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With a new Milledgeville Publix poised to open in several months, Kroger apparently has made a countermove – video slot machines.
A row of coin operated amusement machines (COAMs) made its debut at the Milledgeville supermarket earlier this month, similar to the ones in small "tobacco stores" and "food stores" around Milledgeville.
It happened casually and without fanfare, and the extent of Kroger's plan isn't known. The company made no announcement, and there's nothing on Kroger's press page or social media pages. Apparently, a few also have popped up around metro Atlanta, "giving off corner store vibes."
The machines in Milledgeville are located near the Starbucks and the bakery/deli. Removed were the lounge chairs previously sitting in front of the store windows.
Earlier this week, a man at the Milledgeville Kroger was all smiles, sitting at a machine and admiring his $400 balance. He was holding a large and square-shaped plastic card.
"They load (the winnings) straight onto this Visa card at the front desk," the man said. "Some stores still pay off in cash, but it doesn't really matter anymore, because you can buy anything on these cards."
Flanking the machines are several rows of pre-paid Kroger Players Cards and Georgia Lottery COAM Cards for purchase.
The General Assembly last month approved House Bill 353, according to an article from the Capitol Beat News Service. The new bill awards "non-cash redemption gift cards to winners that could be redeemed anywhere in Georgia for any legal product." Added the article: "Current law allows COAM winners to redeem their prizes only for merchandise sold in the store where the machine they played is located."
The Kroger corporation apparently is on a gambling kick, recently installing a series of "sports betting kiosks" at stores around Ohio...
Everything sounded so lovely until the end.
“We tried”
If that’s not disheartening idk what is. I feel the need to quote my mom here. “I can’t have nothin nice”. Wiser words were never said.
Oh! And for gods sake STAY HYDRATED if you want to save on hospital bills. I hate summer.
Member when the river was fun and didn’t get angry and take lives? You could float down hopefully by sunset with only burnt skin that was a problem for later you? Member when your biggest fear were all the scary gar lingering about?
Partly Cloudy , with a high of 90 and low of 72 degrees. Partly Cloudy for the morning, clear overnight.
loving that suit! That hippie has style and wears it well.
I member hearing about this. So incredibly sad. The lady I spoke with couldn’t have spoken higher of the man he was.
"unless someone wishes to make some sort of far-flung statement about their dissatisfaction with both major political parties" omg! YES PLEASE! There's no choices, and they will never allow an independent a fighting chance. Other countries have multiple candidates to choose from.
Any reason why the sheriff rarely makes a statements its alway another Deputy isn’t the sheriff, the elected official in our county?