Congrats!

I hope you remember to get back to the basics I’ve been an avid customer of yours but to be honest I’ve stopped going as I’m tired of the machines not working properly. An issue with a machine will not be fixed even a year later. (I visit 2-3 times a year) I’ll give you guys another chance at your new location. Good luck

Sorry that some don't like my 35% increase answer. If I said 300-350% would you be happier?

I don't see the average Vegas visitors on the strip making an impulse stop to play pinball there. At least not enough additional customers to double the revenue at PHoF.

Just gotta advertise this to gambling parents who don't know what to do with their kids. Drop the kids off with a C-note, come back several hours later!

Beware the casinos. I hear they don’t like competition. May suddenly run into a smorgasbord of expensive “emergency facility upgrades” from visiting officials.

“Oh, you need a backup HVAC on a custom solar grid in case there’s a tornado-quake. That’ll be $17 million dollars and three years to build. You’ll also need a new building to accommodate the panels... sorry ‘bout that.”

I would definitely second painting the roof to look like a pinball machine. Also an elevated platform where people can take selfies with the 'giant' pinball machine in the background would be immensely attractive for younger tourists.

A neat idea but how long do you think it would last being in the Vegas sun all year round? Think it would fade quick!

How about a pink elephant on the roof?

A good UV-resistant automotive clear would do wonders, just like a real playfield

I wouldn't want to be the painter - on a roof in Vegas just couldn't be fun for any reason let alone trying to do artwork on a roof for hours on end.

30-35%? That is pulled out of guestimate's hat.

NFVG was to be the lettering, but those days of fun and jokes aside are gone with the addition years ago of videos for today's market. Painters during the early AM in off season (not summer) is an easy job on the roofs, its nice and cool in the desert in the mornings. Paint tech has come a long long way for keeping the desert sun from doing its job.

Pink Elephant would be neat, yet would get some folks driving up asking for the car wash or laundry mat. Pete's is so far back as a memory to TA, I would be surprised to see him pay any homage to it other than a mention in an article or two.

LOL about the kids being dropped off, somehow I don't see that changing, read the online reviews about kids and this place. I do believe you were joking, but still could happen? The baby sitting corner in the PHoF incarnation #3, with dunce caps, stools and kids facing the corner repeating the required mantra 'never again, never again'...

I'm confident the 'clout' that TA and company have with Clark County and its past and current commissioners, along with the status that he has with non profit and donating to charity is all that he needs, along with the proof of the puddin' where millions have been donated (where the casinos have done nearly nothing of the same proportions to earnings over the decade of operation for PHoF) and documented is enough. I don't see casinos getting anything but VERY BAD press if they chase the competition tiger's tale around the charity tree in Vegas.

I'll bet Clark County and the town of LV are just a heartbeat away from contemplating re/naming a BLVD or a school in honor, as they should. Look up Union Cab sometime, and then visit that shrine in Alamo the lovely wife set up in honor to Mr. Frias. TA/CA so do deserve the same kind of 'recognition' at least in the naming of something after them. Contribution is King, and these folks have done plenty of it. Yet then so do so many that never seek or deal with the Press about it.

I wonder how many clear-coated roofs there are in the world? Of course if they exist, Vegas seems like a likely place to find one.

absolutely true.
same goes for 'youths'.
definitely going to require some adjustment on the staffs part if a larger contingent of young customers is a result of the move.

Tim is a stand up guy, and deserves the support of all pinball fans. Pinball collectors are notoriously cheap (me included), but a once in a lifetime $100 bucks isn't going to kill me, and will support pinball outreach to the public far into the future. Sending my contribution NOW!

If the roof gets painted, there's only one way it's going to end up...

