Salt Lake City, Utah, is CMK Gaming International’s choice for the country’s first “Pachinko Parlor,” according to CMK Managing Director Shana Weiner.
“The company’s first U.S. pachinko parlor should generate interest and excitement within the Salt Lake City community. From there we plan to capitalize on the excitement of the pachinko parlors by strategically placing them in communities that seek exciting new entertainment venues,” she said.
Pachinko is not recognized as gambling in Japan, although it may be earmarked for a place in Japan’s future casinos. The game requires players to pay for steel balls, which are used in an arcade game to win prizes.
Utah, however, is populated by Latter-Day Saints who are against gambling, which includes “lotteries sponsored by governments” as stated on the church’s website. In addition, the state outlaws gambling and licensed lotteries.
The international gaming company reportedly has two shareholders. Weiner owns 0.267. In October of 2013, CMKI swooped 100 percent of a Nevada corporation’s shares and three pachinko parlors in Japan are run by CMK Nevada. Origins of CMK show it was focused on oil drilling and incorporated in Colorado.
