Pari-Mutuel

The Pari-Mutuel, manufactured by Bally in 1936 and designed by Fred Marco, is an early electromechanical (EM) one-ball payout machine built around a horse racing theme, a popular subject for gambling-style pinball games of the era. Its design and gameplay features reflect the evolving mechanics and technologies of the era, making it a fascinating piece for collectors and historians.

Play on the Pari-Mutuel involves six coin chutes feeding into a single ball path, with no outholes present to add an extra layer of challenge. The game also features electric anti-tilt technology, a relatively new feature at the time. With only one ball allowed per play, players had to make every shot count in this high-stakes game, which sold new for $177.50 F.O.B. Chicago.

The Pari-Mutuel's design and artwork reflect the early days of pinball, with bold, stylized illustrations of horses and racing tracks adorning the cabinet. As an EM machine from a relatively early period in pinball history, it offers a glimpse into the development of gameplay mechanics and aesthetics that would later become standard in the industry.