What is this "Oscar" machine?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve heard radio ads several times over the past few years for a device called “Oscar”. It’s marketed as some sort of vending device that rakes in money like an ATM. The narrator doesn’t describe exactly what it does or what kind of product it might vend, but apparently it is “sweeping Europe, Ireland, and Canada”. It costs about $4,000 each. I’ve looked on the internet for more information, but I have stopped short of actually calling the unidentified company and requesting the free video. (Who knows what trouble that might bring?)

What is the Oscar machine?

2

Well, based on this picture

http://www.econovend.com/usedimages/oscar.jpeg

it looks like a really, really elaborate gumball machine.

3

Wow. How utterly disappointing. Some things are better left a mystery, I suppose. I was expecting lasers or soothing elixirs or something. Gumballs, indeed!

Thanks, Wumpus!

4

Darlings, luvvies, this Oscar isn’t just for me, it’s for all of you, I’d like to thank my agent, my mother and especially Google

5

I give it eighteen months before somebody gets busted for turning one of these things into a crack dispenser.