Why hasn't the Western world caught onto Pachinko?

[iknowkungfu]

Hey everyone, new user here. Wanted to post this in a general forum but can't seem to find one.

I've always been fascinated by Pachinko and I've always been curious why it hasn't caught on in the Western world. Is there something very specific that turns people off from it? Aside from it being intimidating when you don't know the rules. Or is it strictly because it's a gambling machine and would require some sort of license? I'm from Vancouver and we have a huge Asian population and a number of arcades that carry coindozer and coin drop pachinko games (where you try to line them up side by side) but no sniff of Pachinko anywhere.

[Card Shark]

That's a good question. I have found just from talking to friends and family that people have never heard of pachinko. A bunch of my friends come over all the time to play my machines. However, I had to introduce them to Pachinko. When my latest machine (JAWS) arrived at work yesterday. Most of my coworkers were fascinated by it and had never seen one before.

By the way, Welcome to Pachitalk! You cannot find a better group of people on the internet. You are certainly in good company.

[emmadog]

I think for it to work here the machines need to have Western themes and have English text. In other words, cater to our market. Anime and manga are a huge part of Japanese culture but relatively unknown here and since it is an animated or cartoon base, doesn't appeal to the average Western adult. I'm sure there are other reasons as well.

[Moparformances]

Welcome to Pachitalk


i would guess that if Pachinko was the only form af gambling then the western world would be all over it..

like wise if a vagas slot machine was avalable in japan i would be crious to see how things might change

[Steve Cebu]

I would also venture that Americans have their own version of Pinball and they tend to
be far more into games with 1 inch ball bearings than the smaller pachinko balls.

Different skill set but still both are pinball although there are more actual pins in a
pachinko machine.

[iknowkungfu]

How much of it is education of the game? Whenever I google free pachinko games or search pachinko on the app store all I find are Peggle and Plinko style games, is this what the Western world thinks Pachinko is?

[SteveFury]

I will be retiring in 12-14 years and my wife suggests that I open a small pachinko parlor.

I personally don't think it would work because people are already predisposed with their lives and I don't believe they would enjoy a distraction like pachinko. Why take the time and money to leave your home, drive somewhere and play pachinko when other (arguably) superior alternatives exist (x-box etc) in the comfort of your own home?

If a pachinko parlor was to work here, I believe it would need to be located in a place where people already gather with a lot of leasure time to spend and the it be a multi-purpose facility not just pachinko. Maybe a resturaunt or coffee shop with a pachinko theme etc.

Maybe someone could create a portable pachinko parlor and place it in key locations such as a popular bowling alley once a month or a keyosk type arrangement at a mall. But I don't think a single purpose pachinko facility would survive and attract patrons on its own.

Sad I think because the games can be so much fun.

[Drunkenclam]

I also think, that to us in the west, The odds are nuts, 1 in 350ish chance of win, Thoses aren't good odds, Unless it had the higher chance machines 1-90 I don't think people would have the patience to play, Its to much work and ita too slow, Think about a slot machine, In goes your quarter and five seconds later the reels stop and you put in another and another, Someone could spend over a fiver in the time it takes one reach video to play out.

[iknowkungfu]

I will be retiring in 12-14 years and my wife suggests that I open a small pachinko parlor.

I personally don't think it would work because people are already predisposed with their lives and I don't believe they would enjoy a distraction like pachinko. Why take the time and money to leave your home, drive somewhere and play pachinko when other (arguably) superior alternatives exist (x-box etc) in the comfort of your own home?

If a pachinko parlor was to work here, I believe it would need to be located in a place where people already gather with a lot of leasure time to spend and the it be a multi-purpose facility not just pachinko. Maybe a resturaunt or coffee shop with a pachinko theme etc.

Maybe someone could create a portable pachinko parlor and place it in key locations such as a popular bowling alley once a month or a keyosk type arrangement at a mall. But I don't think a single purpose pachinko facility would survive and attract patrons on its own.

Sad I think because the games can be so much fun.

Hahah this is exactly my city, kids will too much money from their parents, nothing to do after school before they're legal

[candyflip]

The interesting thing is, one you've experienced pachinko/pachislot in an actual working location, it is MORE addictive than playing at home.

