PayRange Launches BluKey Smart Cashless Interface For Amusement Machines

PORTLAND, OR -- Slated for debut at the Amusement Expo International in Las Vegas is the BluKey Smart, a cashless payment device for amusement equipment. It provides the same mobile payment functionality as the original BluKey and BluKey Plus devices that were developed by PayRange for vending, but accommodates multiple power inputs and connections for integration with a variety of amusement machine interfaces.

A number of amusement-specific features have been integrated into BluKey Smart. These include the ability to accept a wide range of power inputs: AC or DC, and voltages as low as 5V. (through a mini USB connector) to as high as 240V. (from a high-voltage AC supply). The new BluKey Smart device also includes several ways to connect to the machine to register payment, allowing amusement operators the flexibility to add the PayRange system to all of their equipment, regardless of type.

"Amusement operators run a wide variety of equipment; everything from decades old classic arcade games to brand-new pinball machines, redemption games, skill cranes, kiddie rides, photobooths, darts, air hockey and more," said PayRange founder and chief executive Paresh Patel, a former vending and amusement operator. "It was important that PayRange design a device that would bring the convenience of mobile payment to these operators in a flexible package, so they can self-install on all of their equipment. With BluKey Smart, we now have a robust device covering all of the bases for amusement operators."

PayRange is also launching multi-credit ("bonus") pricing, which enables an operator to offer a discount on multiple plays if paid for all at once -- for instance, a game might be priced at 50¢ a play or three plays for $1. This feature is configurable by the operator through the PayRange Web-management console, and can be changed at any time. Multi-credit pricing is available on some games as a factory-configurable option, but this sales-boosting feature is now available on every game when the user pays with the PayRange app.

In addition, a dynamic-pricing feature is being launched at the Amusement Expo. This allows an operator to set prices based on predetermined schedules, such as happy-hour pricing. Like multi-credit, dynamic pricing allows an operator to change mobile payment pricing schedules remotely without the need to visit the machine. Multi-credit and dynamic pricing are available for pulse machines only; those features are not supported by Multi-Drop Bus (MDB) vending machines.

PayRange states that, for the first time ever, amusement operators also have the ability to get real-time analytics on their equipment in the field. Using the PayRange app in "operator mode," they can view daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sales information, all updated hourly. In addition, insightful data such as lifetime mobile sales, number of active devices and average sales per user are available.

Operators who install PayRange on their equipment also receive deposits of mobile sales automatically via weekly ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers, something almost unheard-of in an industry traditionally dominated by quarters.

PayRange was founded in 2013 by Paresh Patel to provide operators and consumers with the simplest, most accessible mobile payment solution possible. The company presently markets its BluKey devices to operators in the U.S. and Canada.