Pachinko

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File:Pachinko machine 5.JPG
A modern pachinko machine, Galaxy Express 999-themed
File:Electric City Akihabara Pachinko.jpg
A pachinko parlor in Template:Langr

Template:Nihongo is a mechanical game originating in Japan that is used as an Template:Nowr and, muchTemplate:Nbspmore frequently, for gambling. Pachinko fills a niche in Japanese gambling comparable to that of the Template:Nowr in the Template:Nowr as a form of Template:Nowr, Template:Nowr gambling.

Pachinko parlors are widespread in Japan, and usually also feature a number of slot machines (called Template:Lang or Template:Lang); these venues look and operate similarly to casinos. Modern pachinko machines have both mechanical and electrical components.

Gambling for cash is illegal Template:Nowr inTemplate:NbspJapan, but the widespread popularity of Template:Nowr pachinko in Japanese society has enabled a specific Template:Nowr allowing it to exist. Template:Nowr won from games cannot be exchanged directly for money in the parlor, nor can they be removed from the premises or exchanged with other parlors. However, they can be legally traded to the parlor for Template:Nowr "special prize" tokens (Template:Ill), which can in turn be "sold" forTemplate:Nbspcash to a separate vendor Template:Nowr. These vendors (ostensibly independent from, but often owned by, the parlor owner) then sell the tokens back to the parlor at the same price paid for them—plus a small commission, creating a Template:Nowr—without technically violating the law.Template:Zwj<ref name="Kushner" />

By 1994, the pachinko market in Japan was valued at Template:JPYTemplate:NbsptrillionTemplate:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (nearly Template:US$Template:Nbspbillion; equivalentTemplate:Nbspto $Template:Format price inTemplate:NbspTemplate:Inflation/yearTemplate:ZwjTemplate:Inflation/fn). InTemplate:Nbsp1999, salesTemplate:Nbspand revenue from pachinko parlors contributed 5.6% of Japan's Template:Nowr, and they employed over Template:Nowr, 0.52% of all those employed inTemplate:NbspJapan.Template:Zwj<ref name="Wan">Template:Cite book</ref> However, the sales amount of these pachinko parlors is calculated based on the total amount that customers rented pachinko balls from pachinko parlors. It is said that on average, aboutTemplate:Nbsp85% of the money spent by customers in pachinko parlors is returned to the customers, so the sales of pachinko parlors are said to be aboutTemplate:Nbsp15% of the statistical amount.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, Japan's pachinko market generated more gambling revenue than that of Macau, Template:Nowr, and Singapore combined.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref> Pachinko gambling's Template:Nowr nature and tremendous profit historically resulted in considerable infiltration by yakuza, who used it as a vehicle for money laundering and racketeering.

Since the 1990s, however, this has been less of an issue due to police crackdowns.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" /> There were over 7Template:Nbspmillion pachinkos around the world inTemplate:Nbsp2018 with moreTemplate:Nbspthan half of them being inTemplate:NbspJapan.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In recent years, the pachinko market (the total amount of pachinko balls rented by customers from pachinko parlors) and the number of pachinko parlors inTemplate:NbspJapan have both continued to decline. The marketTemplate:Nbspsize inTemplate:Nbsp2022 was Template:JPYTemplate:Nbsptrillion, lessTemplate:Nbspthan half of the Template:JPYTemplate:Nbsptrillion inTemplate:Nbsp2005 when the market was at itsTemplate:Nbsppeak, and the numberTemplate:Nbspof pachinko parlors inTemplate:Nbsp2022 Template:Nowr, lessTemplate:Nbspthan half of the 18,244 inTemplate:Nbsp1997, when the numberTemplate:Nbspof parlors was at its peak.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Following a number of years of decline of parlours and machines, the number of pachinko machines inTemplate:NbspJapan dropped to around 2.5Template:Nbspmillion by the Template:Nowr.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Description

A pachinko machine resembles a vertical pinball machine, but is different from Western pinball in severalTemplate:Nbspways. It uses small (Template:Convert diameter) steelTemplate:Nbspballs, which the owner (usually a "pachinko parlor", featuring many individual games in rows) rents to the player, while pinball games use a larger, captive ball.

The player loads one or more balls into the machine, then presses and releases a spring-loaded handle, which is attached to a padded hammer inside the machine, launching the ball(s) into a metal track. The track guides the ball over the top of the playingTemplate:Nbspfield; then when it loses momentum, it falls into the playingTemplate:Nbspfield.

