In fiscal year 2024, the market size for pachinko-related equipment (comprising pachinko machines, pachi-slot machines, and ancillary devices) totaled 861.273 billion yen based on manufacturer sales. This represents 97.6% of the previous year’s value. The primary factor behind this overall decline was the pachi-slot machine market, which saw a decrease for the first time in four years.
According to the survey results released by Yano Research Institute Ltd., the market breakdown by segment (based on manufacturer sales) is as follows:
- Pachinko Machines: 380.407 billion yen (104.8% YoY)
- Pachi-slot Machines: 310.387 billion yen (88.8% YoY)
- Ancillary Devices: 170.479 billion yen (100.1% YoY)
The results indicate that while the pachinko machine market expanded, the pachi-slot machine market declined, and the ancillary devices market remained flat.
Segment Analysis
The pachinko machine market had been underperforming compared to previous years in FY2022 and FY2023. In FY2024, although the number of units sold decreased, the overall market size exceeded the previous year due to an increase in unit sales prices.
While pachinko machines with new specifications, such as machines equipped with “Lucky Trigger” (LT) feature, were introduced to the market in FY2024, they have yet to show enough impact to significantly revitalize the currently sluggish machine utilization rates.
The pachi-slot machine market had recently seen a recovery trend in utilization, supported by fans’ reception of machines with new specifications, such as pachi-slot machines under the “Unit 6.5” regulation and “Smart Pachi-slot” machines. However, manufacturer sales for FY2024 fell below the previous year’s level. Despite this, demand for pachi-slot machines from parlors remains robust, and the appetite for purchasing new models continues to be high.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Yano Research Institute Ltd. is closely monitoring the trends of the LT3.0 Plus regulation, which expands on LT features, and machines featuring a “Bonus Trigger” (BT) system. Furthermore, the institute notes that the spread of “smart” gaming machines—which allow for switching between Smart Pachi-slot and Smart Pachinko without the need for unit replacements—may accelerate the speed of trend shifts within pachinko halls.
Terminology and Definitions
- Machines equipped with “Lucky Trigger” (LT) feature: Pachinko machines introduced under revised voluntary regulations that allow for a higher expected payout (payout performance) under specific conditions.
- Machines featuring a “Bonus Trigger” (BT) system: A new specification for pachi-slot machines designed to enhance gameplay by allowing for a “bonus” to trigger another “bonus” under certain conditions.
- Pachi-slot machines under the “Unit 6.5” regulation: A generation of pachi-slot machines that transitioned from previous restrictions, allowing for a maximum payout of 2,400 medals based on the “difference” from the initial investment (rather than just the raw payout).
- “Smart Pachi-slot” machines: A new type of pachi-slot machine (Smaslo) that operates without physical medals, digitizing all tokens to improve parlor efficiency and enhance game performance.
- LT3.0 Plus regulation: An upgraded regulatory framework for the Lucky Trigger feature, aimed at further diversifying and deepening gameplay.