Pachinko

Inside of Pachinko Parlor 

In Japan, Pachinko is one of the popular quick entertainment, mostly by men.
Pachinko is a Japanese pinball machine (upright style)

How to play Pachinko
1) Buy a certain number of balls.
2) Put the balls into the machine
3) Turn the automatic handle and balls start to come out.

Pachinko parlor

Many balls will pour out when you get the balls into the right holes.

Because gambling for cash is illegal in Japan, balls won cannot be exchanged directly for cash in the parlor. Instead, the balls are exchanged for token prizes, which can then be taken outside and traded in for cash at a business that is nominally separate from the parlor, and may be run by organized crime.

Pachinko Machine

Pachinko parlors share the reputation of slot machine dens and casinos the world over — garish decoration; over-the-top architecture; a low-hanging haze of cigarette smoke; the constant din of the machines, music, and announcements; and flashing lights.

Japanese people like Pachinko so much because playing pachinko gives people a chance to relieve their stress. But sometimes people get addicted to it and it ruins their lives. There have been kidnappings and traffic accidents involving young children whose mothers forgot about them while playing pachinko.

Total annual turnover of Pachinko industry : 20 trillion yen
Average of money spent for pachinko/day; 13,596yen
Average of playing by pachinko player: 2-3 times/week