The playing field is populated by numerous brassTemplate:Nbsppins, several smallTemplate:Nbspcups into which the player hopes the ball will fall (each catcher is barely the width of the ball), and a hole at the bottom into which the ball falls if it does not enter a catcher. The ball bounces from pin to pin, both slowing its descent and deflecting it laterally across the field. A ball that enters a catcher triggers a payout, in which a number of balls are dropped into a tray at the front of the machine.Template:Zwj<ref name="Reed how" />

Many games made since the 1960s feature "tulip" catchers, which have small flippers that open to expand the width of the catcher. They are controlled by the machine, and may open and close randomly or in a pattern; expert players try to launch a ball so it reaches the catcher when its flippers are open.Template:Zwj<ref name="Reed how">Template:Cite web</ref>

The game's object is to win as many balls as possible, which can be exchanged for prizes. Pachinko machines were originally strictly mechanical, but have since incorporated extensive electronics, becoming similar to [[video slot machine|videoTemplate:Nbspslot machine]]s. Another type of machine often found in pachinko parlors, called a "pachislot", does not involve steelTemplate:Nbspballs, but are [[Medal game|loadedTemplate:Nbspwith tokens]] or coins and Template:Nowr comparable to those of a traditional Template:Nowr. Online casinos also offer "pachislot" games to tailor their product to the JapaneseTemplate:Nbspmarket.

History

Pachinko machines were first built during the 1920s as a children'sTemplate:Nbsptoy called the Template:Nihongo, based on and named after the American "Corinthian bagatelle".Template:Zwj<ref name="Reed about">Template:Cite web</ref> It emerged as an adult pastime in Template:Langr aroundTemplate:Nbsp1930, and spread from there.Template:Zwj<ref name="stripes">Template:Cite news</ref>

All of Japan's pachinko parlors were closed down during World WarTemplate:NbspII but Template:Nowr in the lateTemplate:Nbsp1940s. Pachinko has remained popular since; the first commercial parlor was opened in Template:Langr inTemplate:Nbsp1948.Template:Zwj<ref name="stripes" /> Due to Japanese influence during its [[Japanese occupation of Taiwan|Template:Nowr occupation]], Taiwan has many pachinko establishments.Template:Zwj<ref name="JT20140524" /> Guam also hosts a pachinko parlor.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

An estimated 80 percent of pachinko parlors in Japan are owned by ethnic Koreans.Template:Zwj<ref name="JT20140524">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref> InTemplate:Nbsp2001, British company Template:Nowr bought a stake in [[Tokyo Plaza|Template:Nowr]], which was running almost 20Template:Nbspparlors in Japan, and had also looked into opening parlors in the UnitedTemplate:NbspKingdom.Template:Zwj<ref name="pachinkolondon">Template:Cite news</ref>

Until the 1980s, pachinko machines were mechanical devices,Template:Zwj<ref name="vintagepachinko1">Template:Cite web</ref> using bells to indicate different states of the machine. Electricity was used only to flash lights and to indicate problems, such as a machine emptied of its balls.Template:Zwj<ref name="Reed electrical">Template:Cite web</ref> Balls were launched using a flipper; their speed was controlled by pulling the flipper down to different levels. Manufacturers in this period included Template:Langr and [[SANKYO|Template:Langr]]; most of these machines available on online auction sites today date to theTemplate:Nbsp1970s.Template:Zwj<ref name="vintagepachinko1" /> After that time, pachinko machines incorporated more electronic features, thus requiring electricity for operation.

Mechanisms

[[File:Pachinko entrance.jpg|thumb|right|The entrance to a pachinko parlor in [[Shibuya, Tokyo|Template:Langr]], Template:Langr, Japan]] To play pachinko, players get a number of metal balls by inserting cash or cards directly into the machine they want to use. They then shoot the balls into the machine. Older pachinko machines use a spring-loaded lever for shooting balls individually; while later ones use a round knob, controlling the strength of a mechanically-fired plunger that shoots the balls. The balls fall vertically through an array of pins, levers, cups, trapsTemplate:Nbspand obstacles until they enter a payoff target or reach the bottom of the playfield.

