Mobile arcade machine hire
Take arcade cabinets and pinball tables to parties, weddings and corporate events on a hire basis.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A small collection of arcade cabinets, pinball tables and retro games that you deliver, set up and run on free play at private and business events.
Your first three steps
- Buy or refurbish two or three popular machines and test them thoroughly
- Work out your delivery area and hire prices by checking local party and event hire firms
- Set up a simple website and social pages with photos, and contact local venues and wedding planners
Who pays
Parents booking parties, wedding couples, companies running staff events, pubs, schools and venues.
How it makes money
A hire fee per event or per day, plus delivery and set-up charges. Some venues may agree a revenue share on pay-to-play machines.
Skills that help
- Repairing and maintaining machines
- Driving and loading heavy equipment
- Organising bookings and logistics
- Friendly, reliable customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance covering equipment at events
- Check with your council or the Gambling Commission before using any machine that takes money or gives prizes; free-play hire is simpler
- Electrical safety: keep machines PAT tested and check venue requirements
- You will need a suitable van and safe lifting methods for heavy cabinets
- Storage space for the machines, and checking your home or landlord allows it
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile arcade machine hire
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an arcade machine hire business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many machines you buy, their condition and the vehicle you use. These are estimates, so price up machines, transport and insurance yourself.
How much can mobile arcade hire earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £4,000, depending on how many bookings you win and the machines you offer. That is revenue before van costs, repairs and insurance.
What should I check before hiring out arcade machines at events?
Check you have public liability insurance covering equipment at events, and keep machines PAT tested. Check with your council or the Gambling Commission before using any machine that takes money or gives prizes; free-play hire is simpler.
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