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Nowadays you can find these claw machines in many stores, restaurants and malls. They are popular among young people, and are always shining captivating colours to the eyes. Most of them reward soft toy or cuddly toy and electronic gadgets, while there are also few versions where you can grab paper money available. You just have to be skilled enough to manage collecting the prize with the claw, dropping it into the collect box right after.

In order to play, you have to risk money from your pocket for a single or few attempts with the claw. In most attempts, however, it's like the prize will slip from the claw or you won't even achieve collecting anything with it, since it's made of a slippy metal.

Do you consider this a category of gambling game? What are the chances on long run? Skills matter, or do you have to be lucky, nevertheless?

I don't consider this to be gambling. It can't be. In gambling there is a stake for win. This is just some kind of game. It doesn't require any skill. You just need to be smart enough to gather as much money as you can.
There are no odds. And compared to real gambling, you are told to gamble responsibly. In this case everyone is just catching fun. I've seen kids play this game. Nothing but fun. And when you lose, you move one because other people are waiting in line.

To me this is gambling, my definition of gambling is that if we put something in and risk what we have in trying to win more (or any reward that is greater than the stake itself) that is gambling. I don't think winning these games has anything to do with skill, these machines are rigged and you just have to be lucky enough to hit the right time to play. Simply said, the claw opens up for a second when gets fully up in most cases, just sometimes it stays closed and brings a prize.

And sadly we see them everywhere around... wherever kids hang out we can see these machines, and kids ask their parents just for a few tries, I have that "problem", in most cases I talk them out of it, but sometimes I give up and I play together with my kids.

Clam machines with doll as the prize like this cannot be categorized as gambling because there is no motive to seek economic gain, but is only for entertainment.
Some people are definitely addicted to playing this game again and again but they only do that for fun.

But if the claw machine is like in the last screenshot (real money?), it can be categorized as gambling because there is cash involved there.
Im still not sure whether its real money or play money that can be exchanged for gifts? If its play money, I dont think it can be categorized as gambling.

This game require a skill too, because if we have played several times on the same machine, we already know the advantages and disadvantages of that machine.
And machines like this are prone to cheating, such as weak claws and unresponsive levers.

There is indeed a similarity between claw machines and gambling, but I cannot say that this is a form of gambling, considering that there are no bets made with unpredictable results like gambling in general, although it does require a little luck to play it. gets its reward because it can easily slip from your grasp. Even so, some skill is also a factor because how well a person operates their claws can influence whether we will be rewarded.

Claw machines may appear to have gambling characteristics, such as relying on chance, but they are essentially games of skill and not a form of gambling in general. Nonetheless, for individuals who indulge in excessive participation and spend large amounts of money in it, this can cause concern and lead to problematic gambling behavior.

It is for entertainment purposes, those who play generally know that they will lose, there is a low probability of being able to take a bear out of there. I say this as someone who has never won before. These Claw Machines are very popular in the Far East, they can sit and wake up for hours like a slot machine, I think it may be a very old gambling in their culture.

Although in some countries it is loved very little, in some countries it has many fans, as I said.

Kind of, I mean you are staking "money" to play it. while majority of claw machines I see gives out stuff toys or candies there are some that gives out money or other valuable or expensive prizes.

anyway, claw machines are notoriously rigged, I've read articles talking about how the claw on claw machines are programed to grab tight only after certain amount of plays.

IMO, yes as I consider this a game you win through luck and there is a money at stake although, most of the time, I wonder if it's rigged LOL.

But we could also say it's in the gray lines because I believe in most countries, they are not considered as gambling otherwise, they wouldn't be on arcades which a lot of kids go. Probably toning down the prizes and completely excluding cash are ways to go around it. In our place, arcades also have their own currency (for the lack of better word!) in the form of physical tickets.

Hmm... I strongly believe that playing a claw machine is not gambling at all. Unlike traditional forms of gambling where luck plays a major role, the claw machine requires skill and strategy to win. It's all about timing, precision, and hand-eye coordination. You have to carefully assess the position of the prize, calculate the strength of the claw, and make a calculated move to grab it. It's more like a test of skill rather than a game of chance.
Sure, luck can come into play sometimes, but ultimately, it's your skill that determines whether you walk away with a prize or not.

