Japanese pachinko giant Dynam Japan Holdings Co Ltd has reported a 3.3% decline in revenue to ¥115.12 billion (US$1.06 billion) for the nine months to 31 December 2017, citing a “severe business environment.”
Gross pay-ins fell 4.6% to ¥583.83 billion (US$5.37 billion) including an 8.0% decline at the company’s high playing cost halls to ¥344.09 billion, while gross pay-ins at low playing cost halls fell by 0.7% to ¥239.74 billion. The period saw the total number of halls operated by Dynam rise by six to 451 comprising one hall being converted from a high playing cost hall to a low playing cost hall and six other low playing cost halls acquired.
“During the nine months period, the severe business environment has continued in our pachinko hall industry,” Dynam said of the results.
“Under such business environment, the group has made efforts to grow and develop with local communities and to improve the machine utilization through various kinds of business measures under the important policies of setting up our halls from the customers’ viewpoint and operating each of our halls with a focus on customers’ needs.
“The group is aiming at making pachinko an accessible amusement everybody can enjoy and is working to expand the market shares in the industry by opening low playing cost halls. The group opened 6 new low playing cost halls during the period from 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017. As a result, the number of halls in the Group reached 451, consisting of 180 high playing cost halls and 271 low playing cost halls as at 31 December 2017.
“Also, the entire pachinko hall operators has improved playing environment in halls by gradual reduction of a ratio of number of high playing cost machines.”
Dynam added that, “The Company is continuously committed to reducing hall operating expenses especially focusing on management of machine expenses thereby securing profitability.”
Dynam is Japan’s largest pachinko operator by volume of pachinko parlors and second only to Maruhan Corp in terms of total revenue.