why was pinball banned in new york

Pinball was banned in New York City in 1942 because it was perceived as a form of gambling reliant on chance rather than skill. The game was associated with organized crime and was believed to contribute to social decay and gambling among youth. Then-Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia led a crusade against pinball, viewing it as a moral menace and a tool supporting criminal activity. The ban included seizures and destruction of machines in public raids. It wasn't until 1976 that the ban was lifted after a demonstration proved pinball to be a game of skill rather than chance.