Sammy Corp.

In 1975, Hajime Satomi founded Sammy Industry Co., Ltd. after spinning it out from his family's Satomi Corporation. The company initially focused on manufacturing and marketing machines for amusement arcades. Recognizing the immense popularity of pachinko, a form of Japanese mechanical gaming, Sammy pivoted to developing and selling pachislot machines, a blend of pachinko and slot machines. This move proved to be the company's first major turning point, establishing it as a dominant force in Japan's lucrative gambling industry. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Sammy solidified its position as a leading manufacturer of pachinko and pachislot machines. The company's growth was significant, leading to its listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2001. The new millennium brought a landmark event. In 2004, in a move that shook the gaming world, Sammy acquired a controlling stake in the iconic but struggling video game company, Sega, for $1.1 billion. This led to the formation of a new holding company, Sega Sammy Holdings. The deal was effectively a takeover, with Sammy's founder, Hajime Satomi, becoming chairman of the new conglomerate. The acquisition combined Sammy's financial strength and pachinko expertise with Sega's world-renowned video game development and intellectual property, creating a diversified entertainment giant.