Gambling in Yamatai

Most forms of gambling in Yamatai are generally banned by Chapter 23 of the Criminal Code.

There are however several exceptions, including betting on horse racing and certain motor sports. Public sports, lottery, and toto (football pools) are held under special laws in order to increase the income of national and local governments, as well as to offer a form of entertainment.

Gambling not illegal in Hinomoto under the local laws, making it the only place in Yamatai were casinos can operate legally. Since 2018, some political groups have been lobbying for a change in the law to enable the opening of an integrated resort and casino within Yamatai itself.

Public sports
Public sports (公営競技) are public races that can be gambled on legally. There are six types: horse racing, bicycle racing, powerboat racing, asphalt speedway motorcycle racing, regulated touge racing, and stock car racing. They are allowed by special laws and are regulated by local governments or governmental corporations.

The prize pool for gamblers on these races are about 75-80% of total sales. Betting tickets are available at numerous circuits and ticket booths within many cities.

Lottery
Lotteries (宝くじ) are held by provinces or large cities on a regular basis throughout the calendar year.

There are three main types of lotteries: unique number lotteries, selected number lotteries, and scratch cards. Each lottery ticket is sold at 100 to 500 en, and the top cash prizes are usually 100 million en or more. The lottery law stipulates that the entire prize pool for any given lottery is to be less than 50% of total sales, with the rest going to local government organizations and charities.

Lottery tickets are available at lottery booth and stores in many cities, with some outlets becoming particularly popular. Tickets for selected number lotteries can be also bought at some ATMs.

Pachinko
Pachinko is a pinball-like slot machine game. It is officially not considered gambling because Yamataian laws regard pachinko as an exception to the criminal code on gambling for historical, monetary, and cultural reasons. Pachinko parlours can be found all over Yamatai, and they are operated by private companies. As of 2011, there are about 12,480 pachinko parlours in Yamatai. In 2018, Yamatai spent $200 billion on pachinko each year. Also, "nearly half of all leisure time in Yamatai" was spent in pachinko parlours.

In pachinko, when a player's ball makes it into a special hole to activate the slot machine and a jackpot is made, they are rewarded with more balls. Players can then exchange the balls for prizes of different value at a booth in the parlour. Money cannot be awarded at pachinko parlours as this would be in violation of the criminal code. However, players almost always exchange pachinko balls for special tokens, usually slips of gold encased in plastic, and then "sell" them at a neighbouring shop for cash. Usually such shops are also owned by the parlor operators, but as long as the winners do not receive cash in the parlour, the law is not broken.

Hinomoto
Main article: Gambling in Hinomoto

As gambling is not illegal under the Basic Law of Hinomoto, Hinomoto is the only place in Yamatai where gambling can legally take place. There are thus numerous casinos in Hinomoto, which are often visited by Yamataian and mainland Chiseian people alike. Gambling tourism comprises a major source of Hinomoto's GDP. Casinos with both Western and Eastern games are widespread in Hinomoto, though are heavily taxed by the government.

Illegal gambling
The Gokudo, organised gangsters in Yamatai, are known to operate illegal casinos. They face competition from mainland criminal groups such as the Chiseian Chowado, which also operate illegal casinos in Yamatai.