Early machine at Wookey Hole Caves A penny arcade can be any type of venue for coin-operated devices, usually for entertainment. The term came into use about 1905–1910.[1] The name derives from the penny, once a staple coin for the machines. The machines used included:[3] bagatelles, a game with elements of billiards and non-electrical pinball, early forms of non-electrical pinball machines, fortu