In the 1990\u2019s pinball machines were peaking in terms of interest and the amount of money they were making. This led to many new machines being built in arcades across the world. Today making money with a pinball machine isn\u2019t like it used to be, but you can still make money with a pinball machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pinball machines can make anywhere from $40 to $60 or more per week, while some average at between $150 and $200 per month. Some arcade owners charge by the hour, leading to figures of around $8-10 per hour of playing, but it really depends on location and the machine itself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While there is no doubt that a pinball machine is not going to make as much money now as it once would, they are still moneymakers in their own right. This article will explore the reasons behind the earnings changes, and some alternative ways to make money with pinball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although home video game consoles were around in the 1970s, it wasn\u2019t until the 1990s that they stated appearing in more homes. With the rise of the Sega Genesis<\/strong> series, and the PlayStation One<\/strong> being released in 1995, arcades were still a hotbed until this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost all local bowling alleys had supplied pinball machines for their customers, and this was a popular choice for teens on Friday nights. But since the 90s, pinball has been on a pretty constant decline<\/strong>, and the suffering industry had closed many manufacturers\u2019 doors. The last man standing in the manufacturing industry was Stern by the year 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But luckily today we have more companies crawling out of the woodworks to supply a new demand for pinball machines. This could be a positive indication that pinball machines have made a comeback<\/strong> in recent years. But regardless, they are still not as profitable as they once were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortune magazine has stated in 2013 that the remaining 63,000 machines in commercial areas are making an average of $63 per week<\/strong>. Some more recent forums refer to a number of around $150-$200 a month<\/strong>, so there is clearly a lot of variance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More recently the Play Meter State of Industry report has shown that in 2015 (the latest report) the average weekly earnings were around $44<\/strong>. The report also showed that the gross revenue has been on a slight rise from $31 in 2011<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With 18,000 pinball machines<\/strong> in various locations and a total of 166,760 pieces of arcade equipment<\/strong> still in use, feedback from owners has led to an optimistic outlook on the state of arcade games, including pinball, as a whole. Another alternative from an arcade owner in New Jersey has been to charge an hourly fee for all machines in their venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ken Kalada, owner of Yestercades, told ABC that he charges $8.75 per hour<\/strong> for all and any of the machines the gamer wants to play. This may also affect the way that new stats would show an average machine\u2019s gross income. This is because it would be hard to tell if someone was playing pinball or Pacman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the troubles of owning a pinball machine include maintenance costs, alongside the initial outlay for the machine itself. You will also need to get a license if you plan to use it to make money on location, which can take time and cost even more money as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be able to cover the cost associated with the machine itself, but it will be anywhere around $500 to $2000<\/strong> or more. But your payments won\u2019t stop there. Mandatory repairs and cleaning<\/strong> must be done constantly to ensure your machine keeps customers playing. If your machine gets a good amount of play, you may even need to hire an inspector<\/strong> to check on it every 3-4 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most small repairs, like replacing bumpers or lights won\u2019t cost too much as you can fix a lot yourself for around $20 to $30<\/strong>. If someone damages the back glass or the playfield however, things could get quite costly. Getting your machines into a business won\u2019t be free either. Placing a machine into a business might cost more than expected as the average you\u2019ll walk away with is a 50\/50 profit split<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And to top it off, you\u2019ll mostly have to get a license for your machine if it will be making money on a location. These may not be too expensive and really depend on your state. Plus, if your machine is registered, don\u2019t forget about taxes<\/strong> that need to be paid from your income!<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Bit Of Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Downward Trend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Much Do Pinball Machines Usually Make?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On The Rise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By The Hour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are The Troubles Of Owning A Pinball Machine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Extra Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Many People Are Playing Pinball?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n