TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have raided of a pachinko parlor operating illegally in Taito Ward, reports NHK (Feb. 12).
On Friday, police busted parlor Party Party, located in the Ueno district, and took Naoto Iketani, the 37-year-old manager, an employee and one other suspect into custody for allowing customers to wager cash on 16 pachisuro (pachinko slot) and five pachinko machines.
By law, any steel balls used by customers for pachinko may only be converted to cash at a location outside the parlor.
Iketani admits to the allegations. “There was a risk of getting caught by the police, but I thought the work was a quick and easy way to make a living.”
Officers also arrested three male and female customers present at the time of the raid.
According to police, the pachinko machines had been modified such that means of putting the balls into play is faster.
Party Party did not utilize a signboard. An intercom and security camera system was used to identify customers entering the premises.
