The Founder's Corner: Q&A Edition

Originally published in The Monthly Multiball, September 2025.

Q1: What inspired the creation of Pinball Passport?

Jose: Miami has long been what I call a pinball desert. My vision is to turn it into a community where people of all ages can enjoy machines in welcoming, premium spaces. Pinball Passport isn’t just about dropping machines into venues; it’s about building a connected network where play feels like part of a bigger adventure. It’s about creating that pinball oasis.

“It’s not about putting a bunch of machines around the city, it’s about connecting a bunch of people with those machines.”

Q2: How does Pinball Passport stand out from other arcade experiences?

Jose: We focus on details that elevate the player experience. That means cashless, connected play across multiple locations with one simple card system, plus thoughtful touches like HD glass, high-quality lighting, reliable upkeep. Even if players can’t pinpoint those details, they feel the difference.

Q3: What role does community play in your model?

Jose: Community is at the heart of Pinball Passport. It’s not about putting a bunch of machines around the city, it’s about connecting a bunch of people with those machines. We’ll have tour guides who help new players feel welcome so they don’t have to always figure it out on their own. We built a way for players to report maintenance issues and even get rewarded for it, because that sense of ownership makes the games better for everyone. Then there’s league play that keeps people coming back, building friendships and rivalries. Add in Stern Army events and launch parties for new titles, and suddenly you have a calendar full of reasons to show up, play, and connect. All of our machines are Stern and Insider Connected, which ties everything together and lets players track progress, earn badges, and be part of something bigger. Everything we’re doing is designed to create, grow, and unite communities around pinball, so it’s not just playing a game, it’s being part of an experience

Q4: Where do you see Pinball Passport in the next few years?

Jose: Phase 1 is focused on Miami. Right now, our priority is building a strong network here and learning from player feedback. My first goal is to have two locations by the end of September: one premier location with at least four machines and one island location with at least one pinball machine. After that, we’ll expand as we work to deploy all 29 Stern Insider Connected machines.

Long term, I want Pinball Passport to grow beyond Miami, then beyond Florida, and eventually beyond the U.S. How cool would it be if you actually needed a passport to play at every Pinball Passport location?

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May your shots be dialed in and your flippers strong,

Jose