pinball was illegal for over 30 years in america. people believed it was addictive like gambling [largely believed before the invention of the flippers in 1947] and causing kids to skip school and spend their lunch money on the game. it was legalized in 1976.

this is james b. elkin, portland crime boss. he became one of three main organizers of portland’s coin-operated gaming machine operations, which included illegal the pinball machine industry in portland.