Vending

Pentagon food court hosts Pokémon vending machine

Photo: wachiwit - stock.adobe.com

January 23, 2026

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A collectible vending machine operated by Lucky Box Vending has appeared in the Pentagon food court, according to a 404 Media report, offering visitors the chance to win rare Pokémon cards and sports memorabilia through a randomized purchase.

The machine allows users to pay for a chance at a high-value item, including a Surging Sparks Pikachu EX card valued at up to $840.

Lucky Box machines dispense random collectibles after customers select a general category, such as Pokémon cards, sports cards, or jerseys, and pay a fee that typically ranges from $100 to $200 per attempt. While the company promotes the presence of a few highly valuable "holy grail" items in each machine, most prizes are worth only a few dollars. The Pentagon machine featured imagery of an extremely rare Charizard card valued at more than $100,000, but the odds of winning such items are low.

These vending machines are common in shopping malls and entertainment districts, particularly in places such as Las Vegas, and resemble gambling devices that have long been popular in Japan and other parts of Asia. Their spread in the U.S. has accelerated in recent years, driven by relaxed gambling regulations and renewed interest in collectible culture.

The presence of the machine inside the Pentagon has drawn attention and criticism online, especially after photos circulated on military-focused social media forums. Although Lucky Box removed the Pentagon from its public listings following media coverage, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the machine remains installed.

Vending