Skip to Content

How Pinball Went from an Illegal Game to a Respected Skill

The Surprising Ban on Pinball in the 1940s

In the 1940s, pinball was not just a game but a source of controversy in major U.S. cities. Back then, pinball relied mostly on chance rather than skill. Many machines didn’t have flippers, making it similar to gambling games like slot machines, which attracted unwanted attention from the authorities. New York City’s mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, led the charge against pinball. He saw it as a game of chance that encouraged gambling and corruption, especially among young people. In a dramatic show of force, La Guardia even led police raids where officers smashed pinball machines with sledgehammers. Other cities, such as Los Angeles and Chicago, quickly followed with their own restrictions.

A Shift in Pinball Technology and Skill

While pinball faced strict bans, its popularity never disappeared. By the 1970s, advances in technology transformed the game. Modern pinball machines introduced flippers, which allowed players to control the ball more precisely and increased the role of skill. However, despite this technological shift, the laws had not yet caught up with the game’s evolution. In cities like New York, pinball remained banned, still viewed by many as a game of chance rather than one requiring skill.

The Association Steps In to Challenge the Law

In 1976, the Association of Amusement and Coin Machine Operators decided to take a stand and challenge the longstanding ban. They enlisted attorney Eugene E. Constantine to represent their case. However, to make a strong argument, Constantine needed a witness who could prove, through demonstration, that pinball was a game of skill. That’s where Roger Sharpe came in. A journalist with a deep knowledge of pinball and exceptional playing skills, Sharpe had gained a reputation for his expertise in the game. Although he wasn’t personally connected to Constantine or the association, his talents made him an ideal witness for the case.

Roger Sharpe’s Legendary Courtroom Demonstration

The courtroom demonstration is now a celebrated event in pinball history. Sharpe was tasked with showing that a skilled player could control the ball, proving that pinball was more than just a game of luck. In a move that would make history, Sharpe used a machine he knew well and began explaining his technique to the courtroom. He even went so far as to call his shot before launching the ball, confidently predicting where it would land. To everyone’s amazement, Sharpe executed the shot perfectly, displaying a high level of skill that left no room for doubt: pinball was indeed a game of skill.

A Victory for Pinball and Its Rebirth in Popular Culture

Roger Sharpe’s performance convinced the council members and judge that pinball required skill and shouldn’t be classified as gambling. The ban in New York was lifted, and other cities soon followed suit. This legal victory marked the beginning of pinball’s resurgence. Far from being a tool of corruption, pinball was now recognized as a respectable game of skill, welcomed back into arcades, bars, and entertainment venues across the country. Roger Sharpe’s role in proving the game’s merit elevated him to hero status in the pinball community.

Legacy of the Court Case and Pinball Today

Today, the 1976 court case is viewed as a turning point in pinball history. Roger Sharpe’s demonstration not only saved the game in New York but also contributed to a broader cultural shift that allowed pinball to thrive once again. Modern pinball leagues, tournaments, and an active fan community owe a debt to this moment, when one player’s skill proved that pinball was here to stay. What started as a misunderstood and banned machine is now celebrated as a beloved pastime—thanks to the skill, courage, and passion of Roger Sharpe.

From Arcades to Screens: The Incredible History of Virtual Pinball Cabinets and Visual Pinball X