The player has a chance to get more balls if a launched ball lands in one of certain places as it falls. More balls allow the player to remain in the game longer, creating a larger chance to win.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Newer "pachislot" machines have a digital slot machine display on a large screen, where the objective is to get three numbers or symbols in a row for a jackpot.Template:Zwj<ref> Template:Citation </ref>

Every ball that goes into the center gate results in one spin, but there is a limit on the number of spins at oneTemplate:Nbsptime because of the possibility of balls passing through the centerTemplate:Nbspgate while a spin is still in progress. Each spin pays out a small number of balls, but the objective is to hit the jackpot.

Design

Pachinko machines vary in several aspects—including decorative mechanics, sound, gimmicks, modes, and gates. The playing field is usually a wooden board with a transparent acrylic overlay containing artwork. Most modern machines have an [[LCD|LCDTemplate:Nbspscreen]] over the main start pocket. The game is played by keeping the stream of balls to the left of the screen, but many models have their optimized ballTemplate:Nbspstream. Vintage machines vary in pocket location and strategy, with most having a specific center area containing winTemplate:Nbsppockets.Template:Fact

Payout mode

File:Insideanoldpachinkomachine.jpg
The inside workings of a pachinko machine being pulled out of a parlor

If the first two numbers, letters, or symbols of the spin match up, the digital program will display many animations before the third reel stops spinning, to give the player an added excitement. This is called a "reach" (or Template:Lang) and sometimes longer animations are played, called "superTemplate:Nbspreaches". Pachinko machines offer different odds in hitting a jackpot; if the player manages to obtain a jackpot, the machine will enter into "payoutTemplate:Nbspmode".

The payout mode lasts for a number of rounds. During each round, amidst more animations and movies playing on the center screen, a large payoutTemplate:Nbspgate opens up at the bottom of the machine layout and the player must try to shoot balls into it. Each ball that successfully enters into this gate results in many balls being dropped into a separate tray at the bottom of the machine, which can then be placed into a ballTemplate:Nbspbucket.

Hidden modes, hints, and instant wins

To enhance gameplay, modern machines have integrated several aspects not possible in vintage machines. A common one is the ability to switch between different playTemplate:Nbspmodes, including rare and hidden modes that can differ significantly from normalTemplate:Nbspplay. TwoTemplate:Nbspexamples can be seen in the [[Neon Genesis Evangelion (franchise)|NeonTemplate:NbspGenesis Evangelion]] series of pachinko machines, which include "MissionTemplate:NbspMode" and "BerserkerTemplate:NbspMode", ranging from having little effect on winning to being an almost-guaranteed win.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Graphics in videos and light patterns can also give players a general idea of what these winningTemplate:Nbspodds are. For example, a "superTemplate:Nbspreach" may cause a change in animation, or show an introductory animation or picture. This adds excitement, with some changes having much more significance than others in terms of odds of winning on a given spin. Some machines feature instant wins. There are also second-chanceTemplate:Nbspwins, where a spin that appears to have lost, or to have a veryTemplate:Nbsplow winning chance, gives the player three matching numbers and starts "feverTemplate:Nbspmode".Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Post-payout systems

After the payout mode has ended, the pachinko machine may do oneTemplate:Nbspof two things. Most pachinko machines employ the Template:Nihongo system (short for Template:Nihongo), where some percentage of the possible jackpots on the digital slotTemplate:Nbspmachine result in the odds of hitting the next jackpot multiplying by a large amount, followed by another spin regardless of the outcome. The probability of a Template:Transliteration occurring is determined by a random number generator.

Hence, under this system, it is possible for a player to get a string of consecutive jackpots after the first Template:Nowr one, commonly referred to as "feverTemplate:Nbspmode". Another type of Template:Transliteration system is a "specialTemplate:Nbsptime" or "ST"Template:NbspTemplate:Transliteration. With these machines, every jackpot earned results in a Template:Transliteration, but in order to earn a payout beyond the first jackpot, the player must hit a certain set of odds within a given number of spins.

When a jackpot does not result in a Template:Transliteration combination, the pachinko machine will enter into Template:Nihongo (short for Template:Nihongo) mode, with a much larger number of spins than Template:Transliteration. Under the original payoutTemplate:Nbspodds, the centerTemplate:Nbspgate widens to make it considerably easier for balls to fall into it; this system is also present in Template:Transliteration.

