A coin pusher, sometimes called a quarter pusher or simply a pusher, is an arcade game of chance and skill . The basic mechanism involves:
- A Moving Platform: Coins (or tokens) are placed on a platform that moves back and forth.
- Player Contribution: Players insert their own coins into a slot at the top of the machine, which then drop onto the moving platform.
- Pushing Action: As the platform moves forward, it pushes the coins already on the platform, and ideally, the newly added coin pushes existing coins towards an edge or overhang.
- Winning Coins/Prizes: The goal is to get coins to fall off the edge into a payout chute at the bottom, which players can collect as winnings.
- Side Slots/Profit: Coin pusher machines typically include narrow slots or holes on the sides of the playing field. Any coins that fall into these slots are considered profit for the machine owner.
- Prizes: In addition to coins, some pushers feature prizes like toys, collectibles, or even cash placed on the coin bed, which can also be won if they are pushed off the edge.
- Modern Pushers: Modern coin pushers often recycle the coins that fall off the playing field back to the top of the machine, rather than having players collect physical coins. These machines may also feature automatic prize dispensers for things like trading cards or tokens.
While coin pushers involve an element of chance, players can employ strategies like aiming coins strategically or only playing when a significant amount of coins are already close to the edge to improve their chances of winning.
Why are coin pushers illegal?
From my experience, Although some people consider coin pushers a harmless game, many states have laws that prohibit the use of coin pushers because they appear to encourage gambling. In most countries, it is illegal to use cash prizes as a reward, with most using tickets or tokens instead.
Do any casinos have coin pushers?
Normally no, but if the casino has an arcade, its possible. I have seen other versions of them that are rigged more like a gaming machine but few exist anymore outside of novelty casinos. Most casinos don’t have any coin operated machines at all anymore.