Pinball machines for bars and cafes

Venue owners who want something fun for customers to do, and the players who pay to play. Some venues pay a flat monthly rental instead.

A revenue split with the venue on coin or card play, or a flat monthly rental per machine. Some operators also sell machines they have retired from the route.

• Pitching to local business owners
• Machine repair and upkeep
• Route planning and record keeping
• Negotiating a fair split

• Many states, counties and cities license coin-operated amusement machines or operators, so check with your city, county and state revenue office
• Check how your local rules treat machines with prizes or payouts, as gambling laws vary
• Get general liability insurance and check whether your policy covers machines on other people's property
• Machines can break, be damaged or earn less than expected, and each costs real money up front
• Collect and record cash carefully, and check how your income and sales tax are handled

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many machines you buy and their condition. Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on venues, rental fees or revenue splits.

Check whether your city, county and state license coin-operated amusement machines or operators, and ask your state revenue office. Also check how local rules treat machines with prizes or payouts, since gambling laws vary, and how your income and sales tax are handled.

Helpful skills include pitching to local business owners, machine repair and upkeep, route planning and record keeping, and negotiating a fair split. Time is typically at least around 8 hours a week, depending on how many venues you service.