On the one hand, I agree. On the other hand, having played a lot of live poker, I'm fond of my local OMCs (old man coffees) who just want to chat and play cards

On the one hand, I agree. On the other hand, having played a lot of live poker, I'm fond of my local OMCs (old man coffees) who just want to chat and play cards, and are slightly losing over time (most to the house). That doesn't feel nearly as inequitable as the whale-hunting gaming ultimately depends upon (and which drove me away from it). Which isn't to suggest that pachinko doesn't have whales (or blackjack, or the state lottery, or slots), or that the picture you paint isn't depressing (I've seen it around the world in different forms, and it's always very depressing).