Most people will not play these to get stuffed animals, these are kids versions of this game. The ones I've seen have real items inside, like plastic boxes with money, watches, phones and similar stuff. You put in a few coins and can potentially win an item worth 5 times more, but if you fail to grab it a few times you'll end up losing money.
I think that this is gambling, but I don't play them because most of them are rigged. I've seen how it's done because people on youtube open these machines up. You can set the force with which the claw closes and the speed it moves back and sometimes these machines are set so that the claw moves back fast and even if you grab an item it will fall back when the claw goes up and starts moving towards you.

There's an existing thread about this too asking of if claw machine is gambling too, but it looks like it was moved. Well, you can't call it gambling for too many reasons. It's more like games to entertain kids and adults.
I search why it is not gambling, it its because, of lesser valuable price which is reasonable.

Yes, i know someone who work under a company with these claw machines and it is really set like it needed X numbers of plays before the claw hold tight, but it's different somewhere in Japan. I saw videos that it's much easier to play there.

Its a game but seems not a gambling game though. But you certainly have the chance to get more than the coins you insert into these machines so there is an incentive to win a bigger prize which somehow falls into a gambling category.

The games are for kids however so its sort of between the lines where you may not consider it gambling but because the prizes are just stuffed toys, gadgets, and so forth the regulators won't mind the business.

For me, claw machine has an element of gambling because we need to risk money in order to get a reward.  With that I also think that claw machines should be included in the gambling category.  Remember to get a prize on the claw machine, a person needs to risk his money and oftentimes the player loses and does not get any items on the machine.  While many think it is not a gambling game since skill is involved in the game, it can be refuted by giving sports betting along with poker as an example where skill-based games can be considered gambling.

So for me Claw machines should be included in gambling category because there is an element of gambling on that game.


And what about the money involved?  If the claw machines is exempted to be included in gambling category because skill is required for the game, then what about poker and sports betting?  As long as there is an element of gambling, I believe it should be included in the gambling category.

I have seen those machines before here in my city and I have only tried them once or twice when I was youger. My family in general has always assumed those machines to be some kind of soft scam or something like it.  :P
I don't think those crane games and machines are completely related to gambling, actually, because of the luring prizes somethimes are put puporsely in them I would dare to say it would be better to wager money on sport bets or in probably fair games. Crane games are purposely too attractive to ignore (cash, high tech video consoles, expensive games and watches, etc).
It would seem to me the mechanism behind the crane is conceived on purpose so it will open a bit right before lifting the prize most of the times, to it would become very unlikely for anyone to actually pick up something good.
It is about comon sense, I think. If the owners of those machines are willing to risk literal packs of cash, still they need to guarantee the machine to be profitable, so it is likely thay are rigged somehow for someone to have almost no chances to win.
Not even keeping in mind the owners of those machines could also shield themselves behind the fact the player is the onw who decides who to manouver the claw, so there is less likely for the tricky mechanism to be spotted.

I would rather to stick to dices and a bit of plinko, it sounds fairer.  ::)

It can be under the gambling category because people are gambling their money just to get these stuffed toys. But tell you what, very rare that a person can grab those stuffed toys. Yeah, I tried that several times before just for the sake of trying it. But the chance of getting that is slim in my opinion, given the fact that the time frame is very short. Thus, these claw machines are literally just eating your tokens.

It may not be seen as part of hard core gambling games, but in my opinion, it is considered as gambling. Just refresh your mind about the definition of gambling -

"Gambling is the wagering of something of value on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling

You would really be able to realize for yourself that those things are indeed that soft-scam. Never ever in my life and experience on getting a stuff toy or hitting up those gadgets or money
out of a claw machine and those shit claws are designed to be that too soft or having no force whenever it clips. You could try all you want but it would really be ending up on a none good result
but if course there would really be those people who do able to get some stuff if they were lucky, but in overall i dont see for it to be a gambling but rather to be an entertainment
of a certain user who would really be tending up to deal up with it. Staked money isnt really just that too big for you to consider that you are gambling out. You've been trying out your
shot on getting some prize out of that single coin you do put on but of course it would really be just that depending or basing up on someones approach and sentiments into their minds
if they would really be treating it up as some sort of gambling.

I'd much rather consider the one where you just put in coins and wait for it to fall gambling than this one. Rather than gambling, I'd most likely assume that machines only allow a set % of players to actually win by manipulating say the claws grip or timer or something. It's just that there are so many things the machine owner can do to cheat the system that it doesn't seem like gambling or skill anymore, just random winners.

