Pachinko is so popular in Japan because it is the closest Japanese can come to gambling legally. It is only legal to bet on public sports and the lottery. Japan has no land-based casinos; an integrated resort will be built in the next few years. Essentially, pachinko allows gamblers in Japan to gamble without breaking the law.
The game also carries enormous cultural significance in Japan. Japanese are proud people and they consider pachinko to be authentic Japanese. Its celebrated and documented history goes back to the early 1920s.
Top Reasons Why Pachinko is a Sweetheart Game to Japanese
– Through a legal gap, you can play it
Japan does not allow gambling with real money. However, you can still play Pachinko because of a gap in the gambling laws. Because you win prizes, not cash, you take those prizes to a store that is usually next door. Moreover, you can exchange the prizes for money when you finish playing. This is where nearby tuck shops come into play.
– Anyone can play the game because it is very easy
Pachinko mainly relies on luck rather than on skill. Therefore, anyone can play it, it involves simple rules and regulations.
– Pachinko is part of Japanese culture
The game allows the residents to relax and wind down after a long day’s work. Also, it is highly favored in most social gatherings, such as parties and family days. The Pachinko machines exist throughout Japan in high-traffic areas because of this. It is a way for people to unwind.
– Pachinko machines and parlors are everywhere in Japan
Japan is a pachinko country. They’re everywhere – along major streets, shopping malls, large buildings, and even remote areas. Recent stats show that Japan has more than 10,000 pachinko parlors. Each parlor has hundreds of pachinkos. The most exciting part is that pachinko parlors are open 24/7 in Japan and have relaxation zones, food, and drinks available.
Panchiko games can now also be played at some online casinos
– Pachinko is an incredibly thrilling game.
Pachinko has fast gameplay in which you launch small metallic balls into the machine. The objective here is to slot the balls into certain lucrative pockets. The click-clack sounds and flashy LED lights contribute to the excitement and adrenaline of playing pachinko. This combination makes pachinko so exciting and popular among Japanese.
– Pachinko is a low-risk gambling activity
The risk of losing big in a Pachinko game is low unless a player plays for hours. Also, it allows you to change between machines since the balls are parlor-specific. This means you can use them across different machines in the same hall.
How to play Panchiko
Step #1 – Select a machine.
Choose your machines carefully since each machine differs in the following:
- payout percentages
- Winning odds.
- minimum bet size
The payout and stake can change depending on the machine, the themes also change from machine to machine,
Step #2 – Start Playing
Once you identify your machine, follow these steps:
- Insert money into the slot of the machine.
- Then, push the button to receive your first set of gambling balls. Most Pachinko machines have this button on their right panels.
- Next, turn the knob to shoot balls. The aim is to hit the pegs located all over the Pachinko machine.
Step #3 – Winning at a Pachinko machine.
One of your pachinko balls has to enter the gate to win the jackpot. Once this happens, the machine reveals three numbers on the jackpot reels. If they match, you receive the winning silver balls.
Step #4 – The Payout and Rewards
Pachinko parlors are not allowed by the Japanese law to dispense hard-cash for balls won. Instead, winners receive a ticket and tokens they can exchange for non-cash goods.
If you still want to play, you can use the balls won to continue playing. Alternatively, you can take the colored card voucher to the nearest tuck shop. This is where you can exchange the tokens for real money.
How does Pachinko gambling work?
Pachinko gambling takes place mostly in gaming centers called pachinko parlors. They boast well-dressed employees and feature multiple rows of pachinko machines.
Under Japanese law, playing at a pachinko parlor is not considered gambling. That is because winners are not paid cash directly for the balls they won. They can receive tokens, non-cash prizes like teddy bears, or tickets. You can exchange these tokens and prizes at the “tuck shops” for cash. This is the loophole that the Japanese use to go around the gambling laws.
You will notice that most land-based Pachinko venues have a gift shop next to them.
How Pachinko Machines Work at Pachinko Parlors
- Pachinko has an upright board similar to pinball where the balls are played
- The player launches small steel balls into the pinball-like board. They will start bouncing off several pins and eventually land in certain pockets. The goal is to land the balls into pockets that trigger a payout.
- If the ball drops into the winning slot, you will get more balls as payout. You can insert these balls to play again or ask for prizes.
Old-School Pachinko Machines
Modern pachinko no longer look, feel, or work like the 1950s debut versions. They have made massive strides and leaps over the decades. The first pachinkos were nothing more than mechanical slot machines. They leaned more towards old-school pinball machines.
In those days, pachinko parlor operators regularly changed the positions of the pins inside the device to make the game more challenging and unpredictable. You might find a few of these mechanical pachinkos if you are lucky. They are simple to play, making them a good choice for novices.
Today’s pachinkos are fully electronic. They boast flashy LCDs with stunning graphics and well-developed symbols. Developers have incorporated new features and ideas into modern machines. We’re talking about koatari, jitan, and kakuhen. The latest even include minigames, jackpot systems, and several paytable modes.
