Anyone who came of age from the 1950s probably has at least played some pinball at some point. The games as they are known today trace their origins back to the 1930s when the invention of electricity greatly ramped up earlier versions.

The games flourished beginning in the 1970s with more electronics and features making their way to the games. Adding some icons like the band KISS and daredevil Evel Knievel had kids hitting those flippers and hoping for a high score. The games have become even more complex in recent years, but many of those earlier games have become collector’s items.

Fans of casinos are also in luck as a few classic pinball machines also come with some cool gambling themes and features. Many players enjoy pinball for the same reasons they enjoy slot machines and other gambling – the sights, sounds, and the excitement of racking up a big win. Who wouldn’t want to add one of these vintage pinball machines to that poker room or man cave? Here’s a look at some great gambling, casino, and Las Vegas themed pinball machines.

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1 – High Roller Casino (2001)

This game ramps up the Las Vegas and casino vibes with almost every game and Vegas-related graphic possible on the playfield – casino chips, blackjack dealer and table, playing cards, craps dice, the Vegas skyline, and even a showgirl. Play the game just right and you can even zing that ball right into a slot machine or roulette wheel.

High Roller is a complete gambling overload with a true homage to Las Vegas. A showgirl is even featured on the side of the cabinet. The back box features a cool Vegas scene, fittingly with a high roller in a cowboy hat accompanied by a couple of ladies tossing some dice. He’s surrounded by a showgirl, roulette wheel, and slot machine. The sound effects and music add a lot to the experience, including a dealer announcing “luck be a lady tonight.”

A bonus wheel also rewards players with an extra ball, slot spin, and a roll of the dice. This may be the ultimate pinball machine for any gambler. You may not be able to make a trip to Las Vegas, but this machine has a bit of everything you might find on the Strip.

2 – Las Vegas (1977)

This machine also pays homage to classic Sin City. Drop in a quarter and watch that ball roll and get bumped around on a device featuring everything Vegas – playing cards, casino chips, dice, slot machines, a roulette wheel, a rocking band, and more.

The Las Vegas machine was actually one of the first games meant for home use. “Now you can flip, bump, roll, ring, even tilt with the most exciting home pinball ever built,” advertisements for the game noted.

The game featured some great graphics and may have players feeling like activating those flippers is the next best thing to actually being in Las Vegas. And if you crap out, simply hammer up another ball or pop in another quarter.

3 – Joker Poker (1978)

Some casino fans may think of Joker Poker as a video poker game, but this version features plenty of pinball fun. Like the Las Vegas game, this one also features some great art and graphics. The two female jokers on the top of the games stand out as a river of playing cards, catching a player’s eye as well.

The colorful game top features plenty of card and casino imagery as well. The upper left bumper syands out, offering a closeup of the suicide king’s hand gripping a dagger. Players can get more points for collecting better poker hands, with four Aces serving up 5,000 points. This game raises the bar and offers plenty of ways to win.

4 – Drop-A-Card (1971)

Will you be the king of the court in this play card themed game? This classic features plenty of gambling iconography including kings, queens, jokers, playing card suits, and more. Bank those cards for some bonus points and keep those bumpers humming.

The back box displays some great graphics, a really cool king and queen with a jack and joker looking on as well. One can easily imagine a kid in the 1970s saving up some quarters, heading to the nearest pinball hotspot, and aiming for that high score. He’d just have to play his cards right in this game.

5 – High Hand (1973)

Deal yourself a winner in this game that screams gambling. The cabinet features playing card suit symbols and high hands seem to be falling from the sky. There’s also a few strange notes to this game. An interesting character dressed in a kind of poker suit and helmet is making some kind of journey on a foreign world.

The game table is a bit less interesting than the upper box, but you’ll find more playing cards and suits. Slam that ball into some of the bonus symbols to chalk up even more points. Score enough and perhaps the poker guy might just make it home.

