Oakland is about to decriminalize the pinball machine - a staple of American arcades and bars that was outlawed 80 years ago when it was considered a gambling device.

Like thousands of cities across the United States, Oakland banned pinball in the 1930s because the machines - which then lacked flippers - were being used for gambling. People paid a nickel to play, and winners received cash payouts from a bartender, store owner or other proprietor.

"It had the illusion of skill but was mostly a game of chance, sort of like the coin toss at the county fair," said Michael Schiess, director of the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda. "All you had to do was pull the plunger back and see what happened next."

Oakland police confiscated pinball machines by the dozens and sent many to Alameda, where pinball was likewise outlawed but apparently where the rules were less enforced, Schiess said. Police gave them as gifts to their Alameda cohorts, he said.

Despite the bans, people still played pinball, just as they drank alcohol during Prohibition. Flippers were invented in the 1940s, and by the 1950s and '60s the game was more popular than ever. By then, most cities moved on to more pressing matters and the laws were largely forgotten.

Deades-old ban

But next week, the City Council's public safety committee is poised to reverse Oakland's law that bans pinball machines, as part of a broader look at gambling in the city. For Oakland's booming nightlife scene, the move is like a like a bonus game and high score, all rolled into one.

"I think it's great. People love pinball," said Adrien Smadbeck, a cook at Hi-Life, an Uptown pub that has 13 pinball machines and hosts a women's pinball league. "It's different than a video game. With pinball, I see a lot of people socializing and making friends. I'm glad the city is doing this."

It's still illegal in some cities and heavily regulated in others. Beacon, N.Y., about 40 miles north of New York City, shut down a pinball museum and arcade in 2010 because of its historical ban. In San Francisco, pinball is legal but owners need a permit from the entertainment commission.

It's still illegal in Alameda. The Pacific Pinball Museum had to register as a nonprofit and remove the coin slots from its machines to comply with the law. To play, visitors pay a flat fee for unlimited games.

In Oakland, the pinball ban has not been enforced since the World War II era. Pinball machines blink and clang in bars from Temescal to Sobrante Park.

At the Legionnaire Saloon on Telegraph Avenue, the pinball machines draw a steady crowd most nights - along with the 1970s funk jukebox, A's baseball games on TV and an extensive whiskey collection.

"People come in for the pinball, definitely," said Fu Akerele-Ale, a manager. "We have championships, all that. People really like it."

Focus shifts to gambling

For Councilman Noel Gallo, who heads the public safety committee, lifting the pinball ban is a great idea but secondary to an overall look at gambling in Oakland.

The pinball measure also includes a ban on Internet sweepstakes cafes, where customers can play online games for cash prizes. Like the early pinball games, Internet sweepstakes are mostly games of chance with cash payouts from shop owners.

The California Legislature is working on a statewide ban, but Gallo wants to see Oakland act sooner.

So far, the city has closed one such cafe and is working to close another, both in the Fruitvale area.

They've both been magnets for drugs, prostitution and robberies, Gallo said.

"What you see are poor people lined up on payday with their checks," he said. "We're not going to tolerate casinos in Oakland. But pinball - pinball, I have no problem with."

The measure goes before the public safety committee on Tuesday and, if it passes, to the full council in July.

Carolyn Jones is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: carolynjones@sfchronicle.com