The gambling adds a lot too... but that's something that can't be transferred, unfortunately.

[takethecastle57]

Howdy What machine/ machines do you have ?? Pachinko was 1st big in the late 1970's when the Vintage Pachinko's arrived here in the United States then quickly fell out of fashion in the 1980's then , in 2002 .,.,.,.,.,


The Resurgence of the Hobby , Yes it is a Hobby for a select few in This World that Loves these Pachi's


Oh , Welcome to the Dark Side (Pachinko's )

[davidboy81]

Hi everyone,

I've been having trouble visiting this website for good 2 months or so. Gave it a try again today and it works!

Has anyone else experienced similar problems???

So good to be back!

[davidboy81]

Hi iknowkungfu,

Sorry got off the topic before I apologize.

I agree with emmadog, it's to do with the themes of Pachinko machines. They're not exactly designed to accomodate needs in the west to start with.

I see people young and old here in Australia spending money on the monopoly machines in video game arcades(although I dont really get the rules, I know you definitely can't exchange tokens back to money). This tells me that we've got people who's got time and money for leisure, so I think pachinko will work...

[candyflip]

Hi everyone,

I've been having trouble visiting this website for good 2 months or so. Gave it a try again today and it works!

Has anyone else experienced similar problems???

So good to be back!

Nope - I'm in Melbourne and have had no issue.

Would be a local thing (ie. your setup) for you I'd say.

[Drunkenclam]

Well there is that hack, that divets people to a spam page if tried to access from a search engine. But your here now
Also server busy messages,

[hanabi]

Maybe someone could create a portable pachinko parlor and place it in key locations such as a popular bowling alley once a month or a keyosk type arrangement at a mall. But I don't think a single purpose pachinko facility would survive and attract patrons on its own.

Sad I think because the games can be so much fun.

Mobile Pachi Parlour

Mobile Pachi Parlour??

[number42]

I think a couple of people were spot-on about the themes - if you're strictly dealing with the current manufacturers and the characters / content they choose for their machines, it's not usually something the mainstream Western world is very in tune with. I think we (as collectors) may have a slightly skewed view of pachinko as well, as we are able to enjoy them at leisure in our homes for pure entertainment, without having to constantly re-purchase the balls to play in a gambling environment. If you installed these in casinos, they of course would be in direct competition with slot machines, which I think suit the Western world better - push button / pull lever and the slot reels are moving, sort of an instant gratification. I'm not sure most of your usual casino-goers would have the patience to understand or enjoy throwing dozens of balls onto the playfield just to get a few spins. I've tried to explain pachinko to several co-workers and friends and I usually get the smile and nod response.

Of course, there are a few people who I have gotten to visit my small pachinko cave and have become hooked...they're the lucky ones!

[mxfaiman]

Maybe someone could create a portable pachinko parlor and place it in key locations such as a popular bowling alley once a month or a keyosk type arrangement at a mall. But I don't think a single purpose pachinko facility would survive and attract patrons on its own.

I have actually thought about doing that. I have enough machines. Only thing I need is Balls and a trailer / big vehicle. I mean you have these game trucks that go to parties and stuff around here. So why wouldn't a pachinko truck work? Though it would probably only work well in areas with high populations.

Game truck:
http://www.thegamesquad.com/

[quester]

Value of a pachinko ball?

Look at slot machines, penny, nickle, quarter, dollar, 5 dollars, ect, amount bet per spin.
Table games, min bet, max bet

The casino wants to make money, and make it fast, gamers want to win big, and win fast also.

Pachinko balls have 1 value per ball and that is the main problem

[Card Shark]

Value of a pachinko ball?

Look at slot machines, penny, nickle, quarter, dollar, 5 dollars, ect, amount bet per spin.
Table games, min bet, max bet

The casino wants to make money, and make it fast, gamers want to win big, and win fast also.

Pachinko balls have 1 value per ball and that is the main problem

I agree completely. Most of my friends still do not understand how the machines work for gambling even after playing them at my home. I try to explain that if they had purchased the balls from me and then cashed them in at the end of a session they would either be ahead or have lost. They just get kind of a glazed look and go back to my pachislo.