Though in hindsight I guess rigging it makes it more of a gamble than a skill.

Yes, if only the one you will get is also money, I mean when the prize inside the claw machine is also money, then I consider it gambling, because you will use money in order to play and also will get money when you grab something. But the thing is, a claw machine is a difficult game or machine. Even if you are skilled, you can't do anything if the machine is rigged or the machine has certain conditions or a certain number of attempts, like a probability, but I doubt a claw machine with money in the prize will let the players get or grab the prize easily. Anyway, if this claw machine with money in price becomes famous, then most likely it will only be played in physical casinos and not online because, for sure, gamblers will not play the online or virtual version of the claw machine as it can be suspicious or cannot be trusted.

I haven't really thought much about it since it's usually kids who enjoys this but I guess you could consider it gambling but in a different form or "lighter version". I mean if there's no guarantee that you could get something in return after spending money then that's similar to casino games.

Gambling is any form of staking a fund and expecting a possible outcome in your favour, provided you are risking something to get another which isn't it's equivalent then there's every tendency of gambling in what you are doing so gambling doesn't have to be when you visit a casino and then you place a bet on a certain game and then you hope to win and if you don't you would then assume it wasn't a fair enough.

I will literally consider this to be gambling because it also has got some point of possible addiction,it can actually get to the point where it will become addictive to those who always goes to try and see if they will ever get lucky with it and just like t he casino game they may aswell lose their funds too and if they aren't disciplined enough to know when to stop, they would most likely end up loosing all their funds trying to get sometimes off their trials on the machine with several attempts so it's actually a gambling game but then this actually looks more fun and less serious.

I don't think any special Skil is required for this because the machine literally overwrite it's position at intervals so even if you think you have studied it well enough you may still be unlucky meanwhile someone who has just tried once or twice could turn out to be the lucky one and win so it doesn't look to me like a special skill is required to be able to play the game well and possibly get lucky enough to win something off it.

Though, if those claw mechanisms are truly something which we could consider to be some kind of soft scam, then I wonder who they are allowed to operate and get imported to countries of both the developed world and the developing world.
At least, when you play lottery or dices on an online casino, you have some disclaimer on the stadisitical approximate chances you have in order to win the prize. With these claw machines there is no disclaimer or easy way for one to be aware what they actual possibilities are. Perhaps, that is what the operators of those machines count on, on the ignorance of the people and the greed when they see those big prizes stockpilled at the bottom of the machine.
I am sure less people would feel appealed by those claws if there was a disclaimer by the machines saying the chances of winning are approximately 1 in a 100.000 or something like it.

Since gambling is a regulated business, they are in the obligation to be probably fair and inform their gamblers of the chances of winning and also about the values of gambling responsibly. Claws are not regulated, it seems, so I bet it is a very grey area for people to make money with them in fairs and events, when children are around.

It's funny how gambling are defined, but in my opinion, the moment people pay for a chance to win something, then we're dealing with gambling. If people were paying and receiving something without having any chance of losing their money because they didn't get it right, then that is gambling. gambling is any game that involves money and bets on a specific event. If two people are playing cards without betting money, then it is not gambling, but when they bet money, then it is gambling. and I believe that these Claw Machines need a license to be operated


source: https://thesun.my/style-life/going-viral/claw-machines-are-a-form-of-gambling-and-it-is-a-sin-to-play-them-LC9307409

I must agree with the words of this Malaysian government department, in a way this game can destroy children, because they will think that they need to play to win things and if parents take children to play frequently, then the consequences in the future will be serious. Children shouldn't play games to have some kind of compensation. they must play with toys that their parents buy. but our society is heading down an ungoverned path. Many parents don't have time for their children so to make it up to their children they will do things like this

OP it is 100% gambling. One you can mostly find claw machines in the casinos, so you are charged a certain amount to play it. The risk in the game is extremely high since it is to successfully have a strong grab after several failed attempts.

By the way i still see claw machines as a rigged game. And i expect gamblers to take less risk playing claw games. There is wide spread of rumors that the owner of claw machines mostly customized it to win 1/50 attempts, some who have pity would make it 1/20. Such game is consider having lesser payouts to the gamblers. Although it is cheaper to lay that is why people try so many times to see if they can win by all means.