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Glad to see they are moving. The current establishment not the nicest facility. Unfortunately the machines are not maintained properly. I have not gone in the past three trips to Vegas. I usually go to New York, New York and play the Stern machines if I need a fix. Best of luck. PS. Hire a good tech to fix the machines. Several live in the Vegas area!!

most likely, tim is going to have to resign himself to paying for technical help. with an expected increase in number of machines, its hard to imagine the necessary skilled volunteer hours walking through the door to keep those games running 365 days a year. one of the major criticisms of the current location is the number of games not working or working properly. hes doing what he can with what he has, but its still not enough. the issue will only get worse given more machines to maintain. managing an expanding business should be more demanding of his time, which leaves less time for him to personally fix games, meaning someone else needs to be hired to do it.

Or maybe do something like this:
https://www.indy100.com/article/man-paints-welcome-to-cleveland-sign-on-his-roof-he-lives-by-milwaukee-airport--ZyRhXA38Wl

The goal of the PHoF has never been to appease to the youth of America. In fact, not a single kid under 18 is allowed in without adult supervision, and that is the crux of the problem with kids there. The staff absolutely don't like kids, it is well documented and admitted to by the core volunteer/s and management. That is not likely going to change since the mission of the PHoF has nothing stated in it about expanding gaming and pinball to youth, or saving it from obscurity. TA has said, when its all over, he drops dead, the sign will change to Pinball Sale, and his personal collection (most of the games there) will be sold and the place shuttered. Apparently TA feels he has some 'game' left him, and 65 may not be the deadline we all heard and believed to be the limit. He's just shy of that age. Hiring staff would be a dent in the donations, and against the long established policy of 'contribution is king'. The guys in the Vegas Area for the most part aren't up to snuff on the games, and they would want to be paid to repair. So, it will still be the TA show, the Fun Night that went viral, and donations to make it happen will be needed. I wouldn't gamble on that TA at nearly senility age is going to flip over and change his ways, and why would he do it when its worked so well (raised millions, literally nearly 5+ million in coin) over the years. The proof is in the poodin' kids, TA and the band of pirates have always donated their time, done it for the right (or wrong by some standards) reasons, and given it all away or promised to do so when it all wraps up. They don't want to be known as the next "Liberace Museum Bandits" and bilk the funds down to nothing and pocket it all.

I'd donate money to see Uncle Tim in charge of the kids. We'd see real parenting. For many of the kids, it'd be a first time for them too!

hey wait, what?

I am excited about the prospect of the phof being closer to the strip. I was unable to go to it because of that very reason 2/3 of my last trips.

I might miss the old building, though.

When I used to drive into Vegas myself alone I would always land at the hall of fame and play a few games.

I'm in I want to donate. Can I please get a quick point to the best way to do that? Also I will probably post something on Facebook too. Let's get money from everybody. I mean this in a positive way.

I've been to the PHoF several times and had a couple of chats with Tim. I admire his dedication to pinball and the astonishing amounts he's given to charity over time. The world would be a much better place if we had more people like Tim in it.

This looks like a well thought out move, unlike a lot of foolhardy large-scale pinball arcades I've seen in the past. Location, location, location + a legendary lineup of pins? It's gonna kick ass. And they'll be highly motivated to keep their machines in working order to cover their costs.

Tim, take heed of making selfie spots. It's free PR and unlike advertising it will actually bring people in. Set up a Hercules with a giant PHoF banner behind it. Anything.

And guys, it's Vegas. Keeping it 18+ isn't going to be very odd considering most of the entertainment is 21+ already. And I certainly do hope they keep the kids out and keep the place weird.

I'm in.

Donating! Definitely going to miss the vibe of the old place.

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PHoF marketing begins (see Rex Morgan M.D.).....

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I wonder what it costs to get product placement in Rex Morgan M.D. these days ...

Is that comic supposed to be funny?

Could be ghost written by Tim.....

Yes, don't you get it? Tim Arnold funny.

I'm not sure Rex Morgan as a comic strip is supposed to be at all funny. Its a long running soap opera serial, and thus apropos.

