IV. Bad Reputation
From THE Shadows to THE SPOTLIGHT
Senate Labor Rackets Committee opens investigation into the growth of underworld infiltration in the coin-operated machine business (1959).
Just as technological advancements throughout the postwar era were helping to produce more sophisticated and highly regarded games, the industry itself remained largely in the shadows for most of the 20th century. Pinball in particular couldn't seem to escape the seedy image of backroom gambling and underworld connections that seemed to follow it. Often lumped together with slot machines and Al Capone-style racketeering, the game was actually outlawed in most major cities with some bans officially lasting well into the 1970s.
Public sentiment would eventually begin to shift as coin-operated video games entered the scene in the 1980s, bringing a more family-friendly image to arcades. However, this new era brought its own challenges as concerns arose, particularly around teenagers spending too much time loitering in arcade establishments.
"Video games are bad for you? That’s what they said about rock and roll."
SHIGERU MIYAMOTO
Playing pinball and arcade video games (1977).
While off-the-books operations and so-called "gray area" games that promoted gambling have existed throughout the industry's history, legitimate manufacturers and operators worked hard to distance themselves from these activities and improve their reputation. Trade organizations were formed and strict self-regulation was implemented as the industry sought to establish itself as a legitimate form of entertainment.
Though the industry has largely moved past its controversial reputation, subtle reminders of this history persist. The "FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY" text prominently displayed on many machines serves as a lingering testament to an era when operators needed to explicitly distance themselves from gambling activities — a small but visible reminder of the industry's complex past.
