How the once-illegal game of pinball came to be nationally celebrated

August 1st, 2024

Convention goers play on a bank of pinball machines at the Consumer Electronics Show, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Pinball has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade, and for those who love the game, today is considered National Pinball Day. Aug. 1 was chosen because it’s the birthday of the Pinball great Roger Sharpe. Sharpe is credited with helping legalize pinball in New York City when old city laws still connected the game to gambling and the mob.

“Originally, pinball machines were tied into gambling and mob, and there were games back in the day before flippers existed where it really wasn’t a game of skill, and the machines also paid out. There was a stigma associated with it that also needed to be undone,” said Josh Sharpe, son of Roger Sharpe.

Josh Sharpe is the president of the International Flipper Pinball Association, which ranks the world’s best players. His father is co-chairman, and his brother, Zach, is vice president.

In this feature, “City Lights” managing producer Kim Drobes shared the story behind Sharpe’s obsession with pinball, which led to the creation of National Pinball Day, and why fans of the game continue to be passionate about playing.