The company that makes those machines contacted me a few years ago.
Yes, they are some sort of redemption machine. They don't have flippers.
The lady who was emailing me said that they can't make "pinball machines like Stern" because they are illegal in China because people bet on the games. So they are outlawed.
I've been to China 5 times and I've never seen a pinball machine anywhere. Not saying there isn't one ... I just haven't seen one ... And none of my chinese mates who live there have seen one either.
On another note, there was this guy here in NZ who wanted to buy some pins off me. He was emailing me for months trying to get expensive machines for a deal. Obviously he had a limited budget, but instead of buying a LW3 he wanted a SM for the same price.
He searched on line and found someone in China who was willing to sell him an Ironman, Spider-Man and Batman DK for $5400 USD the three. What a deal! They sent him a proper proforma invoice and he sent them $5400 USD. Imagine his surprise when they didn't show up as promised....
So to recoup some of his $5400 USD he listed the receipt for sale and someone bought it for $5 from memory :lol You can't see the receipt online anymore, but here is the link to the auction:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/other/auction-396066658.htm
Dave.