Pinball: From Illegal Gambling Game to a Classic Pastime | American Obsessions

In the series premiere of VICE's American Obsessions, we take a look at the beloved game of pinball, its controversial history and days of corruption, and dive into the story of the family rooted deep in the nostalgic game's past and future.
Between the 1940s and 1970s, pinball was notoriously banned in some of the biggest cities in the United States, due to claims that it was a mafia-run gambling device that was corrupting the youth of America. It wasn't until 1976 that expert Roger Sharpe testified in court to demonstrate that pinball was a game of skill and not of luck, after which the ban was lifted in New York City.
This, however, wasn't the end of the game's long battle for legality, and some cities today still do not allow pinball in their districts. But now the game is making a comeback - both in court and in the world of gaming.
VICE follows pinball fans, including breakout musician Mac Demarco, and beloved playfield artist Dirty Donny, to learn more about the game's place in American pop culture. We then travel to the 2014 annual Pinball Expo in Chicago to meet with the Sharpe family and watch the best players in the world battle for the reigning title.
Up Next: Meet the Celebrities and Millionaires of Competitive Gaming - bit.ly/eSports-P1
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[@tsuich00i]

I like documentaries like these. Nothing sad, tragic, dramatic or grotesque, but rather an in-depth look at a niche we'd never think twice about having known nothing about it before. Culture, community and the ideas we identify with are every bit as important as the news and events which pervade and preoccupy our time and attention. After all, there wouldn't be anything noteworthy to report on if not for the little things we care about adding up to something big. Compared to some of the coverage Vice has of violent episodes between mindless brutes, at least here we have people who do something they love, instead of fighting someone else's war, or making money for money's sake. I'm glad to see some small part of those interests highlighted here. It's refreshing.

[@jrlockwood3]

Watch Bronies on Netflix, you'll like it.

[@kademan13]

I totally agree, man. I hate it when documentaries have anything meaningful to say about the world we live in. Discourse scares me and scary ideas make me uncomfortable.

[@tsuich00i]

kademan13 How you could find something at fault from so simple a comment is beyond me. It has nothing to do with being "scared', it is simply nice to be indulge in a distraction now and again, and escape from a troubling world like these good people are doing here. Btw, if you want a confrontation, a real debate, rather than your silly, half-assed knit-picking, find me on my KZbin page and pick an "important" issue, and i'll *happily* oblige.

[@tsuich00i]

Copper Fronts Some people never learned how to channel their energies into something constructive, so rather than do anything "good" or sensible with their lives, they pick a fight with everyone. this creature is just such a case.

[@tsuich00i]

kademan13 lololol this from the guy who's latest commented vids include in their titles "shave head", "spring break" and "my little pony" Oh and I have plenty of interest, you simply lack the ability to decipher pleasure from purpose. But sure, lecture the rest of us on what's "meaningful". I'm not even sure what would qualify if this doesn't, and judging by your standards, I don't want to. And if you care so much, get off of KZbin then and do something meaningful with your life. Though something tells me you couldn't even if you tried.

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

4:44 I think it was the hypnotic power of that stache that actually saved pinball...

[@VICE]

Our latest documentary is a deep dive into the quirky and complex world of the planet's most skilled pinball players. Watch more American Obsessions: bit.ly/American-Obsessions

[@ex0duzz]

Links/Sources please? All i've heard is that he bought 4% of Vice and his son has been put on the board as a result. Where is the bit about him owning Vice? I really doubt they gave Murdoch control over the whole vice NEWS division, just because he bought 5% of vice. And no way does Murdoch have creative control(as in the style/look/) over what they publish And 100% definite that they will not be having editorial control whatsoever, even if they bought 99% of vice.

[@tedrohe9048]

Cool short doc on #pinball .

[@MrRizlaSmoker]

VICE Hey Vice what's the surf rock song at 4:06?

[@fixeverything4u]

I lost it when he started choking up at the end. You always want your children to be proud of what you've passed on as much as your pride in them. Very touching...I'm sure he's a great father....

[@hatelove7711]

Pinball is so fun i don't understand why it's not as popular anymore.

[@TheK1ngFiasco]

+Hate Love It's a combination of the machines having a lot of upkeep, and the pretty steep learning curve. Pinball is really fun, but when you put a dollar in a machine an inexperienced player can easily feel like they didn't get their money worth. Plus a typical bar owner doesn't like the idea of having to call a specialist to make repairs on a unit that takes up a bunch of space.

[@BenJabituya]

Video games were what eclipsed pinball.

