“Similar to a Pachinko machine... the Koreans in Japan cannot improve their 'predestined' lives regardless of how hard they try.” Journal of Positive School Psychology · 4 years ago

“Pachinko has a low initial stake; can stimulate visual and aural senses... and can seduce players into continuous play.” ResearchGate · 17 years ago

If you are interested in the actual game and its role in Japanese society, the paper published in International Gambling Studies is a primary scholarly source.