandise keep shrinking, so store owners look for in-store entertainment options that attract customers and generate reliable secondary income.
This guide explains what types of machines exist, what’s legal, what you can realistically earn, and how to choose safe, stable systems. It also shows how Riverslot fits into small-format retail environments.
Why Convenience Stores Add Gaming Machines
Declining Margins Push Stores Toward New Revenue Streams
Fuel margins continue to fluctuate. Tobacco margins shrink almost every year. Many stores rely on impulse buys to stay profitable. Gaming machines offer a different kind of income source — one that is not tied to fuel prices, seasonal foot traffic, or product costs.
Machines Work in Both Busy and Slow Hours
A key advantage: gaming machines stay active even during off-peak times. Regular customers often drop in before or after work, and players tend to return several times a week.
You Already Have the Customers
Most convenience stores already see repeat visitors. Adding one or two machines gives those customers a reason to stay longer and spend more. Even a small store with low foot traffic can see consistent usage if the gaming mix is right.
Types of Gaming Machines for Convenience Stores
There are several categories. Store owners often mix them depending on their state and customer base.
1. Skill Games
Skill games are popular in states like Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia. These titles include a simple skill component — for example, a memorization or pattern-recognition step — that affects the outcome. They attract players who want more control or prefer non-casino-style entertainment.
Common traits:
- Simple interface
- Fast rounds
- High engagement from players familiar with the format
- Seen as a middle ground between pure chance and traditional gambling devices
2. Sweepstakes Machines
Sweepstakes systems use a promotional model. Players receive entries, and those entries reveal the result. This format has existed in the U.S. for years and is widely used in game rooms, cyber cafés, and some small retail locations.
Why stores add them:
- Wide selection of games
- Low operational footprint
- Fits small spaces
- Works well in locations with steady everyday foot traffic
3. Fish Games / Fish Table Cabinets
Fish games are joystick-controlled titles where players “shoot” animated targets on the screen. These cabinets are highly interactive and designed for younger and group-oriented customers.
Where they work best:
- Urban stores
- Stores with evening activity
- Locations near campuses, residential complexes, or busy intersections
4. Hybrid Gaming Kiosks
These are multi-function cabinets that combine sweepstakes, skill-influenced content, and arcade-like options in one terminal. They are ideal for stores with very limited floor space.
5. Single-Terminal Units vs. Multi-Game Cabinets
- Single-terminal machines: one game type per machine. Lower cost, but limited variety.
- Multi-game cabinets: multiple titles in one device. Better for stores with only space for 1–3 units.
Legal Considerations for Store Owners (High-Interest Section)
Legal status depends on two things: the game type and the state. There is no nationwide rule covering all machines, which is why store owners need to understand the basics.
Licensed Gambling Machines vs. Non-Casino Formats
- Licensed gambling machines require gaming licenses and compliance with state-level gambling laws.
- Skill and sweepstakes machines operate under different models. They are not the same as slot machines, but each state defines them differently.
What Store Owners Usually Do to Stay Compliant
This is not legal advice — just a high-level operational view:
- Work with vendors who clearly describe how their system functions.
- Use machines with transparent reporting and adjustable settings.
- Avoid cash payout practices where not allowed.
- Follow state enforcement updates.
- Ensure staff understand the operating rules.
States Where These Machines Are Common
Skill, sweepstakes, and hybrid setups are widely present in:
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Texas
- Florida
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Several Midwestern states with growing retail gaming activity
Local rules vary, but the demand from store owners is strong because the machines generate consistent revenue with minimal floor space.
Revenue Potential for Convenience Stores
No two stores earn the same. Results depend on location, foot traffic, and the machine mix. But based on industry experience, we can outline practical, realistic ranges.
Typical Weekly Earnings (Generalized Estimates)
These are conservative, safe ranges seen across many stores:
- 1–2 machines in a low-traffic rural store: $400–$900 per week combined
- 2–3 machines in an average suburban store: $1,200–$2,500 per week
- 3–5 machines in a busy urban or highway-location store: $2,000–$5,000+ per week
High-volume stores can exceed these numbers, but the ranges above reflect common results.
What Influences Profitability
Foot Traffic
Stores with steady morning and evening visitors perform best.
Game Selection
A balanced mix — skill games + sweepstakes + fish titles — captures different player types.
Payout Settings
Payout percentage must be stable and transparent. Extreme settings often reduce long-term revenue.
Seasonality
Summer evenings and holiday periods typically see more play.
Store Layout
Machines placed near the front, but not directly at the entrance, get the most engagement. Good lighting and visibility matter.
