Giant Bomb Presents: Oakland Just Recently Made Pinball Legal

Photo Credit: Collector's Quest.

Wait... pinball used to be ILLEGAL? o_O

Haven't listened to the podcast, so I don't know if it is discussed within, (it probably is) but pinball started off primarily as gambling machines before the more familiar high-score chasing tables that we think of today.

edit - have listened and yes, it is indeed covered.

Great news!

I got really into pinball after watching the Pinball Arcade QL a few years ago. Now I have three machines at my house. Thanks Jeff!

Pinball is not a crime!!!!!

The history of pinball in the US is pretty fascinating all around, really.

I can't wait to be an overnight pinball champion, too!

So pinball used to be a game of chance instead of skill? Crazy stuff!

Can we get a Medieval Madness Quick Look?

Patrick Klepek, bringing us hot scoops from the dangerous wasteland that is the internet!

does this mean pinball used to work like pachinko?

Pinball news on Giant Bomb!

I believe this is one of many hold over laws from the years surrounding prohibition. It's actually in several outlier areas. It's always been strange.

It's nice that Oakland is going modern, though. I guess.

I think this is being celebrated by Sony Computer Entertainment America at the moment, because a trio of tables for The Pinball Arcade are currently FREE!

Well now my ideas for a bootleg pinball speak easy went to the shitter. Oh well, let there be bumpers!

@somejerk Thanks for the heads up, I have had pinball downloaded to my ps4 for a couple weeks but only the trials, would have more than likely totally missed that had you not mentioned it. Much Appreciated!

Now that its legal has it lost all its appeal, are the shady back alley deals at 3am for pinball going away now? Also what a crazy thing to make against the law.

That was super-cool coverage. Would love to see (hear?) more of these short telephone interviews about interesting news.

Huh? Real pinball machines are definitely still being manufactured. Look up Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball..

Thank you for this clarification

Drink any time either the interviewer or interviewee says "y'know". (Warning: you will die.)

@branthog: Pinball machines are still very much being manufactured...

- Stern: http://www.sternpinball.com

- Jersey Jack: http://www.jerseyjackpinball.com

- Retro Pinball: http://www.retropinball.net

- John Popadiuk: http://www.pinballinventor.org

- Skit-B: http://www.skitbpinball.com

- Quetzal Pinball: http://www.quetzalpinball.com

- Marsaplay: http://www.marsaplay.com

- Whizbang: http://whizbangpinball.blogspot.com/

- Tilt Warning Customs: http://www.tiltwarning.com

- Heighway Pinball: http://www.heighwaypinball.com/

- Multimorphic http://www.multimorphic.com/

- Dutch Pinball http://www.dutchpinball.com/

To name a few.

Variety hour music.

Guys check out this Documentary

http://www.specialwhenlitmovie.com/

I'm not sure what seems more antiquated, hearing about Pinball being illegal or Radio Shack sponsoring an event.