• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Monday 15 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Japan’s pachinko industry shrinks 27% year-on-year to US$21 billion

Shintaro Kamimura by Shintaro Kamimura
Mon 2 Aug 2021 at 06:32
Pachinko parlors to push through tougher Japan smoking laws but headwinds persist: Govertsen
59
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The pachinko industry continues to suffer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a white paper published by Daikoku Denki, a major manufacturer of equipment for pachinko parlors, in July, the market size of the pachinko industry in 2020 was JPY14.6 trillion (US$133 billion), down by JPY5.4 trillion (US$49.2 billion) from the previous year, with total gross profit down JPY890 billion (US$8.1 billion) to JPY 2.35 trillion (US$21.4 billion). Sales and gross profits fell 27% year-on-year.

Tsuyoshi Tanaka, executive officer and Managing Director of Amusement Press Japan – a respected local news outlet for the amusement industry – said COVID-19 is not the only reason for the decline in the pachinko market.

“There has also been an increased removal of machines with high gambling properties,” he said. “Many players feel that the machines are no longer exciting. The segment that lost the highest player population in 2020 was not the elderly but the younger players.”

He also commented that the pachinko industry had been contracting long before the start of the pandemic.

In his opinion, this is because of parlors making it more difficult to win in order to increase their profit margin; regulatory changes which have seen machines with higher gambling properties and big wins removed; and the high cost of playing compared with other leisure activities available to younger players who have stagnated wages.

This has been compounded by the pandemic, with the player population decreasing further and leading to a decline in revenue for parlors.

However, one industry insider told IAG, “There are signs that the pachinko industry will improve [even though] the market is certainly getting smaller. I think it may have shrunk even more than 27%.

“If you are not a major company, your parlor may struggle with capital investment in your facilities such as new units or replacing old ones.

“However, for the pachinko industry as a whole, there are signs that it will trend slightly upward as popular models are released. I think it may take a little longer for pachislots to enjoy this updraft.”

RelatedPosts

Jeju Dream Tower casino sales down 7.4% in March

Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower stretches run of consecutive volume and visitation growth to seven months as September hits record highs

Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 05:20
10 Years Ago: Next Stop Japan

Osaka-based forum to study the potential impact of MGM’s Japan IR on Korea’s casino industry

Wed 27 Aug 2025 at 05:40
Improved Okada Manila performance not enough to push Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp back to profit in 2021

Japan’s Universal falls to US$69 million loss in 1H25 on Okada Manila underperformance

Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 12:56
Payment technologies help Crane Co profits surge 377% in 2Q21

Crane NXT profit down as payments arm CPI reveals lower sales volumes in 2Q25

Thu 7 Aug 2025 at 05:45
Load More
Tags: covid-19JapanpachinkoPachislotsales
Share24Share4
Shintaro Kamimura

Shintaro Kamimura

Shintaro Kamimura (from Tokyo) has worked for many years as a professional mahjong player, mahjong instructor and a writer. He travels far and wide both in Japan and overseas, fine-tuning his already extensive expertise in many areas of gaming, including Japanese pachinko and slot machines, and overseas casinos.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

Corona shines

Vietnam’s Corona Resort & Casino falls to US$21 million loss in 1H25, wider than previously

by Newsdesk
Sun 14 Sep 2025 at 18:13

Vietnam’s Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc, which earlier this year wrapped up a pilot program for locals gambling on its property, fell to a VND564 billion (US$21.4 million) loss for the six months to 30 June 2025 –...

IAG EXPO: Interview with Light & Wonder’s Jamie Dorbian

IAG EXPO: Interview with Light & Wonder’s Jamie Dorbian

by Newsdesk
Sun 14 Sep 2025 at 17:33

Light & Wonder's Managing Director, International, Jamie Dorbian, discusses the array of products the company displayed at IAG EXPO and how it views the importance of Asia in its global strategy.

Macau’s concessionaires could soon turn to virtual performers to keep pace with rising competition in global entertainment scene

Macau’s concessionaires could soon turn to virtual performers to keep pace with rising competition in global entertainment scene

by Ben Blaschke
Sun 14 Sep 2025 at 14:24

Macau’s concessionaires could soon turn to digital pop stars and virtual performers to satisfy the needs of the city’s burgeoning entertainment scene. David Baxley, long-time Regional Vice President for Sands China and Marina Bay Sands, explained during a panel session...

Entain Australia and New Zealand CEO Andrew Vouris announced as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2026

Entain Australia and New Zealand CEO Andrew Vouris announced as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2026

by Newsdesk
Sun 14 Sep 2025 at 11:33

Leading gaming law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced the newly appointed CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand as its first Featured Speaker for its March 2026 event in Sydney. The conference is scheduled to take place...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 日本語

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English
  • 日本語