I would prefer to see it alive n working as a restored pinny, but its not a waste if the bloke who owns it gets to use it and enjoy it as a talking piece etc. He will use it everyday at least and many will see it. Somethings arent worth fully restoring, and not everyone likes to sell everything off.
It might not live on as a working pinball machine, but it will live on in one way which is better than going to the dump.