Never heard wedgeheads make Bzzzzz or Klonk sounds. But on the old ones with bells, a lot of ding ding dings for sure. The titles the old man is around are with chime bars, so not so much on the ding ding ding sounds.

The real question is what title from the wedgehead aisle is the old fart with broken parts playing?

I would love to get to PHOF some day. Hopefully a trip will arise after the move !

I hesitate writing this post because I don’t want to criticize a worthy cause and a generous person, but here goes, in an effort of “constructive criticism”. Went to the PHOF for my first time a week ago and was disappointed. Probably won’t be returning. I was particularly interested in seeing and playing mostly EM’s. I had anticipated well maintained machines, true to their original style. What I found were games out of service, poorly maintained, or in some cases (OMG) EM’s with annoying LED’s. The first game I put a quarter in, the first ball, it got stuck behind the rebound rubber because the game was listing so badly to the left. I thought I was going to tilt the game just to get my ball to unstick. It didn’t tilt, but the remaining balls rolled so badly to the left. Yuk. Then I put a quarter in another game and I didn’t get a play nor did my quarter reject when I pressed (repeatedly) the reject button. Frustration...the reason they put slam switches on the coin door. Then there were EM’s that had bright white (I think technically they’re called “Cool White”) LED’s. Definitely not the look of an EM. To make it worse, they strobed when the ball passed by. I suppose the LED’s were done to reduce operating costs. OK, but at least use Warm White rectified bulbs that are a closer match to incandescent, and the rectified bulbs won’t strobe so noticeably. Other games I played had pop bumpers that didn’t always work, or drop targets that had to be hit with a line drive to knock them down. It was nice to see in person several games on my wishlist, but more of them were out of service than in service. I cashed in a $5 bill for change upon arrival and didn’t even stay to spend it all. My much anticipated trip from Ohio to Las Vegas and the PHOF was, well, a memorable experience, just not so positive.

Donation sent!

Many of the EM's have white LEDs soldered in place. This was done many years ago, before bayonet based LEDs were even available. Bulk LEDs and a bridge rectifier were all that was needed to cut down heat emission resulting in lower air conditioning costs and power for the machine. Plus Tim dims the Gottlieb's during Game Over time.

I though all the EM's looked great with the LED lights when I was there.

I'm not a purist in that sense. I thought they made the games pop.

Congrats on the new spot. Been telling the wife I've been wanting to go to Vegas again. Last time we went was our honeymoon in 2007. And get this. We stayed a week at the Riviera. Wish y'all would of had games in it then. Definatly going to visit y'all on the strip when completed.

I love the idea of LEDs in EM’s. Yet another reason to visit.

I can only imagine what a nightmare it must have been to constantly be replacing incandescent bulbs, and how much unnecessary heat damage was caused. I do agree that sunlight or warm LEDs would probably look better.

Many of the EMs do NOT have soldered in LEDs. Saying otherwise is ill-informed, inaccurate and misleading.

The LEDs were put in to reduce and potentially eliminate the need to have volunteers or TA swap out incandescent bulbs which at one time became overwhelming. The focus to be put on the PF condition, and the operation of the game. Another driving force is TAs need to screw over the establishment, particularly the electric company. He hates them.

When swapped out, many of the old GE bulbs (44s and 47s) were kept around, for use, retro fits, cheap installs on flip/spit and shine games, etc. The cycle of initial LEDs installation was by standards... painfully long taking more than a year. The initial LEDs as I recall didn't even have plastic dome covers, then bright white, then soft white. So there are various types still in games, and likely will stay that way. The bright look was considered by TA to make the EMs more relevant as well, and folks 'would just get used to it'.

Most visitors are not pinheads, nor collectors, or pretend-apin-aficionados. Most don't even know the difference, yet they do notice the BGs as being bright, attractive, and easy to look at which drives most to play a game or two. The games are no longer dark and dated looking, except a few as 'reference'.

