I could see them with an online module with WiFi, accelerometers and a gyro. This would allow the machine to be within a certain setup to qualify for online tournaments. As well as control it's own tilt sensitivity.

As far as people cheating at home with the glass off. Maybe the module includes video. LOL. Cheating is an issue with PC games also. And they work pretty hard to stop it. So with Pinball, same applies.

They could make an online qualifying tournament. Where the ultimate goal is to show up at an event and win the online tourney in person. So if you cheated your way there, you have nothing to show for it until you show up and win in person. And if you suck, you will suck worse under pressure.

Problem solved.

As far as secure delivery, isn't it Linux based OS? So plenty of secure ways to deliver secure payloads using off the shelf software Stern can buy/license.

This isn't rocket science.