To compensate for the increase in the number of spins, the digital slotTemplate:Nbspmachine reveals the final outcome of each spin sooner. STTemplate:Nbsppachinko machines do not offer this mode; after it ends, the machine spins as in Template:Transliteration. Once no more jackpots have been made, the pachinko machine reverts to its original setting.

Koatari

Starting in 2007, the majority of Japanese pachinko machines started to include Template:Nihongo into their payout systems. Template:Transliteration is shorter than the normal jackpot and during payoutTemplate:Nbspmode the payoutTemplate:Nbspgate opens for a shortTemplate:Nbsptime only, even if no balls go into it. The timing of the opening of the gates is unpredictable, effectively making it a jackpot where the player receives no payout. Template:Transliteration jackpots can result in a Template:Transliteration as per normal operation, depending on the payout scheme of the machine in question. The main purpose of Template:Transliteration is so that pachinko manufacturers can offer payout schemes that appear to be largely favorable to customers, without losing any Template:Nowr profit.

In addition to being able to offer higher Template:Transliteration percentages, this made it possible for manufacturers to design Template:Nowr machines. Unlike Template:Nowr pachinko machines that offer a fullTemplate:Nbsppayout or a Template:Transliteration for any type of jackpot earned, these machines require players to hit a Template:Transliteration jackpot with a certain probability in order to get a fullTemplate:Nbsppayout. This is orchestrated by the player entering into "battle", where the player, in accordance with the item that the machine is based on, must "defeat" a certain enemy or foe in order to earn another Template:Transliteration. If the player loses, it means that a normal Template:Transliteration has been hit and the machine enters into Template:TransliterationTemplate:Nbspmode.

Another reason for incorporating every Template:Transliteration is that they have made it possible for a machine to go into Template:Transliteration mode without the player's knowledge. This is referred to as Template:Nihongo Template:Transliteration because it does not occur in any of the jackpot modes. A player sitting at a used pachinko machine offering the Template:Nowr chance of hitting a jackpot in normalTemplate:Nbspmode can hit it within xTemplate:Nbspspins easily because the previous player did not realize that the machine was in Template:Transliteration. This induces players to keep playing their machines, even though they may still be in normalTemplate:Nbspmode. Japanese pachinko players have not shown significant signs of protest in response to the incorporation of Template:Transliteration; on the contrary, Template:Nowr pachinko machines have become a major part of most parlors.

Prizes

File:Pachinko balls.jpg
Pachinko balls

Winnings take the form of additional balls, which players may either use to keep playing or exchange for prizes (Template:Nihongo). When players wish to exchange their winnings, they must call a parlor staff member by using a callTemplate:Nbspbutton located at the top of their station. The staff member will then carry the player's balls to an automated counter to see how many balls they have.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" />

After recording the number of balls the player won and the number of the machine they used, the staff member will then give the player a voucher or card with the number of balls stored in it. Some modern machines can count the balls automatically, without the need for staff. The player then hands it in at the parlor's exchange center to get their prizes. Among the array of prizes available, there will invariably be an item known as the "special prize" (Template:Nihongo, typically a small silver or gold novelty item encased in plastic) that can be sold for cash at an outside establishment in the vicinity of the parlor.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" />

Special prizes are awarded to the player in amounts corresponding to the number of ballsTemplate:Nbspwon. For example, one special prize worth ¥1500 outside the parlor might be offered to a customer per 400Template:Nbspballs won, assuming each ball originally cost 4Template:Nbspyen. The vast majority of players opt for the maximum number of special prizes offered for their ballTemplate:Nbsptotal, selecting other prizes only when they have a remaining total too small to receive a special prize.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz">Template:Cite web</ref>

Besides the special prizes, prizes may be as simple as Template:Nowr, pens or cigarette lighters, or as complicated as electronics, bicycles and other items. Under JapaneseTemplate:Nbsplaw, cash cannot be paid out directly for pachinko balls, but there is usually a small establishment located nearby, separate from the gameTemplate:Nbspparlor but sometimes in a separate unit as part of the same building, where players may sell special prizes for cash. This is tolerated by the police because the pachinko parlors that pay out goods and special prizes are nominally independent from the shops that buy back the special prizes.Template:Zwj<ref name="Kushner">Template:Cite web</ref>

