Georgia still has no access to expanded gambling other than the Georgia Lottery. To quell the thirst for wagering, there is a vast amount of coin operated amusement machines around the state.
And now, there is a new player in The Peach State. Bravery Gaming and Konami Gaming have partnered to bring new games to the state.
The objective of this new partnership is to leverage the vast market of coin operated amusement machines by introducing enhanced games to various locations throughout the state.
Konami will make COAMs while Bravery will distribute them
Georgia has no commercial casinos despite sporting more than 10 million residents. Likewise, Georgia online casinos are nonexistent. However, online sweepstakes casinos are legal in the state. They offer prizes that can be exchanged for real money.
Bravery Gaming is a Georgia-based company with its headquarters in Duluth. Because of that, Bravery has a thorough understanding of the Georgia gaming market. Additionally, Bravery operates in coin operated amusement machine (COAM) and lottery markets across the country, giving them even more experience in the industry.
Konami has decades of game manufacturing experience, producing iconic games like Contra and Metal Gear Solid. Bravery’s collaboration with Konami could be a significant move when their COAMs are released.
Konami will provide the games, while Bravery will be its exclusive distributor in regulated non-casino markets. The first market for this collaboration will be in Georgia, with others to follow.
Company chiefs see partnership as win-win
President of Bravery Gaming Matt Reback is excited about the new partnership.
“We are excited to announce our collaboration with Konami Gaming, a renowned industry leader known for their impressive collection of successful games. This partnership not only reflects Bravery’s dedication to providing exceptional gaming experiences but also showcases our commitment to expanding the availability of our entertainment products in different regulated markets.”
President and Chief Executive Officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. Steve Sutherland also spoke on the collaboration between Konami and Bravery and the hopes he has for the group effort in Georgia.
“We have a strong dedication to expanding the availability of our products in regulated markets worldwide. After extensive search, we chose Bravery as our partner due to their unwavering integrity, forward-thinking vision, and exceptional commitment to product quality. With their assistance, we are poised to enter and thrive in the flourishing Georgia COAM market.”
Not all COAMS are the same
The absence of casino gambling or sports wagering in Georgia limits the options available for satisfying one’s gambling desires. While the Georgia Lottery is a well-known choice, another increasingly popular alternative is COAMs, which have gained significant popularity.
These machines generate billions of dollars each year, and the licensing fees paid to the state are substantial.
Georgia law has defined COAMs in its own terms.
“Any machine, regardless of type or nature, that is accessible to the public and used for amusement or entertainment. Its operation involves the payment or insertion of currency, tokens, tickets, cards, or similar objects. The outcome of the machine’s operation is influenced by the player’s skill, regardless of whether it grants a reward to a successful player.”
COAMs, in essence, are machines designed to provide entertainment by accepting money, typically in the form of coins, without offering any tangible rewards. These machines include jukeboxes, pinball machines, claw machines, pool tables, and various other recreational activities where the enjoyment is derived from participating in the activity itself. Such machines, known as Class A COAMs, do not provide any actual prizes.
Konami-Bravery will produce and distribute Class B COAMs
In Georgia, there exists a distinct type of COAM categorized as Class B, encompassing various games of skill with different prizes available. The recent collaboration between Konami and Bravery is specifically targeting this particular category of COAM.
Only certain prizes are allowed to be awarded with Class B COAMs.
- Beverages
- Food
- Fuel
- Lottery tickets
- In-store gift cards and gift certificates
- Store merchandise
- Toys
There are some prizes that are outlawed in The Peach State.
- Cash
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Firearms
- Payment of utilities
- Gift cards to other stores
Class B COAMs are usually located in gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants and bars among other places. They are not slot machines. They must be games of skill to be legal in the eyes of the state. There are nearly 25,000 Class B COAMs in Georgia.
