The pachinko game is a very popular form of Japanese gambling, although it is not strictly defined as such. This is because gambling is technically illegal in Japan, and so the pachinko parlours must utilize a somewhat awkward loophole in order to get around the legal barrier. This will be explained in more detail a little further on. First, let’s go over how the pachinko game itself is played.
A pachinko game machine might look, at first glance, to be very similar to a pinball machine. However, upon further inspection one finds that the machine has no flippers, as well as using a larger number of significantly smaller balls. The balls are small, metal ball bearings that the user launches through a mechanism similar to a pinball spring. The balls then fall through a dense field of bumpers, rods, and other hazards. Most of the balls fall to the bottom and exit the play field, however if a ball falls into a prize pocket then more balls are released. These balls essentially act as winnings.
There are many different types of pachinko game machines, with electronics and other features being incorporated to keep them entertaining. They are often likened to slot machines, as the user has very little control over where the ball will go except for, in most cases, how much force he or she uses to launch the ball initially. Pachinko game machines are often set in casino-like environments known as pachinko parlours, which follow the Western casino tropes of constant noise, bright flashing lights, and impressive architecture.
The unique way in which prizes are redeemed is one of the most fascinating aspects of pachinko. Upon winning a certain number of balls, the gambler may exchange them not for money, but for prizes, each of which is equal in value to a certain number of balls. To win actual money, these prizes must be taken to a separate business and then “sold” for real cash. These businesses have a reputation for being run by the Japanese organized crime families, or Yakuza.
Pachinko game machines also offer a number of additional features, other than simple jackpots. Hitting one jackpot often causes the machine to go into a special game mode in which further jackpots are much easier to obtain. Different machines have different criteria for earning further jackpots, and some machines have further features such as “hidden jackpots” that induce the player to continue playing in case they are in effect without his or her knowing it. Pachinko is not widely played outside of Japan and Taiwan, but there are a few parlours within the United States as well as other countries where you can try your luck. Typically, in areas where gambling is legal (such as the US), pachinko balls cal be exchanged for cash.