Abstract: An energy conservation method and/or mechanism for gaming, arcade, vending, transaction, and/or kiosk machines. Gaming, arcade, or vending machines equipped with the energy conservation mechanism remain in a FULL POWER mode when credits remain on the machines. When credits are at zero for a predetermined amount of time, the gaming, arcade, or vending machines automatically go into a LOW ENERGY mode. Using credits to determine the energy mode of the gaming, arcade, or vending machines prevents possible problems such as loss of credits to the user, due to the machine going into the LOW ENERGY mode. Transaction or kiosk machines return to the FULL POWER mode when the monetary value is sensed or detected. The transaction and kiosk machines return to the LOW ENERGY mode when monetary value is not detected for a predetermined period of time.