It is gambling because you have to insert coin which is like the deposit we do in casinos in return to have a chance to win a stuff toy or anything that's inside the claw machine.

I don't usually win there and it's like 1:100 to me.

Both IMHO.

I am not sure with those tiktok videos that they're able to cheat out a claw machine and they were winning like it's a normal day to them for every token they insert.

No, I don't think that is gambling. I played that just recently with my kids and it's just a game. But, I don't really like playing those because the chances of losing are way higher than it is with winning, yeah that sounds like gambling. :D
Those claws are always slippery, they made it that way so that it's rare to win or else they keep on refilling those boxes with toys and plushies. I am not good at it, that's all I can say. One of my kids though was happy when he played it, he clawed a lot of ticket bracelets out so he got to buy some toys in exchange for those tickets. It can still bring happiness to kids but I don't it can with oldies who knows it's difficult to win those claw games. I mean I'd rather buy the damn plushies than waste way more money in trying to get them that way.

I really do not think this is gambling. This is fun rather because of the nature of the game. This game can be played with the family in a kind of outing where you and your family can just try their luck one after the other in the open and it is always done in the open for all to see.
This type of game does not require skills or tactics to win them but rather being smart enough to play the game. I believe good gamers are likely to win this more because they always play game often and know how to play games of this nature without any much stress on their path.

I have heard rumors, that claw machines are programmed that claws will fully close only every 10th, for example, attempt. In all other 9 attempts, claw did not close full. Since people randomly choose toys and aim randomly, it is hard to tell which attempt will be «that one that is true». This might be fake, I am not an expert, did not test that strategy. But how else can we describe why toys squeeze out from claws most of the time, and there is one attempt when they close as strong as bear trap. If there were no skill needed, everyone would always win. For me gambling is combination of a bet, random/luck, prize. Claw machine has all of these, so it is gambling for me.

These stupid claw machines extract a decent amount from me whenever I go with my children to some entertainment place. It is useless for me to persuade children to give up such entertainment since I am sure that the machines are configured in such a way that, at the right moment, their desired toy will fall. In addition, in a simple store, these prizes are much cheaper than the number of coins that we spend on the next attempt. However, I don’t think that this is a game of chance; otherwise, one would suspect the children of gambling. It's just fun, and getting some laughter and joy is always good, especially when kids laugh.

Although the game makes it seem like it's a game of skill  and so the players are trying to use their skills to "properly" capture the prize, I think whether the prize will be in your hands in the end totally depends on luck, so, I consider it as gambling. Everyone who played on Claw Machines even just couple of times in their life knows that. It's almost like thinking that if you stop the rolling of the reels on a slot at the "right" moment you'll win a big prize.

For me, I think it can be considered as gambling. Claw machines seem innocent fun and many people of different ages play the game, but, as you have mentioned, it involves risking money or a chance to win a prize. Like in gambling, it involves skills, odds, and luck. Skills on how you are going to maneuver the claw and position it correctly to get the price. Since the game is random, even skilled players struggle to win consistently. Then Odds, often stacked against players, making it difficult to win consistently. And Luck, whether the outcome of getting the prize is successful or not.

I've seen machines like this, even though gambling is illegal in my country, but if the machine looked like this it would definitely be banned because it involves money in it, usually I find machines like this in malls and in the machine there are lots of coins that have to be exchanged for cashiers. money or other prizes but I don't consider it completely gambling because if it was categorized as gambling it would definitely be prohibited, especially since the machine is available in the biggest mall in my country.

I just think that the machine is only a game in my opinion and is only for entertainment and is also played by children, even though it is true that there is a slight element of gambling in it where we have to bet with the coins we use to play the game, but it doesn't involve money. real, aka special coins from the shop, besides games like this, if I'm not mistaken, there are settings where it's not easy for people to win more than what is set, so I've never tried games like this even though I see them as interesting because I know I won't win them, lol Don't ever try games like this seriously, just use them as entertainment.

