Timezone (video arcades)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Amusement arcades |
| Founded | 1 January 1978 in Perth, Australia |
| Founder | Malcolm Steinberg |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam |
| Owner | The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG) |
| Website | timezoneworld |
Timezone is a global network of family entertainment centers and amusement arcade venues headquartered in Australia. Owned by The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG), Timezone maintains operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
History
The origins of Timezone trace back to 1958 when Malcolm Steinberg began by installing 21 pinball machines in Perth locations under profit-sharing arrangements. His company, Leisure & Allied Industries (LAI), ventured into the arcade game retail sector during the early 1970s with outlets named Blue Pumpernickel and Crystal Palace. In 1978, Steinberg launched the inaugural Timezone arcade on Murray Street in Perth, subsequently rebranding his existing stores under this new banner. Initially expanding to eight locations within Western Australia, Timezone then grew nationally throughout the early 1980s. From 1989 to 1991, LAI opened an additional 25 sites.
The brand took its first step overseas in 1995 by inaugurating a location in Bali, Indonesia. Operations in Indonesia are overseen by PT Matahari Graha Fantasi, a subsidiary of the Lippo Group. Timezone Malaysia operated between 1999 and 2003 but ceased due to venue collapse.
In December 2017, TEEG acquired Ardent Leisure’s bowling and entertainment division and integrated it with Timezone to create a diversified entertainment portfolio including AMF Bowling (which was rebranded as Zone Bowling), Kingpin, and Playtime. This strategic acquisition expanded TEEG’s presence to over 250 venues across six countries. AMF locations in New Zealand were rebranded as Xtreme Entertainment. By mid-2019, all Playtime outlets were consolidated under the Timezone brand.
February 2019 marked the launch of TEEG’s first combined Zone Bowling and Timezone facility at Westfield Garden City. Subsequently, TEEG started converting New Zealand’s Xtreme Entertainment bowling centres into dual-branded venues, beginning with the Garden City site in Christchurch.
In July 2021, after a twenty-year hiatus, TEEG re-entered South Australia by opening a dual-branded venue in Woodville. Simultaneously, it acquired several TunzaFun locations across South Australia and Victoria—including Tea Tree Plaza, Elizabeth Shopping Centre, and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre—to convert them into Timezone outlets.
Powercard
Timezone adopted a magnetic swipecard system known as the Timezone Powercard, enabling patrons to preload funds (for example, $10) onto a card which could then be swiped at arcade machines to deduct credits. This system, developed by Australian firm Embed International, eliminated the need for coins. Tap-to-play cards are available within franchises in Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and India; rollout has been ongoing across Australian venues since December 2018. In the Philippines, cards function as hybrid tap-and-swipe due to partial tap compatibility; newer branches employ tap-only cards with plans for wider adoption.
In 2004, physical paper tickets were replaced by electronic tickets stored on the Powercard; however, dispensing physical tickets resumed later in India, the Philippines, and Singapore. In India and the Philippines, a rare golden ticket grants an additional 500 to 1000 tickets.
By 2005 in Australia, Powerclub credits were valid for one year and restricted to use at the original purchase location. Following numerous store closures by 2008, balances became redeemable at any venue. Nevertheless, advancing to higher Powerclub tiers required loading credit at the issuing store or accumulating Fun Points by reaching specific thresholds. If a venue closed permanently, customers could designate a new "home venue." In 2022, Philippine stores discontinued Fun Points in favor of a unified Timezone Rewards program that offers flexible redemption options and tier progression.
Indonesian Timezone locations utilize Tizos as their gaming currency instead of local cash.
Timezone Rewards
Timezone Rewards represents the loyalty scheme provided by Timezone, featuring a tiered system of rewards and advantages. The criteria for each tier differ depending on the country. In regions such as Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Singapore, the program is organized as follows:
- Welcome tier
This is the initial red Powercard level where members begin accumulating rewards and enjoying benefits.
- Blue Elite tier
Members advance from Welcome upon reaching a specified cumulative loading amount, unlocking discounts and additional privileges.
- Gold tier
Attained after surpassing a higher cumulative load threshold, this tier grants bonus game credits, e-tickets, special discounts, and exclusive promotions.
- Platinum tier
The topmost and most prestigious level, offering VVIP pricing, daily complimentary games, free beverages, and further exclusive advantages.