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Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine

Marilyn : Mid-Century Modern

Marilyn Presents

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Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine
Original Presentation Script

Step right up and take a look at this classic piece of Americana: a vintage Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine. These machines were a staple of arcades and taverns in the mid-20th century, offering a unique blend of flipperless pinball mechanics and bingo-style scoring. This particular model, with its vibrant football and cheerleader graphics, perfectly captures the spirit of 1960. Manufactured by the legendary Bally Manufacturing Corporation, this machine is a testament to the golden age of coin-operated entertainment. The construction features a sturdy wooden cabinet, a glass-covered playfield, and complex electro-mechanical relays inside. You can see the authentic details in the red 'A Bally PRODUCT' badge and the original, albeit worn, instruction cards tacked to the playfield apron. The condition is what we'd call 'Fair to Good' for its age. It shows the honest wear of a machine that saw plenty of action—scuffs on the cabinet, significant tearing on the left paper instruction card, and general patina on the metal parts. These signs of use actually support its authenticity as a genuine period piece. Given its solid identification and authentic wear, I give this a high authenticity score. For collectors of vintage arcade games, an intact Bally bingo machine is always a fun find. At auction, I would estimate its value between $400 and $800. It's a fantastic slice of nostalgia that's sure to score points with any enthusiast!

Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.

Item Report

Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine

Merge Reports: Yes (reconciled). Approval remains manual.

By: Bally Manufacturing Corporation

Style: Arcade & Coin-Op

Origin: United States

Materials: Wood, glass, metal, plastic, electrical components

Age: 1960

Condition: Fair to Good (shows typical wear for age, significant tearing to the left paper instruction card, cabinet scuffs; internal working condition untested)

Value: Authentic: $400 - $800

Peer-Reviewed Market Values

Dating Range
Pending structured dating
Auction Liquidation
Pending structured market values
Fair Market Value
Pending structured market values
Replacement Value
Pending structured market values
Comparables Used
1 comparable
Research Confidence
Insufficient Data

Peer review completed, but this run did not return structured market value ranges.

Maker's Marks / Writing: 'TOUCHDOWN', 'A Bally PRODUCT', '5 BALLS 10 CENTS', '* TOUCHDOWN - 10'

Date: 2026-08-17 01:01:39.147132

Description:

A vintage Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine, featuring a football theme with cheerleaders on the backglass. The flipperless playfield includes 25 numbered holes, rollover buttons, and rubber rebound rings. The cabinet is painted in orange and yellow with a football graphic on the side. It includes original instruction cards and a red 'A Bally PRODUCT' badge.

Assessment:

This is a classic example of a mid-century bingo pinball machine by Bally. The 'Touchdown' model is well-known among collectors. The condition appears to be fair to good, with expected wear for its age, including some damage to the instruction cards and general wear on the cabinet and playfield. Its value is primarily to collectors of vintage coin-op machines and pinball enthusiasts.

Individual Images:

  • whole pinball machine
  • playfield view
  • backglass illuminated
  • detail of torn instruction card
  • detail of Bally badge and scoring card

Provenance:

None provided

Condition:

Fair to Good (shows typical wear for age, significant tearing to the left paper instruction card, cabinet scuffs; internal working condition untested)

Identification Score: 100%

The item is clearly identifiable by the 'TOUCHDOWN' title on the backglass and the 'A Bally PRODUCT' badge on the playfield. The specific 25-hole layout and 'magic numbers' feature confirm it is the 1960 Bally Touchdown bingo machine.

Authenticity Score: 95%

The machine shows consistent signs of age and wear typical of a 1960s arcade game. The materials, graphics, and hardware all appear original and correct for this model. Bingo pinball machines of this complexity are not reproduced.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Bally, Touchdown, bingo pinball, vintage arcade, coin-op, 1960s, football theme, United States

The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.

Peer Review Summary

Dating Range 1960
Auction Liquidation Pending structured market values
Fair Market Value Pending structured market values
Replacement Value Pending structured market values
Archived Matches 1 comparable
Research Confidence Insufficient Data

Peer Review

Key Visible Evidence

The provided images display a flipperless bingo-style pinball machine with a 25-hole playfield [Images 1, 2]. The backglass is prominently titled 'TOUCHDOWN,' and the playfield features a red plastic housing molded with 'A Bally PRODUCT' [Image 5]. A lower instruction card includes the text '* TOUCHDOWN - 10' and '5 BALLS 10 CENTS,' alongside a union label [Image 5]. Wear is evident, including scuffs to the painted wooden cabinet and significant tearing on the left-side paper instruction card [Image 4].

Market and Source Support

Independent coin-op reference databases confirm that Bally Manufacturing Corporation released the 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine in 1960. The visual layout, including the 'magic numbers' feature on the backglass and the 25-hole playfield, perfectly matches the documented specifications for this specific 1960 model.

Needs Verification

['Internal mechanical and electrical condition (relays, steppers, motors) cannot be assessed from external photos to confirm working order.', 'The condition of the backglass artwork (flaking/delamination) from the reverse side is not visible.']

Audit Conclusion

The report is supported. The visible markings, cabinet design, and playfield layout confidently identify this as an authentic 1960 Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine.

Report ID:  : h7k9ph

Comparables (Similar Items)

Bally Wizard Pinball Machine with Tommy
Bally Wizard Pinball Machine with Tommy
liveauctioneers.com
Sold $975 + 12% BP
USA · 1970s · Wood, Metal, Plastic
A classic Bally Pinball Wizard pinball machine, known for its engaging gameplay and vibrant artwork.
View source record
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/47705014_bally-pinball-wizard-pinball-machine-minneapolis-mn