Friday, November 22, 2024–9:45 a.m.
-Rome News-Tribune-
Several ding ding machines have been added to the shopping experience ambiance that is the Rome Kroger, but it’s not just a local push. It’s a statewide move by the company.
A not-so-quick look at the 27 pages of businesses granted Class B COAM (coin-operated amusement machine — the official term for ding dings) licenses yielded some pay dirt. Rome’s Kroger was among the 60 to 70 Kroger locations in the state.
Not that we actually needed to check; they’re already installed at the Rome location just behind the deli and Starbucks area. Brand new too.
And they’re doing it all across the state. Taking a look at the 2025 Class B gaming machines approval list for the Georgia Lottery — Kroger stores across the state are approved.
That very topic came up earlier this week in a discussion about legislative priorities for the city and county.
Several city commissioners were very vocal about their desire to eliminate the ding dings from as many locations as possible, but looking through that same Georgia Lottery report… that’s like scratching poison ivy. You get a little relief for a minute but it’s coming on stronger in the next wave.
Local control of the lottery-regulated gaming machines has been a huge Georgia Municipal Association priority. Local governments have been complaining about the ding-ding proliferation, but the lobby (and money behind that lobby) is way too strong under the gold dome in Atlanta.
Photo by John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-