You're putting your hard-earned cash into a fancy box, hoping some mechanical arm grabs you a cheap plushie. That ain't skill, that's a gamble. It's the kid-friendly casino

Don't get me wrong, there's some hand-eye coordination involved, the best players do have an edge. But let's face it, these things are built to make you lose. That claw drops prizes almost as often as I drop truth bombs. Those odds? Worse than some of those deals the Democrats dream up

The truth is, they prey on that feeling of control. Makes you think you're about to win big, and that's the genius of it. But hey, claw machines, slots, same difference really; you're betting on luck, not on your talent. Just remember, the house always wins, even if the prizes are softer

For me no its just extracurricular activities which if you win you can get an item as rewards to the efforts you have done.

But you have the right to name it whatever you like since if you think its form as gambling since you need to spend some cash for low chance to get something in return then its fine as long as you have been satisfied with each participation you have been done, Also with the assessment of other people regarding on what is their view towards your questioned asked in this thread.

Here in my country these machines are a total success, I've tried playing a few times and the impression I have is that it is programmed to not be able to capture the prize because the claw to capture the prizes always seems to be weak.

The few times it appears to be programmed to make you win, you still need skill to capture the prize, it's a money machine (for its owner).

I don't like these machines, the impression is that there is no chance of winning.

I agree with you and I had the same opinion up to a certain point. Yes, it is clear that when the claw rises, it does not immediately grab the prize, but slowly closes when lifted. It really gives the feeling that it is not possible to grab the prize, but I want to tell you that when I traveled, in one of the southern countries
I saw a gumball machine that literally emptied a similar machine. It was like a miracle. She stood there and pulled something out of the machine every time! I do not know where this can be learned, but after that I realized that some people know how to handle a claw like a pro.

Hey man I disagree, this is gambling whether you call it stake or anything else it doesn't change the fact that you are gambling with your money to win or earn a reward on return. It may not meet your criteria of what gambling may mean to you but it's not just a game in as much as money has been risked in to play

For you to be skillful at any game you have  to be smart about it, inversely without being smart while on a game our skill will be under utilize limiting the chances of winning especially in gambling games that requires much part of the input of our skills to profit. There are types of gambling we partake in that doesn't require odds, in fact, odds isn't a yardstick to determine if an activity is gamble or not, it just doesn't count unlike when money is involved.

There are persons that can still get addicted to the game due to the fun it provides, perhaps this particular doesn't appeal to your kind of popular games that's why it doesn't narrow to your viewpoint as gambling in anyway.

It's good to have a differing opinion. It creates room to buttress our point.
In most claw machine you win a prize and not money. If you are winning prize you cannot call it gambling. In gambling you win cash.
You simply put in a coin and use the claw to grab or push the teddy into an opening. If you are successful. Your prize is the teddy and not cash. Would you call this gambling?

Before you bring up an counterargument, keep in mind this definition of gambling by McGill University (https://youthgambling.mcgill.ca/Gambling2/en/adolescents/whatisgambling.php)Gambling is taking part in any game or activity in which you risk money or a valuable object in order to win money.

I wouldn't personally consider this gambling, but a "game of skill". I think there is an actual legal difference between the two in some countries.

In this one, you are basically playing a game like in a fair. It's a skill game, that is usually hard to get the prize.

In a casino, the games are random. You basically throw a dice and get a result. This one is just skill.

Also, you get a prize, not money. And also you probably won't spend all your life savings there anyway.

Well, they are games that may or may not be considered a sort of gambling depending on what you are trying to get after paying a couple of bucks or a dollar for every attempt. If you are playing the game to catch money inside the machine and you know that the funds inside the machine are higher than what you have to spend to play and you think of it as an opportunity to earn money, then it's gambling, for sure.

However, if you are playing the game to get a gadget or maybe a doll or something then it shouldn't be considered gambling. Besides, most of such machines are kept in places where people go with families so that kids see the dolls and stuff and make their elders play the game so the owners can earn some money from that.

I still maintain my stands on the premise that on account of you risking money into the game it automatically becomes a gambling activity be it the rewards is in cash or any prize item.  We have many definitions of gambling and there is none that is universally accepted which makes each definition subjective of the author's perspective towards what should be classified as gambling.

Here's another definition I dug out from my own end which the first supports yours while the second definition supports my view too: That's why I can say we are both not wrong in which ever way to view claw machine  in regards to gambling

Definitions (https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-transsion&sca_esv=5776479ede210184&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ACQVn0-xqYuEFl21hYoG3Ht6vrRjo_qILQ:1712054122633&q=gambling&si=AKbGX_q870E3DK3nJ7cu3BOD7pxCvcPZJWBS5ayUYJsYZ7KV9NV2bIgZmjoEtOI7HHs038Qid5l6c19F2yFOtwxpBI0huH5IcaGbHmpw8DzV5NwNPdueZRM%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiy88LOqqOFAxXoQEEAHYDdBAMQ2v4IegQIERBj&biw=360&bih=716&dpr=2)
1. play games of chance for money;
2. take risky action in the hope of a desired result.

