Final answer:
Pinball was banned in the mid 20th century in many American cities due to its perceived similarity to gambling, until its image shifted in the 1970s when it was argued to be a game of skill.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pinball was indeed originally banned in many American cities because it was considered similar to gambling. The perception was that pinball was a game of chance rather than skill, akin to slot machines, which were associated with gambling. This connection to gambling led to a widespread ban in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly during the 1940s when many cities enacted these bans. However, the perception of pinball changed in the 1970s after the argument was successfully made that the game required skill, leading to the reversal of many of these bans