[@ProjectMoff]

Eclipses pass, I've recently got into pinball due to virtual reality, a game called Pinball FX 2 VR, I'm now a true fan of pinball I really love it, I feel others may be converted through VR too and I would love to play on some of the great classic machines, I don't get out much but next time I do if I see a pinball machine I'll be having a few goes for sure!

[@paulbrookfield4133]

The persistence trend for VR trying to get a shoe-in shows that people do want physicality in their gaming - pinball offers that in a pure but somewhat abstract form. It's still completely relevant today, and will only be completely obsolete when we can simulate the physical sensation of anything whatsoever.

[@Starlitbox]

Cuz you can just download an app on your phone and play all the pinball you want. Personally I really enjoy Casino Night in Sonic 2

[@ProjectMoff]

I've recently fallen in love with pinball, I've been kicking myself for all the years I've glanced at one like it was nothing special, I never realized how deep they are, the stories and the quests, the creativity and craftsmanship of the machines, the fact that you can have control, I used to think it was completely random but I've been learning that it's almost like pool in the way it plays, in a way, if that makes sense, Virtual Reality is what helped me find pinball and I'm so happy I have found it, it really feels like I've fallen in love lol, it's given me joy... I'm not really a joyous person, thanks Pinball!

[@danielrubalcaba]

Every time my dad picked me up it was very rare that we would go to the local arcade. But when we did I would always have my eyes focused on that pinball machine. Once I played it, it changed my life. Some people just see it as a ball that just lands anywhere but they don't see the real picture. And when I played those machines a couple times I started to understand more about the world, more about the game. There are countless points to be made, ''Hit it here!'' and ''Shoot the ball there!'' It's so fun and the more you play it the more you master it, Just simply put.

[@MasterAsra]

I always loved looking at pinball art and hearing the sounds of the machines more than actually playing the games.

[@californiacombativesclub202]

Is big pinball paying you to say this!!? ;)

[@Diskhate]

Roger Sharpe seems like an awesome and genuine person; and i respect a lot what he has done. I may not be a huge fan, but i have many memories of me and my dad playing pinball during summer vacations; so i am, somehow, grateful to him.

[@Epimpin101]

That referee is the same referee from the documentary "King of Kong", which is possibly the best documentary I've ever seen.

[@AlystrZelland]

Mac DeMarco AND Pinball? I'm sold.

[@Thejuniorblurb]

OH MY GOD ITS MAC DEMARCO!!

[@Lumo95]

My reaction also!

[@Thebepob]

I was like hey 😀

[@SlickOilProductions]

Haha i wonder if they just ran into him playing pinball

[@pinoi78]

Just wanted to say there is a potential Donkey Kong kill screen coming up.

[@contentangel2131]

***** you just made my whole year.

[@Chillywilly8818]

That ways cracks me up I say it to my friend when hes trying to concentrate on a game

[@Coolgirlonline]

Hahahaha iconic

[@PinBallReviewerRepairs]

I need to go to more pinball expos. I do go to the Retro Gaming Expo in Portland, OR I love it as there is about 30 pins there that I try to play every one of them. I also have two pins of my own. My first pin I spent at least $10K on just to get it back to life and keep it from going into the garbage can. The game is only worth about $2K but for me it is about getting machines working and not so much about how much I put into the machine money wise. I do have tshirts and stuff and other means to try to help me with pinball parts I need. I think I could die happy if I could meet Roger I think we are the same in our pinball passion and wanting to see it come back in full force. :)

[@MrJ1S]

it's hilarious the things ppl fight against. How do u wake up and have "make sure no one plays pinball" #1 on your to do list. Human beings are sick.

[@MrJ1S]

***** i wake up with an illustrious glow that would outshine Liberace's closet. go get your shine box mighty mouse

[@MrJ1S]

***** everyone wants to do something w/ my face. take a number and sit lucky charms

[@mefilmmaking]

Yup

[@kylem1112]

Mr. J1S we all are different and have different intrests,upbringings, expiriences. and personalities how is that complicated for you to understand?

[@MrJ1S]

***** and my experience, interests, upbringing have lead me here to type in the youtube comment section that the ppl who tried to ban pinball are morons.

[@fenomozo9108]

The way in wich Mac Demarco describes Pinball is brilliant. I´m happy that one of my favourite artist has this level of apreciation for one of my favourite hobbies.

[@killercaos123]

I can't believe they didn't make this into a 20 minute video. this was fascinating. I wanted to see more!!!