Some pachinko parlors may even give out vouchers for groceries at a nearby supermarket. The yakuza (organized crime) were formerly often involved in prize exchange, but a greatTemplate:Nbspdeal of police effort beginning in theTemplate:Nbsp1960s and ramping up in theTemplate:Nbsp1990s has largely done away with their influence.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" /> InTemplate:NbspTemplate:Langr, the special prize exchange is handled exclusively by the Template:Ill company (known asTemplate:NbspTUC), which sells pachinko and slotTemplate:Nbspparlors goldTemplate:Nbspslivers in standardized plastic cases, which it buys back from winning customers at its "TUCTemplate:NbspShop" windows.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The "three-shop system"Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a system employed by pachinko parlors to exchange for Template:LangTemplate:Nbsp(prizes), usually with items such as cigarette lighters or Template:Nowr. These items are carried to a nearby shop and exchanged for cash as a way of circumventing gambling laws.

Recreational pachinko

Template:No sources Many arcades in Japan feature pachinko models from different times. They offer more playing time for the same amount of money, and have balls that can be exchanged only for gameTemplate:Nbsptokens to play other games in the establishment. As many of these arcades are Template:Nowr and gambling is removed, they are popular venues for casual players, newcomers, children, and those wanting to play in a more relaxed atmosphere.

In such arcades, thrifty gamblers may spend a small amount on a newly-released pachinko model to get a feel for the machine before going to a realTemplate:Nbspparlor. These machines can also be found in many stores, where they payTemplate:Nbspout capsules containing a prize coupon or store credit.

Regulations

Smoking

Smoking is allowed in pachinko parlors, although there are discussions in Japan to extend public Template:Nowr to them.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Crime

File:Antipachinkodemonstration-tokyojapan-2013.jpg
An anti-pachinko demonstration in Template:Langr, Japan inTemplate:Nbsp2013

Gambling is illegal in Japan, but pachinko is regarded as an exception and treated as an amusement activity.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although awarding direct money prizes for it is illegal, parlors may reward players with tokens which can then be sold for cash at nearby exchange centers. With growing public and political pressure in recent years, since passage of Japan's blanket Template:Nowr in theTemplate:Nbsp1990s, police are more active in regulating parlors.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" />

Retired police officers often work in the pachinko industry; critics have pointed out that while this has had a deterrent effect against organized crime, it also means these operators are in a strong position to influence police officers in their favor.Template:Zwj<ref name="Plotz" />

Police tolerate the level of gambling in pachinko parlors. For example, in MayTemplate:Nbsp2005, a parlor in [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Template:Langr Prefecture]] reported to the local police that someone had counterfeited their tokens and made off with the equivalent of US$60,000 inTemplate:Nbspcash by trading them in at their nearby exchange center. Even with such information proving that this parlor was illegally operating an exchange center, which by law must be independent of the parlor, the police did not shut them down, but tracked down the thief.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ball designs

It is forbidden for pachinko balls to be removed from a parlor to be used elsewhere. To help prevent this, many parlors have a design or name engraved on each of their balls, inspiring some people to collect pachinkoTemplate:Nbspballs with various designs.Template:Citation needed

Addiction

Template:See also A 2014 study showed that pathological gambling among Japanese adults was 9.04% inTemplate:Nbspmen and 1.6% inTemplate:Nbspwomen, higher than the NorthTemplate:NbspAmerican prevalence of 1.6%, particularly for men.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> InTemplate:Nbsp1999, 29% ofTemplate:Nbspplayers thought of themselves as addicted and needing treatment. AnotherTemplate:Nbsp30% said they exceeded their budgets and borrowed money to play.Template:Zwj<ref name="Wan" />

Franchising

A number of media franchises, mainly the media mix—including [[Cinema of Japan|JapaneseTemplate:Nbspfilm]], anime, manga, television and video game franchises—have generated significant revenue from sales of licensed pachinko and pachislot machines to pachinko parlors and amusement arcades.Template:Zwj<ref name="DKPPPLNF">Template:Cite news</ref> [[Sega Sammy Holdings|SegaTemplate:NbspSammy Holdings]] and Konami are two major license holders for most mediaTemplate:Nbspmix pachinko machines.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Some original pachinko games were adapted into anime: examples include Template:Lang, [[Battle Girls: Time Paradox|BattleTemplate:NbspGirls: TimeTemplate:NbspParadox!]], [[Rio: Rainbow Gate!|Template:Nowr]], and [[Yoshimune (TV series)|Template:Lang]].

See also

References

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