Have you ever noticed how rare it is to see someone actually win in a claw machine?
It seems that these toys are always out of reach. I wonder if there is a way to check the winning percentage in any claw machine. It would be interesting to know if these are really fair games or if they are designed to make winning almost impossible.

The next time I see such a game, I may have to do a little investigation to see if there is a pattern in the winnings. I will just stand and watch how many people win and how many lose. Personally, I've never had any luck with claw machines.

Also i have never seen claw machine with a cash, which showed on a thread starter pics.

For me everything that involves money is already form of a gambling like this claw machine. You have to insert some kind of tokens, (you exchange your money to tokens in the counter), and then play it.

But I've seen people becoming like sort of professional though, but for sure they have spend a lot of money in this kind of clawing machine to be familiar on how it really works and sort of hack it to win. So you developed some sort of skills here before you can win.

I find this game very interesting because winning or losing will be determined by my efforts, but I have never seen this machine in my location. If the items are made of slippy objects, gamblers would some device means of beating the difficulty in winning. Maybe wearing a rough clove or touching some materials before playing might be the trick.


This is pure gambling because you are staking money with the aim of winning something. Playing the game is not free and there is a reward, it's gambling. Proffesional gamblers will soon discover ways of beating the house. I also think that the operators will keep upgrading on the means of playing the game to check and reduce cheating. I think this game is skilled based since it require human efforts to win..

With the way you define the games it looks like its skill-based and that makes it better, at least you will know deep down that you are the one that sucks big time with the game, not in others where you will be doubting if the game is even fair or not.

Still some luck is presence in this game, you can miss your target as times or hit the bull's eye, but I kinda like this more than some casino Games, I can just decide yo practice some throwing skills, and the amount to risk on this type of game will be less.

Because there aren't millions of dollars probably waiting for you somewhere, like the fake hopes given by casinos, this is no form of addiction on this part, what you are aiming for is minimal, gadgets and a few other toys, this is where the fun will be acknowledged.

This claw machine can be categorized as gambling, but depending on the developer you can get prizes from this machine very easily or difficult. Like my brother, he was able to get prizes easily from the claw machine, so he already had a list of machines in which places were easiest to manipulate with his tricks. The funny thing was that at one time, because he had already won several prizes, security even detained him because he was accused of manipulating the machine, but in the end he was released because it was not proven, and the next day the machine was withdrawn LOL. So I see that depending on the developer of this claw machine, the possibility of getting the prize can be very easy or very difficult.

Let's use a definition from Cambridge dictionary because it's one of the best international dictionary.


Since in claw machines you're only able to get stuffs, not money, you're not gambling even though you're risking your money.

If you judge claw machine as a form of gambling, then I would say:

1. School competitions or organization contests that ask you to pay fees in order to join is gambling.

2. Take a college is also gambling because you're paying tuition fees and you want to get certificate in order to get better opportunity, while there's no guarantee you would graduate.

3. Business is also gambling because you're risking your money to buy materials etc and there's no guarantee people would buy your products.

Look at the two definitions and tell me which one appeals more to casinos, and sports betting. Your second definition pertains to life endeavors and has no correlation with casinos or sports betting. Having established this, do you now agree that claw machines is not gambling even though they can be rigged like slots machine. The difference between the two is that in the former you will prize while in the latter you win cash. However, arguing whether it gambling or not doesn't matter. From this Wikipedia article claw machine may be considered gambling depending on its jurisdiction.

For example in the state of California, claw machine according to the law is considered gambling device. See this answer given by an attorney in one of the online forums.

A quick google search of "definition of gambling" will lead you to this one:
Let's consider the 3 elements that must be present in Claw machines.
1. Amount Wagered - In order for a person to win on claw machine, he must use his own money, or buy tokens to play the game.
2. Risk - of course there's a risk on claw machines. Risk of not getting the price for various reasons such as: you don't know the game, you are dumb, etc.
3. Prize - no further explanation because we know that we are playing the game because there's a prize on it.