[@Dmv216661]

Pinball is one of the most fun game styles around. Once you realize that there's was more to it than banging balls around you get hooked.

[@Caligula138]

Awesome video! My only wish was that it was longer and that you showed Lyman Sheets playing. Hes a beast!

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

I don't know why someone hasn't rigged two together. You could have pinball battle. Just have the scoreboard over the ridge in the middle. Not me though, I'm an idea guy.

[@ThePeacemakernow]

Im an idea guy too :P you mean like trying to shoot the pinball into the opponents "goal" ? With barricades etc. inbetween? With a red ball and a blue ball. wow

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

Totally. Picture the bonus ball frenzy that might ensue.

[@ThePeacemakernow]

Mike Oxsbigg lol. hysterical. + deactivating ramps of opponent. Many intereaction possiblities.

[@ThePeacemakernow]

found a patent : www.google.com/patents/US3675927 lol. ;) funny idea.

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

Shocked it didn't take off like a concord. I'd hella watch a tournament.

[@jcha]

Dear vice Here in Milwaukee, there will be an event called Midwest gaming. I was hoping that you're team would be intreated in making a film during that week. My high school English teachers husband is the co founder. Thanks

[@kobe123435]

i love how mac demarco is just randomly there

[@sabrinareitmeyer2545]

I love pinball! There needs to be more pinball places.

[@samfitzpatrick1866]

Where is the 3d Spaceball Cadet?

[@crashguy4196]

It's a demo version of Space Cadet from the CD-ROM game, "Full Tilt! Pinball"

[@vampyrelilo]

Had no clue about the pin ball culture. I just thought I was just some kid that really loved the classic pinball because it felt more real than any xbox or Playstation game could ever try. Cant beat the art of what goes into the machines. If I could, I would build one.

[@colinjones439]

“It’s like crack” This man has obviously never done crack

[@TheStereo3000]

Great video, well done to all involved.

[@infinitypoker6383]

I love them the dad was so precious

[@JavierISampedroTNF]

I didn´t imagine that pinball was such a great movement. Very interesting piece.

[@k5835]

What a special documentary, so much passion for pinball, something we perceive to be so common, can draw comparisons to the dedication some Japanese people have for sushi, like in jiro dreams of sushi, his "stuck" making and selling sushi, but he's going to be the best damn sushi maker in the world!

[@bob5589]

And I'm sitting here just waiting to see the stache play, they didn't even include it !

[@screwthenet]

I am fascinated by the history of entertainment machinery, and going back to the old peg board games, early slot machines and vending machines of the 19th century and before, the total history of arcade games is so cool! PINBALL ROCKS!

[@koolaid5684]

When I can comfortably afford it, I want a big ass pinball machine in my house.

[@livefreefearless]

This short takes me back. Very Good! Thank You #VICE..

[@scarynightcrew]

OMG I was so surprised to see old chap WALTER DAY ("Pro Game Refree") at 1:51 :D I remember him from THE KING OF KONG documentary (was is a "mockumentary" anyway?). big fan :)

[@Polyfusia]

Neat little piece. Reminds me vaguely of The King of Kong, which was a great documentary.

[@narkmoble]

I want a framed photo of 'Mayor Laguardia destroying a "Bally Bumper"'. That is too wild.

[@nightmarereject]

What an awesome dad. Pinball is comming back. Not like it went anywhere but I can't find any near me. Hopefully its gets real big again then I'll try and open my own pinball arcade.

[@GFkilla17]

I wanna try the new big lebowski table coming out

[@StephenPhen]

Great find!

[@Dannyhorgan81]

Looking forward to this series. Would be amazing if you could do a mini doc on avid DDR players.

[@chase2247]

My city isn't allowed any arcades at all because when it was allowed appearently to many people where hanging around there and it was to much of a distraction so now I can't really ever play arcade games unless I go to another city

[@urbster1]

this is a very nice, sweet documentary on a wonderful game!

[@BlueFoxAwesome]

I never thought someone could be very vocal while playing a pinball machine. Once I release the plunger, I go completely silent and my eyes are glued to the ball.

[@georgewilson7432]

He truly is a pinball wizard.

[@supergiantmagicfrog]

My dad told me that back in the day here (in the province of Quebec/Canada) the church (that had a really strong politic grip) got pinball banned for the same reason the politician in the us was saying (corrupting the kids etc..). I never knew it wasn't a Quebec only thing, ty vice for the history lesson!

