Shattering News

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Jan 10, 2007

Analysis

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TL;DR

Peru destroys 1,000 illegal pinball machines in gambling crackdown.

Summary

Peru's National Tourist Board destroyed approximately 1,000 illegal pinball-like machines on January 10, 2007, with authorities claiming they were gambling devices targeting children. The machines—estimated at $350 each—were confiscated as part of a crackdown on illegal gaming in poor Lima neighborhoods, with another 1,200 machines awaiting destruction.

Key Claims

Peru's National Tourist Board (DNT) destroyed approximately 1,000 illegal pinball machines on January 10, 2007
high confidence · Official action reported by Peruvian authorities; specific date and quantity provided
The destroyed machines were estimated to be worth approximately $350,000 total, or $350 each
high confidence · Mercedes Araoz, Peru's Minister of Internal Commerce and Tourism, provided valuation
Another 1,200 confiscated machines are pending destruction
high confidence · Peruvian authorities statement; additional machines reportedly being sought
The machines were confiscated at the end of the previous year (late 2006) by Peruvian police working with the DNT
high confidence · Authorities' timeline of confiscation and destruction process
The machines were found predominantly in poor suburbs of Lima including San Juan de Lurigancho and Santa Anita
high confidence · Specific neighborhoods mentioned as search locations by DNT

Notable Quotes

“What we are seeing here is the destruction of illegal pinball machines. Basically, they are machines that orientated toward and affect children - because these pinball machines and the like create unhealthy addictions among young people like addiction to gambling.”
Mercedes Araoz, Peru's Minister of Internal Commerce and Tourism — Official rationale for destruction; frames machines as gambling/addiction devices targeting youth
“OK, so they're not exactly classic Williams, Bally or Gottliebs and seem to have more in common with a slot machine than a pinball one, but they do have glass over a playfield of some description with rebound posts and rubbers.”
Pinball News author — Clarifies that destroyed machines were not traditional pinball games but hybrid gambling devices; acknowledges the distinction between legal pinball and illegal gambling machines

Entities

Peru's National Tourist Board (DNT)organizationMercedes AraozpersonPeruvian policeorganizationWilliamscompany Ballycompany GottliebcompanySan Juan de LuriganchoeventSanta Anitaevent

Topics

Regulatory action and gaming prohibitionprimaryGambling and addiction concerns targeting youthprimaryIllegal gaming machines vs. legitimate pinballprimaryInternational pinball industry newssecondary

Sentiment

neutral(0)— Article is factual and informative, reporting on government action. Tone is matter-of-fact with light humor in the 'Nooooooo!' aside, but the destruction of machines is presented objectively without advocacy for either position (legitimate concern about gambling vs. loss of gaming machines).

Transcript

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Here at Pinball News headquarters we have links into all the major news agency wire feeds looking for pinball stories. But in truth, 99% of them are actually refer to earnings and mergers by Japanese pachinko manufacturers, which reporters love to mistakenly refer to as "pinball-like games". However, when a headline such as "Peruvian authorities destroy 1,000 illegal pinball machines" appears on the screen, our attention is most definitely captured. As so it seems the National Tourist Board (DNT) in Peru have destroyed some one thousand illegal pinball machines geared towards use by young people. Peruvian police had previously worked with members of the country's tourist board to confiscate the illegal machines at the end of last year and have now decided what to do with their haul. Before the screams of "Nooooooooooooo!" vibrate around the world, it's worth seeing exactly what these game were. OK, so they're not exactly classic Williams, Bally or Gottliebs and seem to have more in common with a slot machine than a pinball one, but they do have glass over a playfield of some description with rebound posts and rubbers. Whatever their relationship to the game we know and love, a thousand of these games went under the crusher on the 10th January 2007. Mercedes Araoz, the Minister of Internal Commerce and Tourism said "What we are seeing here is the destruction of illegal pinball machines. Basically, they are machines that orientated toward and affect children - because these pinball machines and the like create unhealthy addictions among young people like addiction to gambling. Kids are affected by the prolonged use of these machines and they are found everywhere in Peru." Araoz, who oversaw the destruction said she believes the machines are worth around $350,000 or an average of $350 each. But these 1,000 games may just be the tip of the iceberg. Authorities say there are another 1,200 confiscated machines yet to be destroyed and the hunt is on to find even more in the poor suburbs of Lima like San Juan de Lurigancho and Santa Anita. Members of the DNT are now working with Peruvian police to dig up more information on the locations of these illegal pinball machines. Anyone wanting save these games had better get their trailer down to Peru sharpish as further crushings are expected any day now. Back to the front page