We must also mention the pachislo. This is a cross-breed between a slot machine and a pachinko. Tokens take the place of beads, while levers and buttons replace joystick shooters. It’s a manual stop slot, meaning you can determine when to stop the spinning.
Modern Pachinko Parlor Machines
Pachinko machine operators are all over Japan and offer a variety of machines for you to choose from. Once you identify the right one for you …
- Firstly, you load a ball or several balls into the game after inserting a token into the slot. You will receive the tokens from the venue operator when you mention your desire to play.
- Then, turn the knob to release the balls into the game area and watch as they fall through the machine.
- Where the balls land on the playing field will determine your session outcome. However, you can improve your chances by timing their launch.
Payout Features of a Modern Pachinko Machine
– Catchers
Catchers increase your chances of getting more balls, which means more payout.
– Pins
Alternatively, pins throw your balls off course. Thus, it is advisable to avoid them when playing if you want to win big.
– Obstacles
These prevent your balls from entering the catchers by redirecting their path or eliminating them from the playing field.
– Doors
Pachinko machines have doors on their playing surfaces that surround the ball gates. Depending on how the doors open, a certain number of balls can pass through. As such, the more balls you get through the gates, the higher your chances of winning.
For example, you can win the jackpot from a single playing round if you get the maximum number of balls through the doors and gates. Then, if three of them enter the jackpot reel gates, you can spin for three-line combinations of similar characters and win the corresponding jackpot.
Online Pachinko Machines
You can also play Pachinko online. Additionally, most of the top operators now offer live online casinos. As such, the experience is just as good as the physical slot machines.
How much does Japan spend on Pachinko?
30 Trillion Yen per year
Recent statistics show that the average player will spend between 10,000 and 30,000 Yen per parlor visit. As such, Japanese gamblers spend an average of about 30 trillion Yen annually on Pachinko.
300,000 active employees
Additionally, Pachinko Gambling is a massive employer, with several sources claiming it employs over 300,000 people annually.
4% of Japan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Pachinko gambling accounts for nearly 4% of Japan’s annual gross domestic product. Part of this comes from Pachinko parlors purchasing an average of 1.5 million machines yearly.
Why Pachinko Gambling is One of Japan’s Top Revenue Earners
– It enjoys a legal status in a country that frowns upon gambling
Pachinko gambling is one of the gambling activities with legal status in Japan. As such, it is accessible to the masses, both residents and tourists and they can play Pachinko gambling without the fear of breaking the law.
– Culture
Pachinko has a special place in Japanese culture. That in and of itself makes it so appealing to patriotic Japanese. Most citizens start playing the game as a recreational activity from childhood. As such, it becomes a tradition that passes through the generations.
– High Distribution
Pachinko parlors are everywhere in Japan. As of writing, there are more than 100,000 parlos spread across the country. Tokyo alone has 730 pachinko parlors, while Saitama and Hiroshima have 444 and 239, respectively.
What is the difference between Pinball and Pachinko?
The main difference between pinball and pachinko is in the balls. Players insert small 11-millimeter metal steel balls into the pachinko machines. The balls can be removed from the machine and rentable by the players. On the flip side, pinball balls are fixed inside the machine and larger.
Positioning
Pinball machines are in the tilt position, but Pachinko machines are in the vertical position.
Pay-off
Pachinko has an automatic pay-off system resembling a slot machine, and Pinball does not.
Popularity
Pachinko has remained popular in Japan. However, Pinball has continued to lose favor since the introduction of electronic games.
Getting Started
Pachinko requires you to hire balls from the parlor vendor to play. Pinball already has the ball in the machine.
Reward
Once you hit the jackpot in Pachinko, you win more balls to exchange for much larger rewards. Pinball does not exchange balls for prizes.
Economy
Pachinko is one of Japan’s leading annual GDP contributors. It does so through:
- Its 60-year history of employing hundreds of thousands of Japan’s residents.
- Japanese gamblers spend over 30 trillion Yen annually on Pachinko gambling sessions.
- Japan’s Pachinko industry continues to advance with technology. You can now play the game online across various online live casino websites. They include:
- Bitcasino.io allows you to play with cryptocurrency.
- You can access Lucky Niki across all smart devices, including mobile, computer, and smart TVs.
- Leo Vegas, where you can also watch live streams of Pachinko gambling sessions.
Is pachinko still popular in Japan?
Yes, with over 10% of adult Japanese playing it regularly. Pachinko generates more than $200 billion in revenue, contributing around 4% of Japan’s GDP.
What do Japanese people think about the pachinko TV show?
Japanese people think Pachinko has some historical errors. The citizens have criticized the K-drama for painting Japan and Japanese people in a bad light.
Is there any skill to pachinko?
Yes, there is some skill needed. However, luck is more significant, and you need the skill to maneuver the levers and launch the balls to the right pockets.
Can tourists play Pachinko?
Yes, there are no official reasons to stop tourists from enjoying a game of pachinko.