[@techstyle123]

I've never really bothers with the pinball machines I was on street fighter or final fight....but the art work on these machines is fabulous so colourful there is some pure skill in them players ...I love watching stuff about 80s 90s arcade era....vice is awsome

[@nicholasf3452]

I fuckin love these weird vice documetaries

[@BryanKerr1]

Kroll Show wants their title sequence back

[@vwgolfer1873]

Love Pinball. I got the Pinball Arcade for PS4 and always get the new seasons when they come out. It was cool to see alot of the same tables i got on there in this video

[@roudyf]

Somebody should build the Windows 3D Pinball - Space Cadet in real life....good old days

[@904PinballZine]

Pinball is in an up swing that's kinda hard to explain but easy to understand. Long live pinball, I make a living with these machines and will do so as long as possible.

[@keeganphillips7541]

Wow this is cool I never knew there was so much history with pinball

[@Darksagan]

Vice always has the most interesting docs.

[@hiwayM9]

I do not consider myself a gamer- I sort of did when younger as I grew up with this- from early pinball like the Williams machines through the pong and pacman, and into modern digital gaming with Tekken... but I love pinball. The old wooden machines the best. Modern gaming is a whole other world of strategy and digital media and interactions- I wouldn't dare imply a gamer label now as it would be a lie- people that "game" are a subculture now and the commitment is far more than dropping a quarter in a slot to spend an idle half hour or so in a convenience store or arcade while waiting on friends. I still play games on my phone- digital pinball. Props to the folks at Zen because they are who allows me to mix the old pinball love with the media and magic of video, and the convenience of a device in my pocket. Pinball rules!

[@GFkilla17]

***** 'pinball arcade' by farsight studios recreates actual real tables you can play in videogame form.

[@hiwayM9]

GFkilla17 Hope they send you a kickback or attaboy... because I am a sucker for that. In fact- excuse me... gotta go!

[@stevenadams3533]

Fantastic watch

[@TheManfromthemindtwo]

Pinball is pretty damn intense...

[@XTheSonofTheSunX]

i cuss a lot too when i play pinball, the words flow like a mountain stream

[@lazylion420]

fuck yeah this is Vice at its best. short, insightful, concise, informative, funny, with a dash of emotion at the end that leaves you smiling. and now I'm interested in pinball!

[@robertjames7881]

Me and my son was at that show we took a harlem globetrotter and a stern hot hand they were side by side . This was a good show got me a new led driver for my globe trotters now it's all led bulbs

[@JimmyDali]

Pinball was, is and always will be my first true love.

[@Isaac-gh5ku]

Before the video game arcade machines of the late 70s and 80s, there was the pinball machines. Now I'm wondering what other machines they used in the arcade to have before video games took over since arcades has been around longer before they become well-known for large coin-operated video game machines.

[@ClbnaVGM]

Ok thank you. I didn't know pinball machines were banned.

[@sebastienboucher4387]

yeah same and they doing a movie now about it crazy right

[@DHU11]

damn i love pinball machines. my neighbour in the netherlands used to have one in his garage and we'd play on it all the time. havent used one in a long time though. only on an old xp computer haha.

[@mrgrinch14]

All I can think about when I play pinball is the swearing son. "FUCK I'M SO STUPID"

[@strongxhands]

PLEASE do Street Fighter in this series, I beg you Vice. On my knees

[@user-sd7qt3hy8l]

it's 2015 and i got a brand new laptop and the first app i downloaded was the pinball game lol. I love pinball too. The best pinball one was probably that windows XP pinball game that came standard with the OS

[@dr.awkward9075]

Does anybody know which game Roger Sharpe was playing when he called his shot?

[@lissin6386]

whats the song at the start??

[@vitkomusic6624]

I can tell you one thing. I started pinball 2 years ago. And the thrill you get is the same as gambling however you don't loose any money. Just paying for its expensive maintenance ;) in London they have pinball center ;)

[@CarlosGonzalez-bw2fd]

Recién termino de ver la película, Pinball the man who saved the game, maravillosa y que bueno este documental que muestra al gran Roger Sharpe, bella película y bella toda la historia alrededor de este juego, lo jugué en mi juventud allá por los años 78, 80 en adelante y hasta la fecha cuando se encuentra un lugar donde estén estas maquinas.

[@Fixie4life]

WHAT UP! ALAMEDA IN THE HOUSE! LUCKY JUJU GETTING LOVE! Good look Vice, Ill remember this. Im gonna go there this Friday. Its been too long

[@McSquidification]

What is the song at the beginning? "Try and keep up"

[@Epimpin101]

This is very interesting. I never knew that pinball had this kind-of a history.

