easy to do the general math.

11 months on route. Say 5k for the game for simple math.
$2750 total earnings to date.

Assume ~$150 in sales tax off the top
Assume 50% split with location
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Leaves you $1300 or approx $120 a month for your effort at that point.

Assume ~$100 in insurance (assuming split over multiple games it comes out to around $100 per game per year)
Assume ~$100 for small parts and flipper rebuilds per manufacturer spec
Pray for no major issues beyond normal wear/tear.

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Down to $1100 or approximately $100 per month.

How many times do you need to go to the location to maintain the game each month. Proactive maintenance would be 1x per week. After the bugs get worked out for any game you could likely get away with 1x per month.

Assume 2hr minimum between travel and maintenance and 6hr on the high end per month.

you are making $16 to $50 and hour on your 5k investment and of course quite a bit of time.

The TLDR version >> yes, it will pay off the game in approx 4 years. That means zero payment for your time.
If you have a better split then less time.

You still own the game afetr it is all said and done but that game will have 25,000 plays on average and you can expect some major failures over the 5 year span that are going to cost you way more time than your monthly avg.

yeah, but my illustration of general numbers was just too point out... yes, you can pay it off very slowly but I dont suggest doing it without the realistic expectation that you are doing it with love and to help grow pinball. Your time is better spent with pretty much every other possible side hustle.

Pinball can be profitable in very few areas or the exact right location, but it is still fun if you go into it with the right understanding and expectations.