ELAUT Group

What ELAUT Group does

ELAUT Group is a privately held, family-owned designer and manufacturer of coin-operated amusement games headquartered in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. Founded in 1957 by Achiel Verstraeten as a radio/television repair shop, the company pivoted to amusement games in 1959 and built its identity around electromechanical claw cranes — notably the Good Luck Crane introduced in 1978 — before expanding into coin pushers (Mistral, Wizard of Oz, Ticket Circus) and skill-based redemption machines. The group is organized under three complementary brands: ELAUT (premium cranes, coin pushers, branded IP games such as Creative Claw and the Smurfs line), Benchmark Games International (skill-based redemption games and self-contained merchandise machines), and Coast to Coast Entertainment (value-tier claw machines including the ShopZone and Fun Zone families). Manufacturing and engineering operate from Sint-Niklaas and Benchmark's South Florida facility, supported by regional offices in Lake Worth (USA), Lorsch (Germany), and Lleida (Spain), and a global distributor network of 20+ named partners across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

The company's product platform combines proprietary electromechanical hardware with the E-CLAUT web application, which enables remote configuration of machine visuals, error notifications, and player/prize behavior analytics across the installed base. Hardware revenues (new machine sales to Family Entertainment Centers, route operators, and amusement parks) are complemented by spare parts (sold through brand-specific e-commerce storefronts), licensed IP games (Smurfs, Superman, football/soccer themes), and — in Europe — direct operation of amusement concessions in parks, zoos, and roadside attractions. Pricing is quote-based B2B with no public list price; transactions are processed through direct sales teams or regional distributors, with a 1-year guarantee on new goods.

Go-to-market is a hybrid of channel partnerships (the dominant motion) and event-led sales through major industry trade shows (IAAPA Orlando, IAAPA Middle East, Bowl Expo), supplemented by LinkedIn, YouTube, and email newsletter marketing. The customer base of 1,200+ spans premium FECs (Family Entertainment Group, Funhouse Group of Companies), long-tail route operators, and global distributors (Betson in the US under an exclusive 40+ year partnership; United Distributing Company in the UK; Global Fun Partners in Spain; Zax Amusements in Australia; Amusement Services Int. in the UAE). Leadership transitioned to second-generation Verstraeten family management in 1996, and the company has remained independent without external private equity or venture capital funding.

Name

ELAUT Group

Legal name

Elaut NV

Website

https://elaut-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ELAUT Group is a family-owned Belgian manufacturer of coin-operated claw cranes, coin pushers, and skill-based redemption games, serving Family Entertainment Centers and amusement operators across three brands (ELAUT, Benchmark Games International, Coast to Coast Entertainment) via a global distributor network and direct regional sales offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coin-Operated Amusement Machines

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (71312), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Amusement Arcades (713120)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Amusement/Redemption Arcade Machines (Ticket & Prize) (MPAEAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coin-Operated Entertainment (Pinball, Crane/Claw, Jukebox, Darts/Billiards) (MPAEAJAF), Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play) (THAAAAAD)

Keywords

• Coin-operated amusement machines
• Claw crane machines
• Coin pusher games
• Redemption game machines
• Family entertainment equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Sint-niklaas

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Amusement Machine Hardware Sales: ELAUT Group designs, manufactures, and sells electromechanical amusement machines (claw cranes, coin pushers, redemption games) to Family Entertainment Centers and operators worldwide. Products are sold through direct sales teams in regional offices and through a global distributor network.
2. Spare Parts Sales: The company generates revenue from selling spare parts for its amusement machines. Spare parts are available for purchase online or by contacting spare parts teams in EU/rest of world and USA/South America.
3. Game Operations and Concessions: In Europe, ELAUT operates and holds concessions for amusement games and related equipment, including remote-controlled truck and boat attractions, traditional amusement game stands and arcades in amusement parks, zoos, roadside attractions, and museums. This represents a managed services / operator model.
4. Licensing of Branded Games and Themes: The company develops licensed themed games such as Smurfs Goal Champs Soccer, Superman-themed redemption games, and Creative Claw with branded MrClaw mascot, indicating revenue from intellectual property licensing arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ELAUT Group designs, manufactures, and sells electromechanical coin-operated amusement machines — primarily claw cranes, coin pushers, and redemption games — to Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) and route operators worldwide through its three brands (ELAUT, Benchmark Games International, Coast to Coast Entertainment). In Europe, the group also directly operates and holds concessions for amusement games at theme parks, zoos, and museums, and sells spare parts through online storefronts. The proprietary E-CLAUT web platform provides remote management of deployed machines.

