Jul 16 (News On Japan) - Gaming has always been an integral part of Japanese culture. People have taken to gaming whenever they need recreation.
In fact, during times of economic slump, the local Japanese population has resorted to winning big gaming parlors to survive.
The Most Loved Game In Japan: Pachinko
Gambling or earning money by playing games (even skill-based games) is banned in Japan. Despite this strict ban on gambling, Pachinko has been a hot favorite among the local Japanese population. However, that does not mean the Japanese law and order system is not optimally. Japan's law and order system is quite efficient, and if you read local Japanese news blogs, you can learn more about the law and order situation. If you want to know how Pachinko is allowed despite being a game of luck, continue to read this blog post.
Overcoming The Legal Loopholes
When a player wins a game of Pachinko, he does not win cash. Instead, he wins pachinko balls. These pachinko balls can be redeemed at other stores for money. So, when a player sells his pachinko balls, these balls go back into the system (pachinko machine), and the players win money. So, the player wins money not in a direct but rather in an indirect manner. Hence, even if making a fortune out of gaming is illegal, making money out of Pachinko is legal.
The Intriguing Game
Pachinko is an interesting game that involves a lot of skills and an element of luck. People who like playing poker love pachinko because, just like in Slots, the pattern of balls on the player's machine has to match that of the game parlor for the player to win. However, there is another layer of complexity, and just like in pinball, the player also has to align the balls in a certain pattern.
The speed and accuracy with which the balls are aligned in the pachinko machine are factors of the player's skill and experience. The player has to carefully maneuver each ball and use these balls to align the others. Additionally, the exciting lights(neon or fluorescent) and the music at these Pachinko machines keep the players hooked for a long time.
The Addictive Game
Pachinko is addictive, and that is what makes the business so lucrative. If statistics are believed, nearly fifty percent of Japanese citizens' free time is spent playing Pachinko at a game parlor nearby. No wonder these game machines are installed at every nook and corner of the island nation. Many small businesses install these machines in their shops, which has helped them overcome seasonal losses.
The Pachino business has a turnover of nearly $200 Billion per year. This huge sum is equivalent to nearly four percent of Japan's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Many experts believe that games like Pachinko give the Japanese population a way to escape from mundane life. At times, it may also be seen as a way to escape a short-term economic crisis.
Final Words
Pachino is now a part of Japan's culture. There have been attempts by the Government in Tokyo to weed out Pachinko parlors, but those attempts have largely failed. Pachinko machines allow a local Japanese individual a route to escape and enjoy his free time. So, if you are a tourist, it is a good idea to visit a Pachino bar and try your luck at a Pachinko machine if you are truly enjoying and experiencing the local culture of the island nation.
