Understanding Japan’s Obsession with Pachinko Parlours

Understanding Japan’s Obsession with Pachinko Parlours

 

Pachinko is one of Japan’s favourite pastimes. Its popularity has grown exponentially since its emergence as a children’s game in the 1920s. The game soon gained popularity among adults and became a total phenomenon as the 20th century progressed.

The game plays a significant role in Japan’s economy. Extraordinarily, it now contributes around 4% to Japan’s GDP! In the late 1990s it was even higher, reaching a peak of 5.6% in 1999. This makes the Pachinko industry twice as profitable as the automobile export industry. It also employs more people than the entire automobile industry. Pachinko now produces more revenue than the gambling capitals of Macau, Singapore and Las Vegas combined. Profits from the industry amount to around 30 trillion yen each year. And when we say “industry” this doesn’t necessarily mean Japan’s casinos, but there is definitely an element of gambling involved as we’ll explain in more detail later.

Japanese cities are now dotted with Pachinko halls. There are different types to attract different kinds of clientele, as Pachinko’s popularity in Japan is consistent across all demographics. Initially more popular among men, more and more women have become enthusiastic players since the 1980s.

The game is often described in the West as “vertical pinball.” While this isn’t entirely accurate, the game does share some similarities with pinball, as well as with more standard slot machines. The game involves small steel balls which are shot into a vertical playing range and run around a track. Players use a lever on the side of the machine to play. The objective is to land as many of the balls as possible into small cups at the bottom of the range. While the machines used to be much more mechanical, they are now increasingly electronic.

Players also try to match symbols, as with a standard slot machine. When they match three of the same symbols, many small steel balls exit the machine into a plastic box, which can then be exchanged for tokens. When a player wins, the machine’s lights flash and the song changes.

While pachinko is essentially a game of chance, some “pachinko pros” identify patterns to exploit the machines more effectively. For example, newer machines are programmed to give out more wins to encourage players to return. Some also believe that there are better times of day to play particular machines. It’s not uncommon for players to win significant sums of money, in some cases as much as 200,000 yen in a day. However, a player can also lose up to 10,000 yet in as little as forty minutes of playing time without a win.

Other legal gambling industries in Japan, such as horse, bicycle and boat racing, are operated by the government. Pachinko, however, operates through a legal loophole and is “government tolerated.” Rather than playing directly for money, players play for small metal balls which can be exchanged for tokens. These tokens can then be exchanged for a range of prizes, including cash, at a different location. These locations are usually in different buildings that are very near the pachinko parlour.

Pachinko machines also usually take prepaid cards rather than cash. Despite the enormous popularity of pachinko, its nuanced legal status makes it a somewhat marginalised industry. It is not always seen as a “respectable” line of work among the Japanese middle classes and many of the parlours are operated by Korean immigrants.

Pachinko is often seen as a stress-relief activity for Japan’s salarymen or women with many responsibilities in the home. The style of parlour varies depending on the kind of players it is intended for. However, there are issues around addiction and compulsive gambling. In 1999, 29% of pachinko players reported that they felt they had an addiction to the game. There are other social problems associated with the game, such as neglect of the children of compulsive players.

The Japanese authorities have worked hard to address these issues since the 1990s. Some pachinko parlours now also offer small prizes and minimal expenditure from players in order to move the focus off the gambling aspect and onto the game itself. Advertisements for responsible playing are also visible throughout most parlours and in society more broadly.

Pachinko’s popularity may also be beginning to decline. There are almost a third fewer parlours than there were in 2005, and many that were already struggling have been forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Younger players also often prefer video games to pachinko.

Still, pachinko remains a cultural phenomenon and an intrinsic part of Japanese life. It can be fascinating to witness such a culturally specific pastime in action. Some pachinko parlours mainly cater to serious players. However, there are plenty of others where the staff will be delighted to introduce you to the game.…

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Source: Eastern European Gaming