A murder, or even a “war” over the operation of pinball machines may seem ridiculous by today’s standards

“A murder, or even a “war” over the operation of pinball machines may seem ridiculous
by today’s standards, though actually the issue was present throughout much of America, and
particularly rural and southern Illinois during the mid-twentieth century. Rather than a game for
amusement, “operators” used pinball, from its inception in the 1930s and throughout the 1960s
for gambling. Significant profits from illegal gambling and its history with organized crime
created an environment of regional racketeers. They controlled territories like feudal lords,
ignoring state laws and sometimes resorting to violence to drive out competition. Rural areas
may have been particularly susceptible, where counties or small towns might significantly
increase revenue by charging small licensing fees for “amusement devices” and ignoring the
more nefarious usages. Tavern owners may have welcomed the machines as a means of
attracting customers or receiving a cut of the pinball profits. Meanwhile the owners or as they
often referred to themselves the “operators” of these machines often used any means possible to
ensure no matter the tavern, only their machines would be in use.” Link