Nina Juan

A changing global economy is reshaping the arcade industry. At Palm Fun, we see these shifts not just as challenges to overcome — but as signals of where the industry needs to evolve next.

A successful family entertainment center needs more than a room full of machines. Children, teenagers, adults, and families visit with different expectations—and a well-planned game mix gives each group a reason to play, stay, and return.

This piece is an editorial digest prepared by Palm Fun Electronics for the benefit of our readers, based on the original reporting "The key to operating a successful redemption arcade" by Thomas Dodds, published by Amusements & Attractions on 29 July 2026. Quotes are reproduced from the original article with American English spelling applied and wording otherwise unchanged, and are credited to their speakers and originating organizations. The full original article is available at amusementsandattractions.com. The commentary, framing and practical guidance below are our own.

IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, recently published its outlook on which family entertainment center (FEC) trends will last into 2027—and which will fade. If 2026 taught operators anything, it is that "more" isn't necessarily better: guests have become more selective, and operators are being pushed to look harder at experience, value, labor, and revenue per square foot.

We have summarized the trends IAAPA expects to stay, the ones heading for the exit, and—from our side of the industry—what each one means for the arcade and redemption zone of your venue.

Cashless has overtaken cash among UK arcade visitors for the first time. The question for operators is no longer whether to move — it is how fast, and what to do with the machines already standing on your floor.

From "What Is This?" to "I Get It": Arcade Games Through a Newcomer's Eyes