Here is my take on this,

I have not been flamed on here yet...Ever. I posted this (very close) to my non-pinhead friends on FB earlier not knowing “Tim” or the older lady that violently powered down MB today when i told here the lower pop wasn’t firing causing ball search to fail.

Really torn on Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame. A pinball location with over 200 games.

The “name” and condition is doing more harm than good for the interest of the young and old joining this hobby/lifestyle for the first time. I can only assume, people have left without appreciating the experience. 75 percent of the games here do not work they way they should. I found myself excited to go back and finish off the $10 bucks in quarters i had from my first trip. It quickly changed.

However, a young and mechanically smart teenage girl wearing a Volunteer shirt “worked” both days i was there. Its a busy place. When i talked to this young girl attempting to fix a game i was playing her response to why she volunteers was “It get’s me off the couch”. I hope they appreciate someone like that. The first day she was trying to fix my Star Trek (hopeful thinking folks, maybe someday), then the manager/owner had her polishing the entire play surface when they found out it was not fixable at the time. She was hustling going from game to game, and reacted calmly when other people pulled her aside for their game issues. People are still “doing it” the work ethic is still there. Congrats to her for setting a great example for a struggling place. Good job!!!

Many of the EMs DO have soldered in LEDs. Saying otherwise is ill-informed, inaccurate and misleading.

These were the machines that were in the first building on Tropicana & Pecos. Many are now in the current building and some have been rotated out and are in storage. Some are now back in the building.

Tim was soldering them in place as soon as he figured out he could install a bridge rectifier and a couple dollars worth of bulk, white LED's and be saving on the energy bills.

I love stories like this. I love young people with hustle. I hope she gets some mentorship from somewhere.

Look no further than Tim himself as a mentor....

Rotation of the GTB aisle has not been significant, and I've seen them all, bayonette only in most. The number of soldered LEDs into heads is minimal for GI on the EMs. By %, there are few soldered. There are not many.

The first time I played pinball circus at the hall of fame, It was not my thing.

My young daughter loved it.

So flash forward a few years now I played it earlier in the year. After my stroke and three brain surgeries too.

I dumped the quarters in that thing. When I go back I will play that first.

It is strange the way your tastes can change.

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This machine and Going Nuts alone justify PHoF's existence in my mind, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to play both of these there. And for everyone that goes there, there's probably another 5-10 games they'll never get to play anywhere else. Are there games that sometimes disappoint, sure. But where else are you going to have this opportunity. And how can there not be an issue with maintenance, given the number of games, and true goal of the establishment--donate to charity. PHoF is great for the hobby, being in such a high profile location. Remember, we are not the norm, and most of world does not have our standards, but is just happy to bat around a ball, listen to the sounds, and watch the lights.

I think most people think Tim should donate less to charity and more into the games (whether that be to hire more people, replace displays when they start to go bad right away instead of waiting until there's enough lines out where you can't read it anymore, maybe use real leg protectors instead of shoving cardboard in-between so it looks like a museum not hobo pinball), but at the end of the day it's Tim's games, his establishment, and he can do whatever he wants to do with it.

EXACTLY

And remember he was a Millionaire before he turned 40 so he isn't a stupid guy! Now he gives tens of thousands of dollars a year to charity and people complain about how he runs his business?

Are his machines the best working examples all the time - HELL NO! But is he doing it all for the right reasons - I think so! And if your willing to work for free - like he does - he will be more than happy to put you to work!

And by what amount he donates every year. He seems to be running the most successful arcade there is or ever has been.

LTG : )

Exactly.

Should you disagree with his methods and it really bothers you, don't donate or visit the museum.

Or better yet, start your own 'museum' arcade like so many others have done and tried, and see how it actually goes for ya. Get back to us in 2-3 years when you have either failed to live up to the standards you set, or fail and go out of 'business', or succeed. I'm hedging there is a no-start-at-all in the armchair online pinball charity people.