Give Back While Having Fun at the Pinball Hall of Fame
By Lauren Wong
Imagine 25,000 square-feet filled with wall-to-wall playable games that date back to the 1950s. That’s what Tim Arnold and the members of the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club bring you with the Pinball Hall of Fame.
It’s nothing but pinball machine after pinball machine (and some arcade novelty games from the past) in this dedicated, standalone, non-profit museum. Everything you see, you can play! This group of pinball lovers continually work to restore the machines to like-new playing condition.
Ranging from the 1950s – 1990s, all of the games belong to club member, Tim Arnold. For Tim, everything started back in 1976 when he and his brother opened up “Pinball Pete’s” in Lansing, Michigan. It quickly became a big hit, and in 1990 he sold his part of the business and brought it down to Las Vegas.
With two major goals in mind; providing a place solely for fun, and giving back to those in need, the foundation for the Pinball Hall of Fame was created.
In fact, fun is mandatory at the Pinball Hall of Fame. Contrary to the typical Vegas experience, you’re putting your money in for the sole purpose of having a good time. You’re not sitting there with the weight of trying to earn back your losses because the only monetary exchange is a few cents for a good time.
This registered 501c3 non-profit organization is grounded by quality-for-quality’s sake, “zen-and-the-art-of-pinball-maintenance philosophy.”
When Tim originally moved down to Las Vegas he called the Salvation Army. He wanted to ensure that if he donated his money there, it would go directly towards helping others. He then started making thousands of dollars of donations.
Now, all the leftover money the Pinball Hall of Fame has after paying their rent, electricity, and other essential upkeep costs, goes right to the Salvation Army.
The whole place holds this sort of thrifty vibe, from the pinball collection to the decor. The change machines right inside of the front door are actually from the Golden Nugget’s trash dock that they swiped before the garbage men came. It’s truly a place that’s been curated just for you to have a good time, and behind the scenes, you’re giving back to the community.
In 2021, the Hall of Fame moved into the location they are at now, doubling in their original size. More square footage means more room for games!
For more information on the Pinball Hall of Fame, visit their website.
