# Joe Kaminkow States that Jersey Jack Pinball has the Harry Potter License

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-05-14  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/joe-kaminkow-states-that-jersey-jack-pinball-has-the-harry-potter-license

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## Analysis

Joe Kaminkow, a Stern Pinball collaborator through Kapow Pinball, posted on Facebook claiming Jersey Jack Pinball has secured the Harry Potter pinball license, then deleted the message. The post provided what appears to be leaked confirmation of a major licensing deal, marking an unusual instance of a licensing announcement coming from an outside industry figure rather than the manufacturer itself.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Jersey Jack Pinball has secured the Harry Potter license for pinball — _Joe Kaminkow's Facebook post, later deleted; Knapp Arcade author assesses as 'most likely true'_
- [HIGH] Joe Kaminkow posted the leak via Facebook and subsequently deleted it — _Knapp Arcade article reports direct observation of the post and its deletion_
- [HIGH] This is unusual—a manufacturer's license being leaked by an outside industry figure rather than the manufacturer itself — _Knapp Arcade author notes this is rare, though Spooky Pinball previously leaked Stern's Godzilla acquisition_
- [MEDIUM] Prior social media hints from Jack Guarnieri in February suggested JJP was pursuing Harry Potter — _Knapp Arcade referenced earlier February speculation based on Guarnieri's comment_

### Notable Quotes

> "Hey Pinball fans here's the scoop- Jersey Jack has secured the license for Harry Potter for pinball- no waiting - no speculation - they locked it in"
> — **Joe Kaminkow**, n/a
> _Direct public leak of major licensing deal; unusual source (industry collaborator rather than manufacturer)_

> "I don't think that I've ever seen a manufacturer ever leak another company's secured license before"
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**, n/a
> _Frames the rarity and unusual nature of Kaminkow's public disclosure_

> "in my personal opinion JJP most likely does have the Harry Potter license and the 'He was Trolling' theory is dumb"
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**, n/a
> _Author's credibility assessment; dismisses skepticism about Kaminkow's legitimacy_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Joe Kaminkow | person | Long-time pinball industry veteran; recent Stern Pinball collaborator through Kapow Pinball brand; posted the Harry Potter license leak on Facebook |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Premium boutique pinball manufacturer; reported to have secured Harry Potter license per Kaminkow's leak |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; Kaminkow collaborates with through Kapow Pinball brand; previously took Godzilla license from Spooky Pinball |
| Kapow Pinball | company | Brand/partnership through which Joe Kaminkow collaborates with Stern Pinball |
| Spooky Pinball | company | Boutique manufacturer that previously leaked when Stern acquired the Godzilla license |
| Jack Guarnieri | person | Jersey Jack Pinball figure; social media comment in February reportedly hinted at Harry Potter pursuit |
| Harry Potter | game | Entertainment IP; reportedly licensed to Jersey Jack Pinball for pinball game development |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Theme Licensing, Jersey Jack Pinball Strategy, Industry Leaks and Announcements
- **Secondary:** Joe Kaminkow's Role in Pinball Industry, Competition Between Manufacturers

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Author treats the Harry Potter licensing news as significant and positive for JJP; skeptical about dismissals of the leak's legitimacy; overall tone is excited about the industry development

### Signals

- **[market_signal]** Harry Potter pinball has been subject of community speculation and hints for months; Kaminkow's leak confirms what was previously rumor (confidence: medium) — Knapp Arcade references February speculation based on Jack Guarnieri social media comment; Kaminkow's leak provides confirmation
- **[leak_detection]** Joe Kaminkow publicly posted and then deleted confirmation of Jersey Jack Pinball's Harry Potter license acquisition on Facebook (confidence: high) — Knapp Arcade author observed and reported the post before deletion; direct quote provided
- **[licensing_signal]** Harry Potter license acquired by Jersey Jack Pinball, representing a major entertainment IP deal for the boutique manufacturer (confidence: high) — Joe Kaminkow's public statement on Facebook; author assessment based on industry experience
- **[personnel_signal]** Joe Kaminkow's position as both industry veteran and Stern Pinball collaborator (via Kapow) gives his leak credibility but also raises questions about relationship dynamics between manufacturers (confidence: medium) — Author notes Kaminkow's dual role; unusual for someone collaborating with Stern to leak competitor's news

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## Transcript

I just got back from celebrating Mother's Day with my family and my son's soccer game to this super surprising news. Long time industry veteran and recent Stern Pinball collaborator through his Kapow Pinball brand, Joe Kaminkow posted the following message on his Facebook page:

Hey Pinball fans here’s the scoop- Jersey Jack has secured the license for Harry Potter for pinball- no waiting - no speculation - they locked it in

The message has since been deleted. I don't think that I've ever seen a manufacturer ever leak another company's secured license before (Edit: I guess that Spooky Pinball did when Stern swooped in and took the Godzilla license out from under them), but this seems pretty legit to me. Whether it's true or not remains to be seen, but in my personal opinion JJP most likely does have the Harry Potter license and the "He was Trolling" theory is dumb.

Back in February I speculated here that JJP has the Harry Potter license after a social media comment by Jack Guarnieri (link below) so this isn't the first time there's been smoke around this theory:

Jersey Jack Pinball...Two Down, One to Go. Harry Potter Coming Soon?

https://www.knapparcade.org/post/jersey-jack-pinball-two-down-one-to-go-harry-potter-coming-soon

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 05df8e13-a09b-4225-bffe-01d10f3405b0*