What an amusement machine business costs in Australia
Claw machines, arcade cabinets and pinball are a route business like vending: the machines are cheap relative to the sites they earn on. Here is what the machines cost in Australia and how the venue economics work.
The machines
| Machine | Price | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Claw machine, new commercial (note reader, coin mech) | $2,000 to $2,700 | $10 to $15 |
| Arcade cabinet, home-grade multigame | $1,300 to $2,000 | $5 to $10 |
| Arcade cabinet, commercial title | $8,000 to $11,500 | $40 to $55 |
| Pinball, used and reconditioned | $3,450 to $14,500 | $15 to $70 |
| Pinball, new (Stern Pro to Premium) | $11,950 to $15,950 | $60 to $80 |
Import-direct claw machines are advertised far cheaper ex-factory, but freight, GST and electrical compliance roughly double the landed cost, and venues expect machines that pass tagging and testing. Home-grade cabinets are not built for public coin operation; the commercial gap is the coin door, the hardware and the service life.
How the route earns
The standard model: the operator supplies, services and restocks the machines free; the venue supplies floor space and power; takings are split. Venue shares run 15 to 40%, and operators warn that beyond 30% to the venue the route stops being viable. One published Australian worked example: a claw machine at $2 a play doing 25 plays a day grosses about $1,500 a month, before the split, prizes and servicing. Site quality, foot traffic and prize cost discipline decide everything; the machine is the cheapest part.
Financing a route
Machines write as business equipment, and a route of ten claw machines at around $25,000 runs about $125 a week financed, roughly one machine's monthly gross on a decent site. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. Run a route through the repayment calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a claw machine in Australia?
New commercial claw machines with note readers run $2,000 to $2,700 from Australian suppliers. Import-direct units look cheaper but freight, GST and compliance roughly double the landed cost.
How much do pinball machines cost?
New Stern machines run $11,950 to $15,950 in Australia. Used and reconditioned machines trade from $3,450 for older titles to $14,500 for recent ones, and desirable licensed titles hold value.
How does the venue split work for amusement machines?
The operator supplies and services machines free; the venue provides space and power for 15 to 40% of takings. Past 30% to the venue, operators warn the route stops being viable.
Can amusement machines be financed?
Yes, as business equipment, and a multi-machine route can carry one facility with one repayment.
Route economics, one repayment
Tell us the machines and sites and we will come back with one weekly number for the route, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.