Across the United States and the United Kingdom, convenience store and gas station slot machines are rising in popularity. While this trend offers a new revenue stream for businesses looking to diversify their income, a competitive edge, and the potential for more (and new) customers, it also brings risk—from navigating complex security problems and compliance issues to preventing underage gambling.
In this blog, we’ll explore the rise of gas station and convenience store slot machines—often called “gaming rooms”—diving into both the opportunities and challenges they pose to the store owners and operators running them. Plus, you’ll discover the modern security solutions that are helping store owners and operators navigate risks to maintain safe, profitable gaming rooms.
You may be wondering, are convenience store slot machines legal? In short, the answer is that it depends, because regulations vary by jurisdiction.
In the US, each state’s jurisdiction determines whether or not gas station and convenience store slot machines are legal. For example, states like Illinois, Nevada, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Georgia allow gambling in gas station and convenience store establishments. On the other hand, states like Texas and Virginia operate these establishments in a legal grey area, and states like Hawaii and Utah prohibit them entirely—as well as all forms of gambling.
In Canada, slot machines are generally permitted only in licensed venues such as casinos, racetracks, and certain bars or restaurants. Although gaming rooms were popular in some provinces in the past, regulations have tightened over the years, and provincial gaming commissions have slowly phased them out of non-approved venues like gas stations and convenience stores.
Gaming rooms are primarily gaining traction in the United States, transforming gas stations and convenience stores into multi-purpose destinations. In the US, approximately 7,237 slot machines were installed across 112,781 surveyed gas stations, indicating a high rate of integration into everyday locations.
Across the pond, those traveling through the UK are likely to come across a service station with a gaming room. In a 2020 report, there were 85 service stations with VLT machines integrated.
But why are gaming rooms becoming so popular in the first place?
Well, they benefit both customers and shop owners. For customers, these rooms offer a quick and convenient source of entertainment, making routine stops more engaging and providing a way to pass the time. For shop owners, the addition of slot machines creates a lucrative revenue stream, attracts a broader customer base, and differentiates their business from others.
In 2022, a study by the American Gaming Association revealed that Americans wager an estimated $510 billion annually through illegal and unregulated operators. In Canada, 63% of men and 57% of women report spending some money on gambling each month. And in the UK, a 2024 study showed that 48% of over 20,000 people surveyed had participated in gambling within the past four weeks. These statistics demonstrate the demand for gaming across the globe—which begs the question: what do gas station and convenience store establishments stand to gain from implementing these gaming rooms in their facilities?
Here are four key reasons why businesses are increasingly investing in gaming rooms:
By embracing the opportunities that gaming rooms offer, businesses can tap into new revenue streams and attract diverse customers. However, these benefits come with their own set of challenges that must be carefully managed.
While gaming rooms offer significant revenue potential, customer attraction, and competitive differentiation for gas stations and convenience stores, they also bring operational challenges. Below are the most pressing issues owners face and how technology can mitigate them:
Incidents of theft in gaming rooms are on the rise, highlighting the urgent need for better security measures. For instance, in Illinois, five individuals were arrested for stealing from gaming machines across 22 counties, many located in gas stations. Similarly, a man in Mississippi reportedly stole $60,000 worth of gaming equipment from multiple gas stations over just six days.
Technology-controlled access to slot machines can deter theft by capturing and logging individuals’ IDs during each interaction. In the event of a theft, this data allows authorities to quickly identify and track suspects, providing peace of mind for store owners and equipment providers.
Because of incidents of theft and increased foot traffic in the evenings, gaming rooms are often vulnerable to safety risks. Many establishments operate late into the night, attracting a mix of patrons that can lead to higher chances of theft, vandalism, or even violence—leaving many Americans worried about the overall safety of gaming rooms.
To address these challenges, businesses can adopt autonomous technology such as automated ID verification and controlled access systems. These tools help ensure that only verified individuals gain entry to gaming areas, creating a safer environment for customers and staff alike. By maintaining a record of activity and reducing reliance on manual monitoring, these systems deter criminal behavior, minimize risks during late hours, and provide peace of mind to business owners and their teams.
The accessibility of convenience store and gas station slot machines makes them more susceptible to underage gambling compared to heavily regulated casinos. The public nature of these locations and the increasing sophistication of fake IDs can make visual checks by staff insufficient for identifying underage individuals.
According to the director of the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program, 68% of clients seeking help for gambling issues were 18 or younger. Additionally, research from the American Gaming Association reveals that many Americans hold a negative perception of gaming rooms due to their accessibility to minors.
Advanced ID verification technology offers a solution. By reliably identifying and flagging underage individuals, businesses can not only comply with legal requirements but also enhance public trust in their operations.
By integrating robust ID verification and access control systems, gas stations and convenience stores can address these challenges head-on. These tools make gaming rooms safer for customers, reduce risks for owners, and protect the interests of third-party gaming equipment providers.
At Patronscan, we’re leaders in ID verification technology that can help your business manage gaming rooms autonomously. Our IVAC solution verifies the legitimacy of IDs to prevent underage access and deters theft and vandalism by tracking patrons entering the establishment. By partnering with gaming terminal providers that are rolling out gaming rooms across the globe, we offer a streamlined solution that allows owners and operators to attract more customers, boost revenue, and maintain a safe, secure environment for all.
Interested in seeing for yourself? Book a demo today.