In a word NO. I grew up in the carnival business. My dad was in the business and I grew up as a carny brat. I started out as a ballboy and went from there. This was in the middle to late 1960's. The games have made a lot of changes since then.
There were a lot of flatstores and alibi games back then. Flatstores were the rigged or fixed games that you couldn't win and the alibi games were the ones that had excuses why you didn't win.
Most all the Flatstores have either been outlawed or are not allowed on the midways any more. Most all of the show owners nowadays do not need nor want the headaches and the complaints that come from these rip-off games. Besides most states now, inspect State and County Fairs. So most all the games have to be games of skill, some alibl games still get through because with the right knowledge and techniques you can win them. They are just harder, but they usually offer the bigger and better prizes.
There are also games of chance. Some states still allow them some do not. Believe it or not a simple game like the duckpond, which is or was a prize everytime game for little kids is illegal in some states because it's a game of chance.
There are other games of chance that are argued, like the quarter and dime tosses.
Where your dime or quarter has to land in a circle or a spot barely big enough to fit you win.
These I feel you flat have to get lucky. Now you can help your odds by playing when it is busier.
When the dimes or quarter build up on the table you have a greater chance of bumping one in.
So it's important to watch yours closely where they hit and where they end up.
Most of the games of skill you will know by the fact that on their signs they will say, One Prize Per Day. If you can win the game by skill they have to be able to say stop to the skillfull players. They don't like running a give away store. I am sure you have seen the people walking around the midways with arms full of stuffed animals.
I've written an Ebook about over 50 different canival games. Going through all of them and explaining what kind of game they are and how to win at them if you can.
