Williams Electronic Games Inc.

Williams Electronic Games Inc., founded in 1943 by Harry E. Williams in Chicago, Illinois, is a cornerstone name in classic Williams pinball and arcade history, known for pioneering innovations such as the tilt mechanism and electrically powered scoring as it evolved into WMS Industries and expanded through acquisitions including Bally/Midway to become a dominant pinball and arcade manufacturer. Williams produced many iconic Williams pinball machines that combined mechanical and electronic innovation—landmark titles include Gorgar, Black Knight and, under the Bally label, The Addams Family—machines that set commercial and design benchmarks for the industry and remain sought-after collector pieces. After an ambitious attempt to revive the market with the Pinball 2000 platform, Williams closed its pinball division in 1999 and WMS later merged into Scientific Games (now Light & Wonder), shifting corporate focus toward casino gaming. Today the Williams and Bally pinball legacy is sustained through licensed partners and parts suppliers: Planetary Pinball Supply holds a worldwide license to manufacture and distribute Williams/Bally replacement parts and approved products, ensuring Williams pinball machines remain serviceable, playable and collectible for hobbyists, operators and retro-arcade enthusiasts.