From prize analytics and cashless payments to cloud-connected remote controls and filed patents — CandyMachines has been quietly building the technology stack that defines the modern amusement vending operator.
We are operators first. Every technology we have built, integrated, or brought to market started with a real problem faced by real route operators — and a conviction that the industry deserved better tools.
From industry awards to patents and platform launches — every milestone below reflects a sustained commitment to building better machines and better tools for the operators who run them.
Developed an integrated prize reporting harness leveraging a pulse-based credit card reader. In collaboration with Nayax, we connected prize and game sensors to collect rich performance data — giving operators for the first time a window into exactly how their machines were performing, all accessible via a mobile app.
The CandyMachines Super Mini was named Machine of the Year by the National Bulk Vendors Association — the industry's leading trade recognition for product excellence and operator value.
The Super Mini earned back-to-back Machine of the Year recognition from the NBVA — a rare repeat win that cemented it as one of the most impactful machines in the modern bulk vending category.
The Super Mini Duo was named Machine of the Year by the NBVA — extending the award-winning Super Mini platform into a dual-column format that doubled operator revenue potential without adding footprint.
Acquired SmartClaw.app, a purpose-built route management application for claw machine operators. SmartClaw became the operational software platform for CandyMachines customers — giving operators a single place to manage machines, monitor performance, and run their routes more efficiently.
The Mini Extreme was named Machine of the Year by the NBVA — marking four Machine of the Year wins across four years and three distinct products, a track record unmatched in the bulk vending industry.
Worked directly with Cantaloupe to bring their pulse-based credit card reader into full compatibility with the CandyMachines prize reporting harness and quick-connect system. Operators using Cantaloupe hardware could now benefit from the same rich analytics and prize reporting previously exclusive to Nayax-equipped machines.
Launched support for ArcadePay, the industry's first QR code-based credit card reader for amusement machines. By eliminating the need for physical card swipes or taps, ArcadePay opened a simpler, lower-hardware-cost path to cashless payments — and extended the CandyMachines payment ecosystem to operators who needed a more flexible, affordable option.
Filed a patent covering remote notification technology for prize lockers — enabling operators and players to receive real-time alerts tied to prize dispensing events. This lays the groundwork for a new category of connected prize experiences that extend engagement beyond the machine itself.
Filed a patent on the remote operation of a claw machine — covering the systems and methods that allow an operator or authorized user to control a claw machine's functions from a remote location via software. A foundational IP asset for the next generation of connected, cloud-managed amusement equipment.
Launched SmartClaw Version 2, integrating the Nayax API and introducing cloud-based remote operational controls for claw machines. Operators can now monitor, adjust, and manage machines remotely — in real time — from any device. SmartClaw v2 represents the convergence of years of analytics work, payment integrations, and remote control IP into a single, unified operator platform.
In 2026, Family Fun & Games filed its first patents — formalizing the innovations our team has been building and deploying for years.
Systems and methods for delivering real-time remote notifications tied to prize locker events — enabling operators and players to receive alerts when prizes are dispensed, claimed, or require attention, without being physically present at the machine.
Systems and methods enabling the remote control and operation of a claw machine via cloud-connected software — covering the hardware interfaces, communication protocols, and control logic that make real-time remote operation possible at scale.
SmartClaw is the route management platform that ties together everything we've built — analytics, cashless payment data, remote controls, and performance insights — in a single mobile-first app built specifically for the amusement vending operator.
Version 2 represents a major leap forward: live Nayax API integration brings real-time cashless revenue data directly into the platform, while cloud-based remote operational controls let operators adjust machine settings, run diagnostics, and respond to issues without rolling a truck.
Our integrations go deeper than plug-and-play. We work directly with our technology partners to extend what's possible for the operator.
Our longest-standing technology partner. Since 2020, we have worked with Nayax to connect prize sensors, game sensors, and cashless payment data into a unified analytics stream. SmartClaw v2 now integrates the Nayax API directly, bringing live revenue data into the operator dashboard in real time.
In 2025 we worked directly with the Cantaloupe team to bring their pulse-based credit card reader into full compatibility with the CandyMachines prize reporting harness and quick-connect system — expanding our analytics capabilities to a broader base of operators using Cantaloupe hardware in the field.
The industry's first QR code-based credit card reader for amusement machines. We were first-to-market in supporting ArcadePay — giving operators a simpler, hardware-light path to cashless payments and extending the reach of the CandyMachines payment ecosystem to machines and locations where traditional readers weren't practical.
We are building the technology infrastructure for the amusement vending industry — one integration, one patent, one platform release at a time. If you are a technology company, hardware manufacturer, or payment provider who wants to work with us, we want to hear from you.