Like many Japanese pachinko parlors, Naomi Suzuki’s shop on the outskirts of Fukushima City was once full of energy, with the din of bouncing steel balls and garish lights flashing to indicate winnings. But business is quieter for her these days as her parlour’s clientele ages and drifts
Like many Japanese pachinko parlors, Naomi Suzuki’s shop on the outskirts of Fukushima City was once full of energy, with the din of bouncing steel balls and garish lights flashing to indicate winnings.
But business is quieter for her these days as her parlour’s clientele ages and drifts away. And with new restrictions on the game this year, she and her industry are bracing for things to get much worse.
The rules, aimed at curbing gambling addiction, are part of a policy barter that helped legalise casinos in 2016 despite widespread opposition. Japan passed regulations on casino developments last week, including those on gambling addiction.
The new anti-addiction rules call for pachinko machines to reduce payouts. That means players win and lose money more slowly – and will perhaps find the game less exciting and addictive.
Pachinko halls are required to comply in the next three years. Owners like Suzuki worry not only about the cost of replacing machines, but that regulars will find the new games too dull.
« If you restrict the excitement so much, people will quit, » she said. « The point of allowing casinos was to bolster regional finances. But the pachinko industry will be taking the hit. »
The industry, which gained nationwide popularity after World War II, has already been in decline because of a shrinking population. Younger generations tend to favor online games and other sources of betting.
The overall industry has shrunk to about 20 trillion yen ($179.82 billion) from around 30 trillion yen a decade ago, according to Japan Productivity Center, which compiles statistics on the leisure industry.
Pachinko halls have tried to keep players entertained by incorporating animation and high-tech features into the games.
But the basic rules remain the same: players try to bounce steel balls into parts of the board that reward them with a payout of more balls.
