Defining images of Japan, Pachinko

When it comes to recreational gambling, the pachinko parlors are certainly a defining image for Japan. This game generates so much passion that, in any Japanese city, you can find large parlors, filled with people throughout the entire day. I even witnessed, in the morning, large queues of people waiting for the pachinko parlors to open! The game is enjoyed by crowds of all ages and conditions and, surprisingly, by a lot of women. It was amazing for me to learn that, according to a statistic from 2009, 1.6% of the Japanese women are compulsive gamblers...

Invented in Japan, the pachinko machine has its roots in Chicago, USA, from where the original "Corinth game" toy was brought to Japan in 1924. Initially installed in candy stores, the Korinto Gēmu machines were remarkably successful, and soon their name was changed to Pachi-Pachi, because of the sound produced. After a while, versions for adults were developed and the prizes were upgraded to cigarettes, soap, or detergents, a practice that remained unchanged until today...