Mafia and NJ arcade games rumor from back in the day

[Gregolso]

Was talking to a friend who used to run a pizzeria back in the late 70's and thorough the 80's and he was telling me that back then the mafia basically ran the Arcade game routes, and his games had 2 modes. One was the normal arcade mode, and the other for special times was it would run as a video slot machine. He said he had a switcher that he could flip that would turn the game back into regular mode if someone came up that wasn't known. Anyone else heard about this or should I just call bs to it?

 

[8bitnintendo]

Was talking to a friend who used to run a pizzeria back in the late 70's and thorough the 80's and he was telling me that back then the mafia basically ran the Arcade game routes, and his games had 2 modes. One was the normal arcade mode, and the other for special times was it would run as a video slot machine. He said he had a switcher that he could flip that would turn the game back into regular mode if someone came up that wasn't known. Anyone else heard about this or should I just call bs to it?

I wouldn't doubt it. I've heard many credible stories and seen some of these sneaky gambling devices firsthand. You didn't do any type of arcade or boardwalk booth unless the mafia was involved back East.

 

[andrewb]

I could tell you, but it would put your life in danger.

 

[DLP]

Yup... I'm from NJ and always heard the same rumors..... Cash business...

 

[YeastLord]

Yup... I'm from NJ and always heard the same rumors..... Cash business...

Oh yeah.
One of my childhood friends family was in the vending business. It was like Goodfellas at the CopaCabana at their house.