ATM machines to offer games

THE OGAKI Kyoritsu Bank, in Japan, is to introduce slot games that run while the cash machines process transactions.

While you collect your cash you can try and play a simple game trying to line up three sevens with a stop button. If you win you will become the proud new owner of (US) 90 cents which will buy you a small pebble in Japan, or cancel the customary fee for using the machine outside regular hours.

If you hit the ‘jackpot' you could win a whole nine dollars which would probably not even buy you a bowl of chips in a Japanese fast food take-away. Despite the lack-lustre prizes, the Bank claims the move will add a degree of suspense to getting your money out.

Going to a bank machine is always tense enough, particularly if you are never sure if you spent the last of the grocery money on beer last night. More here. µ