Selling Pokémon cards through vending machines is becoming a smart move for collectors, shop owners, and even hobbyists. But can these machines really bring in profit? Let’s break it down—with real numbers and real examples.
Why So Many People Are Doing This
Pokémon cards continue to be wildly popular. People love the thrill of pulling a rare card, and they’re willing to pay for the experience. A vending machine brings this fun into places fans already go—milk tea shops, toy stores, or gaming cafés.
For businesses, it’s a fun way to offer something new. For side hustlers, it’s a low-barrier way to test the waters.
How Do You Make Money?
Let’s look at an actual example:
You buy a bulk pack of 800 Pokémon cards (including two rare cards) for around $40. That’s $0.05 per card.
Now, you load the vending machine with these cards. Customers pay $0.50 to $1 per draw. Even if you sell just 500 of them at $0.50 each, that’s $250 in revenue—over 6x your cost.
The margin is real. And if you include chances to win a rare or shiny card, people are more likely to buy multiple times in one visit.
Real Business Cases
In the U.S., one of our clients placed a machine in their milk tea store. To drive engagement, they ran a small promo: “Draw a card and get a free drink if you find the lucky one.” Card sales spiked, and so did drink sales.
In Italy, a card shop set a Pokémon vending machine right at their entrance. In just two weeks, they sold over €4,000 worth of Pokémon cards. It brought in new customers and helped boost their in-store purchases too.
Where Should You Put a Pokémon Vending Machine?
The machine works best in:
Game shops
Toy stores
Dessert or milk tea shops
Shopping centers
Events and conventions
Areas near schools
The key is foot traffic and a crowd that already loves Pokémon.
Final Thought
Pokémon vending machines don’t just look cool—they help you turn fun into income. Whether you’re running a store or just starting a small business, this is a low-cost, high-margin way to get involved in the TCG world.
Want to try it?
Check out our Pokémon vending machine options or contact us to learn more.
