NEW YORK – In the 60s and 70s, New York City was a city on decline. Violence, drugs and the sex trade seemingly took over the Big Apple. But one wholesome pasttime was banned during that period until a man from Chicago helped overturn the ban.
The saga began in the early 1940s when New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia spearheaded a campaign against pinball machines.
The mayor argued that pinball was a form of gambling and a “nickel-stealing” device that preyed on the youth. Law enforcement officers were sent out to round up these machines, often smashing them publicly in a display meant to discourage their use. Thousands of pinball machines were seized and destroyed during this period.
For the next 35 years, pinball was relegated to the shadows in New York City. Across the Hudson, pinball was legal and could be found in boardwalk arcades up and down the Jersey Shore, in North Jersey bars and new arcades.
While it was not impossible to find a pinball machine in certain locations, it remained illegal and was often associated with organized crime and gambling rings. Over time, however, the view on pinball began to shift.
Technological advancements made the game more skill-based, and it gained popularity in other parts of the country.
In 1976, Roger Sharpe, a young midwesterner and pinball enthusiast, stepped into the spotlight. Sharpe was able to demonstrate to the New York City Council that pinball was a game of skill rather than chance. To prove his point, he called a specific shot during his demonstration, much like calling a pocket in pool, and made it. His testimony and demonstration were convincing enough to prompt the Council to lift the ban.
After the ban was lifted, pinball machines quickly returned to New York City’s bars, arcades, and pizza parlors. The game has since become a staple in American pop culture and has even made its way into digital formats.
For those interested in this fascinating chapter of American history, the movie “Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game” is currently streaming on Hulu. It offers an in-depth look at Roger Sharpe’s crucial role in overturning the ban, and it’s a great film for a date night.