[@astylessss]

I have one question, how much power does the average machine consume?

[@MrJago0]

GREAT JOB

[@ECsponger2]

If you're into pinball machines and arcade games, check out TNT Amusements here on KZbin - based out of Philly, the rebuild old machines, shuffle alleys, arcades, replace electronics and hand-paint cabinets, and break them down into extensive videos - often highlighting one or two particular games in a video. It's awesome. I'm a bit of a nerd for loving it so much.

[@TTTHC]

Does anyone remember that pinball game "Pin Bot" from Nintendo? Towards the end of the game a giant lizard comes out of no where and eats the ball. That was a great game.

[@rustOfunk]

Got my vote for world's greatest dad.

[@2118jmesa]

It needs more Mac Demarco

[@9385dee7]

Yay vice is back to making cool docs

[@thebearstreetballs]

I can buy weed at a shop in California and can't play pinbal hahahahahahahahaha that's great

[@bojidarmartinov5949]

THEBROWNSTAIN MURICA IS SMARTTT

[@CosmicFuzzFM]

What I don't understand.. is how they even considered it "gambling"... there's no possible return, just points on a scoreboard, right? da fuck...

[@maunderingofacabal]

Skunky Vibes They said in the documentary that "people were betting on games". You can make anything gambling.

[@CosmicFuzzFM]

so I guess they should criminalize hot dog eating contests too then xD

[@maunderingofacabal]

With that kind of twisted logic in the early 20th century they could have banned anything

[@CosmicFuzzFM]

The justice system is so fucked.

[@spacegarnaal]

Skunky Vibes there's also the fact that you can actually be good at it. and make the shots you want all the time. Thats not gambling, thats skill

[@film79]

I hate that he has any doubt that his kids wouldn't be proud of him. It's very obvious they all love and respect each other very much.

[@glennandrews7443]

I would LOVE to go to this, but I live outside of the USA. I am an excellent pinball player and I have played countless machines. I have played pinball for the past 40 years, but have not touched a real, cabinet game since the late 1990's since I now live in China. But I do have a game on my iPad called Pinball Arcade which is a simulation.

[@harrybayfield9910]

Came for Pinball stayed for Mac Demarco

[@kellychan3023]

And now there's a movie about this!

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

I could see Pinball a type of gambling (if people back in the beginning/mid 1990's made money bets on high scores). I love Pinball (parents used to own bolth "Triple Strike" by William's entertainment & "Flash Gordon" by (I think) Bally when I was a kid).

[@HDLowrider03]

I know that right now, the covid has many places shut down, but in Google ,type, pinball museum, and see what places might be near you in order to check out some of these sweet machines LIVE. As for digital gameplay, there are many platforms to choose from and some popular ones are: The Pinball Arcade, Pinball FX3, and Zaccaria Pinball. But, I am sure that if you are watching this particular video, you already know all this info. Haha. I am just putting out more info for anyone that is interested.

[@brandonspears2028]

OMG Navy Pier! Did you guys go on the ferris wheel?

[@scarynightcrew]

thats a heart-warming ending

[@TheAmazingAriel]

I love vice for stuff like this. I had no idea that people were so into pinball.

[@TheShenmueMaster]

I cant wait to go to papa next year for the first time!!, missed this last one that just happend.

[@SynthetikGretyl89]

Anyone know what the first song that plays is, in the intro?

[@johnnyholliday8784]

When I think pinball, I think "rebellion".

[@opticrainbow]

I'd love to know more about the corruption behind pinball machines, and how it seems that the majority of them are fixed, where it's like magnets underneath the main board will sometimes turn on and push a ball in a direction that it was not headed. I don't say this out of gamer rage - I really feel like there are many machines that cause losses to get more money out of a player. I'm 99% sure about this.

[@noober008]

you guys should make one of these for MTG

[@traplover6357]

pinball obsession ban for being addicting? dude, might as well make a mobile device ban with that logic

[@dasdasdus]

Hong Khuu Pool/billiard was also banned for the same thing as being a bad influence to children anda way to gamble.

[@jimmyhuesandthehouserocker1069]

I hated living in Ohio because replays were outlawed. Fortunately, I lived near Pennsylvania and I could go over there to play replay pinball. They also had the gambling pinballs, with 25 holes and no flippers and you kept putting in dimes to get the best odds

[@evil999]

whats the intro song?