Product overview

ELAUT Group offers a portfolio of amusement games under three complementary brands: ELAUT (premium claw cranes and coin pushers), Benchmark Games International (skill-based redemption games), and Coast to Coast Entertainment (value-priced high-end games). Core products include the E-Claw and Big One crane lines, closed-loop coin pushers like Ticket Circus, Mistral, and Wizard of Oz, and branded machines such as Creative Claw and Smurfs Pusher. Benchmark Games International specializes in skill-based redemption games and prize merchandisers. Coast to Coast Entertainment provides the ShopZone and Fun Zone claw machine families. The portfolio is managed through the proprietary E-CLAUT remote management web application.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Benchmark Games International: Premier manufacturer of fun and skill-based games in coin-operated redemption games, novelty, prize merchandisers and other amusement devices; developer of prize and ticket solutions for unattended redemption locations. Part of ELAUT Group since 2014.
• Coast to Coast Entertainment

Products and services

• E-Claw (including E-Claw 2.0) Flagship premium claw machine line from ELAUT; consistently among the highest-earning games for FEC operators, with remote management via the E-CLAUT platform.
• Big One Renowned premium claw machine from ELAUT, part of the premium crane lineup alongside the 600 series.
• 600 Series Cranes ELAUT crane series; the 600 series consistently ranks among the highest earning games according to customer testimonials.
• Creative Claw Branded 1-player claw machine featuring the MrClaw mascot, a 32-inch interactive display with video animation, and a lower-positioned control panel for smaller players.
• Ticket Circus Closed-loop coin pusher game that is part of ELAUT's pusher ticket game portfolio.
• Mistral First coin pusher launched by ELAUT in 2012.
• Wizard of Oz Coin pusher launched in 2012 alongside Mistral.
• Smurfs Pusher Coin pusher featuring the Smurfs IP, offering collectible cards and mini figurines as prizes along with ticket rewards; consistently ranks among top-performing pushers across multiple locations.
• Smurfs Goal Champs Soccer Soccer-themed redemption game featuring the Smurfs license, combining competitive gameplay with a licensed theme for repeat plays; demonstrated real-world performance of $8,708 over 11 weeks at one US location.
• Fun Zone Series Claw machine series under Coast to Coast Entertainment that generates substantial cash box collection and strong ROI while ensuring repeat player engagement.
• ShopZone Family Family of five claw machine models under Coast to Coast Entertainment, designed for reliable, easy operation and servicing with consistent performance.
• Benchmark Games International Products Premier manufacturer of fun and skill-based redemption games, novelty games, prize merchandisers, and self-contained merchandise machines; developer of prize and ticket solutions for unattended redemption locations.
• E-CLAUT Remote Management Platform Web application enabling operators to remotely control machine settings, run actions, change colors and videos, receive error/warning notifications, and analyze prize and player behavior data on deployed ELAUT machines.
• Game Operations and Concessions Direct operation of amusement games and concessions in European amusement parks, zoos, theme parks, roadside attractions, and museums, including remote-controlled truck and boat attractions.
• Spare Parts Spare parts for ELAUT, Benchmark Games International, and Coast to Coast Entertainment amusement machines, available for purchase online or via direct contact with regional spare parts teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Smurfs Goal Champs Soccer generated $8,708 over 11 weeks ($792/week average; $1,476 peak week) in a US location — demonstrating strong revenue performance on the floor
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Benchmark Games InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ELAUT Group acquired Benchmark Games International in 2017, one of the industry's leaders in exceptional, entertaining, high-profit Redemption Games and Self-Contained Merchandise Machines. Part of the ELAUT Group since 2014. Employs approximately 100 people at its South Florida headquarters.
• Coast to Coast EntertainmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015ELAUT Group acquired Coast to Coast Entertainment LLC in 2015, expanding its USA business. Coast to Coast provides high-end coin-operated amusement games (claw machines including Fun Zone series and ShopZone family) at value pricing for operators.
• EuropaParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014EuropaPark is mentioned as a customer location where a Service Technician Electronics role will be based (alternating between EuropaPark in Rust and the Lorsch office in Germany). The partnership includes unlimited park entry for employees as a benefit.
• American Vending ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Elk Grove Village, IL, serving the coin-op amusement market.
• Global AmusementscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Saint Augustine, Florida, specializing in coin-operated amusement equipment.
• Deith DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Port Washington, NY, with long-standing relationship in the amusement industry.
• BetsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based exclusive distributor for ELAUT crane and pusher products (Big Choice banner) for over 40 years, starting from 1984. Relationship began with founder Achiel Verstraeten in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
• Gold Coast InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Great Neck, NY, serving the amusement game market.
