Pachinko

/pəˈtʃɪŋkoʊ/ noun

Definition

A Japanese arcade game similar to a pinball machine where players shoot steel balls into a framework and watch them bounce and fall into winning slots.

Etymology

From Japanese 'pachinko' (パチンコ), likely imitative of the clicking sounds the game makes. It became wildly popular in Japan after World War II.

Kelly Says

Pachinko is absolutely huge in Japan—there are thousands of pachinko parlors, and it's technically gambling, but because the prizes are converted to cash outside the game, it exists in a legal gray zone that's fascinating!

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