The PEOPLE v. One Mechanical Device

The circuit court of Rock Island County, upon a petition filed by the State’s Attorney, found that a mechanical device commonly referred to as a pinball machine was a gambling device and ordered its destruction. On appeal by the legal owners the Appellate Court for the Second District affirmed the finding and order; we, in turn, have granted a petition for leave to appeal in order to review the interpretation placed upon the controlling statute by the courts below.

The statute in question, herein called the Gambling Device Act was enacted for the stated purpose of prohibiting the use of…