• Planet ArcadecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-country distributor serving USA, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico markets from a flexible office structure.
• Moss DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor serving Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, and Bloomington, MN.
• Legacy CoinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Myrtle Beach, SC, serving the southeast market.
• Player 1 Amusement GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian distributor based in Mississauga, Ontario, serving the Canadian amusement market.
• Shaffer DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor based in Columbus, OH, serving the Midwest amusement market.
• Big OnecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian distributor based in Eisenstadt, serving the Austrian market.
• GRIMALDI SYSTEMESminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench distributor based in Falaise, France, serving the local amusement and vending market.
• Game CastlecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch distributor based in Rijen, Netherlands, serving the Benelux amusement market.
• Golden EggminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCzech Republic distributor based in Karviná, serving the Czech and wider Central European market.
• RENE PIERREminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench distributor based in Chalon-Sur-Saône, serving the French amusement market.
• Arcade BeeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolish distributor based in Debowiec, serving the Polish and Eastern European market.
• ELMACcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian distributor based in Rubano (PD), serving the Italian amusement market.
• Gack Spiel und FreizeitgeratecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman distributor based in Bad Bentheim, serving the German amusement and leisure market.
• Rom BowlingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRomanian distributor based in Brasov, serving the Romanian and Eastern European market.
• United Distributing CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor based in London, with a long-standing relationship with ELAUT Group characterized by trust, reliability, and shared passion for the industry.
• Idea Vending B.V.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch distributor based in Amersfoort, Netherlands, serving the Benelux vending and amusement market.
• Global Fun PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish distributor based in Lloret de Mar (Gerona), serving the Spanish and wider European market. Characterized as a reliable, communicative, and serious partner with strong relationship quality.
• Zax Amusements Pty LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian distributor based in Springvale, Victoria, serving the Australian and Asia Pacific amusement market.
• Amusement Services Int. LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUAE-based distributor in Dubai, serving the Middle East amusement and entertainment market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coastal Amusements: US-based manufacturer of coin-operated amusement games including cranes, coin pushers, and redemption games. Directly comparable to ELAUT in product category, target market (FECs and arcades), and distribution model through US distributors.
• Andamiro Co., Ltd. Korean manufacturer of coin pushers, basketball games, and redemption arcade machines. A leading competitor in the coin pusher category directly competing with ELAUT's Mistral, Wizard of Oz, and Ticket Circus products globally.
• Bay Tek Games: US-based manufacturer of redemption games, arcade games, and ticket games for FECs and amusement venues. Sibling brand to Benchmark Games International under the ELAUT Group, comparable in product focus and customer base.
• UNIS Technology: Chinese manufacturer of coin-operated amusement machines including crane machines, pushers, and redemption games. Competes with ELAUT on price and product breadth across global markets.
• Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE): US manufacturer of redemption and amusement games including ticket games and sports-based arcade machines. Competes directly with Benchmark Games International and ELAUT in the FEC market.
• LAI Games: Australian manufacturer and operator of coin-operated amusement games including crane machines and prize merchandisers. Directly comparable to ELAUT in product category and global distribution model, with strong Asia Pacific presence.

Broad incumbents

• Sega Amusements International: Subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings manufacturing and distributing coin-operated amusement machines globally. A broader incumbent in the amusement industry with wider product portfolio and significantly larger scale than ELAUT.
• Bandai Namco Amusement: Major Japanese amusement machine manufacturer and FEC operator with global presence. A broad incumbent in the amusement industry offering arcade games, prize machines, and FEC services with significantly greater scale and resources.

Emerging players

• Adrenaline Amusements: US-based manufacturer of coin-operated amusement games focused on redemption and skill-based games. An emerging player with product overlap in the FEC segment, particularly competing with Coast to Coast and Benchmark brands.

Regional players

• Stern Pinball: US-based manufacturer of pinball machines primarily serving the US market. Comparable in business model (coin-operated amusement equipment manufacturing) and target customers (FECs and collectors), but focused on a different product category (pinball vs. cranes/pushers).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elaut-group
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elaut-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ELAUT Group