Did Pinball Used to Be Illegal?

Pinball was banned beginning in the early 1940s until 1976 in New York City. New York mayor Fiorello La Guardia was responsible for the ban, believing that it robbed school children of their hard earned nickels and dimes.

Is pinball still illegal?

In fact, many places still have laws on the books banning pinball. Modern-day pinball fanatics are everywhere, and there are a reported 4,500 pinball competitions taking place around the world every year. So it may seem odd to consider that, once upon a time, pinball games were illegal in many parts of the world.

Why did Laguardia ban pinball?

The Reason Behind the Pinball Ban

The primary reason pinball was made illegal in the trio of cities just mentioned, and in others, was because it was considered gambling, a game of chance. City leaders also considered pinball to be enjoyed by people of questionable ethics.