Stern Pinball Begins 30th Anniversary Contest To Find Ultimate Fan Win A Free Machine

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL -- The world's largest pinball machine manufacturer has kicked off a contest for enthusiastic players and other aficionados of the game to help celebrate its history. The social media event celebrates Stern Pinball Inc.'s 30th anniversary.

To enter the contest, fans need to submit photos illustrating the characteristics that demonstrate their enthusiasm for the game. "Be funny. Be awesome," Stern urges. "Show your love. What makes you a pinball fan? Photos must include YOU in them!"

The company added, "Never before has a selfie taken with a cellphone had the potential to be rewarded with a brand-new pinball machine."

Images can be uploaded to social media photo-sharing sites under the hashtag #UltimateSternPinballFan. Submission is free, and anyone can enter as many times as they want.

Entries will be accepted through Nov. 1, 2016, when the contest closes. Stern Pinball will determine the finalists, and fans then will choose the winner. This Ultimate Pinball Fan will receive a Stern Premium Edition pinball machine of his or her choice, from the models available on Jan. 1, 2017.

"We are incredibly proud to be celebrating 30 years of providing unlimited pinball fun to fans around the world," said chairman and chief executive Gary Stern. "We appreciate the loyalty of pinball enthusiasts everywhere, and this contest is our way to say thank you for continuing to play an incredible game and supporting our company."

Stern Pinball is deeply rooted in coin-op amusement history. Sam Stern, who pioneered modern on-street operations and coin equipment distribution in Philadelphia before World War II, purchased a half-interest in Williams Electronics in 1947. After Sam's death almost four decades later, his son Gary helped establish Data East Pinball in 1986. That enterprise was acquired by Sega in 1994; Sega sold it to Stern in 1999, and Stern Pinball has been leading development of modern flipper games ever since.

A major shift in the market for pinball machines (and other classic coin-op games) has been the steady increase in the size and sophistication of the collector community. These vocal and energetic pinball enthusiasts have reawakened public interest in flipper games, and the Ultimate Stern Pinball Fan contest seems likely to strengthen this trend.

Remember to use the hashtag for photo submissions, so the Stern Pinball judges can find it.