6 – Riverboat Gambler (1990)

Head back to the 19th century for some great throwback gambling with this game. The game offers a vintage casino feel and players may feel like they’ve hopped aboard a paddlewheel steamship on the mighty Mississippi. Collect as many casino chips as possible to score big in Riverboard Gambler.

Like some other great games here, this pinball machine brings some of the actual casino devices right to the playfield for some extra excitement. In this case, check out the right side of the playing surface for a cool roulette layout.

Add up to 200 chips to your bankroll by grabbing a royal flush – a scenario most card players would love. A female onboard even adds “oooh, lucky start,” as you’re playing. Hopefully that luck continues. Those who like a little vintage casino fun and history, should definitely hit the flippers on this one.

7 – Jacks Open (1977)

This poker-themed game features plenty of playing card fun and some great throwback imagery of a beautiful queen overseeing some kind of poker game involving four opponents running around collecting cards and suits. Grab three queens, a full house, or a royal flush for some nice payouts.

The lights behind the backglass add some nice touches as well with the queen and playing cards really standing out. The cabinet itself offers a great gambling scene as well with some classic red and black playing card suits and a great side view of the king.

Score bigger and bigger hands to earn more and more points. Hopefully this trip to the card table includes some of the queen’s riches.

8 – World Poker Tour (2006)

The 2000s brought a massive poker boom and the World Poker Tour was a huge part of that. When the show debuted, viewers could players betting huge amounts of money for the first time – and also see their cards. The show was a hit and featured tournaments from exotic casinos all around the world.

The pinball version of the game looked to capture some of that allure and brought players up close and personal for the action. The pinball game featured a hostess along with commentators Vince Van Patten and Mike Sexton.

Look for plenty of cards, chips, and some huge money on the line. Play your cards right and you just might find a seat at the final table – or at least  free game.

9 – Alien Poker (1980)

Deal some cards with some crazy creatures in this unique game. Ever wanted to play poker with a Martian, E.T., or Spock? If yes, then this game may be for you. The back box features a table of aliens locked in a real poker battle with some cool views of the galaxy behind them.

Released the same year as Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the game designers looked to capture a bit of that energy but also threw in some cards playing. The playfield features some closeups of these intergalactic poker sharks showing off some interesting poker faces.

There are plenty of cardplaying images and icons as players try to score big. The audio effects are a nice touch as well. Hit the high score and one of the aliens says, “Big winner!” Another interplanetary chimes in at random times with, “When I win, I win big!” Bring that lucky charm and challenge some of the most bizarre poker opponents you may have ever played.

10 – Jokerz! (1988)

This fun game focuses on the joker, a wild card that brings plenty of excitement. The table top offers up a king and queen with the joker always looking on. The game features some great graphics and plenty of cards and gambling.

The king seems to have a huge hand, but is the queen holding that lucky joker that might change her fortune? Drop in a few quarters for a shot at your own big hand.

11 – Jack • Bot (1995)

Jump in a time machine and head to the future for this cutting edge casino that looks like a casino from 3095 instead of 1995. There is a complete gambling house available on the pinball machine but all with a futuristic vibe – from the droid dealers and cocktail waitresses to the robot-like slot machine.
Can you walk away as a winner in this intergalactic casino? Or will these metallic dealers play like a terminator and have you on tilt? Bring some interstellar skills to this game.

12 – Millionaire (1987)

Live like a high roller with this cool game that featured everything a potential millionaire might dream of: a luxurious lifestyle, limos, elegant ladies, big bucks, and more. The game also features one aspect that certainly stands out – what appears to be roulette wheel right in the middle of the game.

Hit those flippers just right and a ball spins on the pinball roulette wheel and lands in one of the slots surrounded by gems. Will it be the diamond or maybe a sapphire on that next quarter dropped in the machine?

Beyond the roulette wheel, this entire game gives off that great “high roller” kind of James Bond vibe, and might be a nice companion with another of the games mentioned here. Play the game just right and you just might earn a million – points.

*Credits for the cover image belongs to AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
 

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions. He is also the host of the True Gambling Stories podcast, available on iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, PokerNews.com, HoldemRadio.com, and other platforms.