Additional In-Store Purchases
Gaming customers often buy:
- drinks
- snacks
- fast food items
- lottery tickets
- convenience items
Many store owners report that gaming increases total basket size, not just machine revenue.
Setup Requirements for Convenience Stores
You don’t need major renovations. But a few operational elements matter.
Space
A single cabinet needs a footprint similar to a small vending machine. Many stores place machines:
- along a side wall
- near the coffee area
- in a visible corner with seating
Power
Standard power outlets are usually enough. Some fish cabinets need slightly higher load capacity.
Internet
Machines generally require:
- stable Wi-Fi or
- wired internet
Cloud reporting, player account systems, and updates work better on stable connections.
Staff Supervision
Staff must be able to:
- monitor machines
- prevent underage play
- assist customers
- handle payouts where allowed
- maintain simple daily checks
Training usually takes less than a day.
Security
Cameras and obvious visibility discourage misuse and protect cash-handling areas.
Cash-Handling Procedures
If your store uses cash payouts, clear internal rules are essential:
- restricted access to cash drawers
- shift-based reconciliation
- reporting logs
- dual verification for larger transactions
How to Choose the Right Gaming Machines
1. Select Systems with Transparent Payout Logic
Avoid machines where you cannot confirm how outcomes are generated. Transparency builds trust and prevents disputes.
2. Do Not Use No-Name Cabinets with Unknown Software
Unreliable systems cause downtime, player complaints, and compliance risks.
3. Prioritize Stable, Well-Maintained Software
Look for vendors with:
- consistent updates
- remote troubleshooting
- security features
- cloud reporting
- centralized controls
4. Choose Multi-Game Cabinets for Small Stores
If you only have space for one or two terminals, you want as many titles as possible in each machine.
5. Ask About On-Site Support
Installation, initial setup, and periodic maintenance should be handled by experienced technicians.
How Riverslot Fits Into Convenience Store Environments
Riverslot works with stores that need compact, reliable, legally aware gaming systems that fit into everyday retail operations.
Multi-Game Sweepstakes Cabinets
Stores can offer dozens of sweepstakes titles from a single terminal. This maximizes floor use without sacrificing variety.
Skill-Influenced Content + Fish Games
Riverslot supports a mix of games that appeal to different audiences:
- traditional sweepstakes
- skill-influenced titles
- fast-action fish games
This gives stores flexibility depending on what players prefer locally.
Cloud Reporting and Monitoring
Store owners and operators get:
- real-time financial reports
- performance tracking
- player activity insights
- security logs
- remote configuration tools
These features help prevent internal fraud and improve decision-making.
Operational Support
Riverslot provides:
- installation help
- software updates
- hardware compatibility guidance
- troubleshooting
- best-practice recommendations
- long-term system stability
For convenience stores, reliability matters more than flashy features. Riverslot focuses on performance and accountability.
Realistic Examples from Store Environments
Scenario 1: Gas Station with Two Machines
A mid-traffic gas station places two multi-game cabinets beside the beverage cooler. Evening play becomes consistent, especially after 5 PM. Machines bring in steady weekly revenue and increase snack + beverage sales.
Scenario 2: Small Rural Store Using Skill Games
A 1,200 sq. ft. convenience store in a rural area installs primarily skill-based titles. Locals prefer simple, predictable formats. Skill games outperform sweepstakes in this environment.
Scenario 3: Urban Convenience Store Adds a Fish Game Cabinet
A store near a residential block installs a single fish game machine. Younger customers engage with the joystick-style gameplay, creating a small but steady traffic boost, especially on weekends.
Future Trends for 2026
More Small-Format Gaming Setups
Compact, single-operator stations are replacing large standalone cabinets. This trend benefits small retail locations.
Strong Shift Toward Cashless Systems
Many states and operators are pushing for:
- card-based systems
- wallet-based play
- automated payout solutions
This reduces staff workload and improves compliance clarity.
Growing Demand for Skill-Based Content
Younger players prefer interactive, fast-paced formats. Expect more hybrid titles blending skill and chance.
Clearer State-Level Regulations
States continue to refine definitions for skill and sweepstakes models. More clarity generally leads to more stable business environments.
Centralized Cloud Control
Operators want remote management, automated reporting, and tamper-resistant systems. These features are becoming standard.
Final Takeaway
Gaming machines can be a reliable and steady secondary revenue stream for convenience stores — but only when the store chooses proven software, a legally appropriate format, and machines suited to its space and customer base.
Riverslot helps stores do exactly that by offering stable multi-game cabinets, skill-influenced titles, fish games, cloud reporting, and professional support for small retail environments.