Leading Japanese pachinko hall operator Dynam Japan has recorded a slight 1.2% increase in revenue in the three months to 30 June 2019 as recent changes to its business model start to take effect.
Dynam reported revenue of JPY36.3 billion (US$334.2 million) in the quarter, up from JPY35.9 billion thanks to a 4.1% increase in gross pay-ins at its low playing cost halls to JPY83.2 billion (US$766.1 million). The company had converted three of its high cost halls to low cost during the past year. Gross pay-ins at high playing cost halls fell 3.5% to JPY105.3 billion (US$969.6 million), reflecting a reduction in the number of high playing cost halls from 180 to 176 (including one closure).
Dynam has been actively looking to revitalize its pachinko business by changing its focus from high playing cost halls to low playing cost halls and targeting entertainment over volatility.
In a previous statement issued earlier this year, the company stated its vision to “reinvent pachinko gaming as a form of everyday entertainment that everyone can easily enjoy, as a regional infrastructure.
“To realize everyday entertainment, we must manage our business so that our customers consider the time and money they spend in our halls are at acceptable levels for everyday entertainment. Therefore, the Group practices chain store management as one of its management policies.
“Managing our pachinko halls at low cost leaves space to enable us to entertain customers with low playing cost games, which in turn leads to the realizing of everyday entertainment.”