Just by looking at these 3 elements, we can say that claw machine is considered as gambling because you are wagering your money for the sake of the prize, and of course there's a risk that you might not get that prize.

I have never thought gambling could be restricted to only cash rewards until now when it has been a topic for debate and here I am actually wondering what I could describe or call this claw machine. 
For one, gambling has been used in reference to many concepts not only because money must be the used or earned, but also because it can refer to a very risky and deadly endeavor.
When parents speak to their children on making a decision about their academic future, they could often use a sentence that involves the word 'gamble,' but without meaning it to be, placing money to win or loss money.
For example, Please John, don't gamble away this once in a life time scholarship opportunity to study at this highly reputable college.
This sentence uses the word gamble but doesn't mean staking money to win or loss money.

I considered it as some type of a normal game because that kind of claw machine is usually found in arcade game,
I don't consider it as a type of gambling knowing that there is money involved, why? because we use tokens here to play, yes there is money involved at first but you will be using it when you buy token coins and that's what you use to play on the claw machine. usually in claw machines there is a trick because some of the hooks in it don't really get items but there are some people who are very good at playing it, I also often try things like that when I go to arcade shops and it's really rare to get a prize Another reason why it should not be considered as gambling is because when you win by playing it, the winning prize is some cute items, not the exact money.

^^ But still, how do you get those tokens? right, you will buy it with your money and so that is already the very definition of gambling per se. Risk that involves money is already gambling and this is just a way for this arcade to hide it and make it fun specially for kids to play claw machine ask their parents for their money and play.

It doesn't mean that because it's token and then you are not being rewarded by money is not going to fall on the category of gambling.

How do we defined gambling?
In short form; gambling is anything stake with money for intention to receive a large or equals amount in return. So, to say this is gambling and it requires luck for you to win something from the machine and if you don't win then the other person enters to play since there are lots of people wanting to play. if there were no fund included then we can say is not gambling, as far as cash is involved for exchange for another higher or lesser amount then we can consider it to be gambling. This types of gambling are mostly skill based gambling because you must use yourself to play the game, so you must be technical enough or to discover the secret behind the winning before you could be winning regularly unlike online based gambling.

Claw machines is the first form of gambling most of us were exposed to funnily enough.
It can very much be defined as gambling because really it's a game based on chance and the chances are fixed against you by the machine's computer. The machine has to always earn more than what the rewards inside it cost otherwise it's a pointless thing to host for any venue.

In my country there used to be many claw machines that had extravagant rewards like banknotes and even on some occasions gold coins. There was a crackdown in these as the law permitted police to seize them as unlicensed gambling machines. Really the same could be said for claw machines where the price is plushies, but at least it's not as obvious. I think persons under 15 should only be allowed there with adult supervision because otherwise the addictive nature of these machines can also get to them whereas there should be some limits.

Regardless of the standards, I would categorize it as gambling and put it on the lower end, like those games with loot boxes because you still win a prize, but the rates are worse than actual casino games. Luck is always a factor because claw machines can be modified to only work at a certain time and you don't know how many tries are needed before it hits that specific threshold where you can snag a prize. In the long run, the owner should always come out on top unless they didn't set it properly.

Claw machines can certainly feel like gambling to some extent, given that you're putting money in with the hope of retrieving a prize. But it rather generally considered games of skill rather than gambling. The outcome isn't left purely to chance since your control over the claw has a significant impact on whether you win.
And I think it regulated differently from gambling machines, which reflects this distinction. It's understandable to see them more as an arcade game, where the primary goal is entertainment and skillful play is rewarded with a physical prize.

This is actually a kind of gambling because you are buying things without any assurance of getting the items and you don't even have any consolation prize when you put your money inside the machines. Many get addicted of this because they see this kind of game in reels and short videos and once I saw someone wins some decent prizes from playing in this claw machine but they don't show how much they spend before that which make it obvious that they are just luring people to try this kind of game and get addicted by themselves.

Personally, I believe that it is  form of gambling simply because thereis a possibility of losing and winning something out of a stake or payment. It is just not alike with the traditional betting wherein high stakes are on the line. It is a form of gambling because of the idea of lacking assurance whether you'd win the prize despite of paying for your 'shot'. You are simply paying for the probability of getting more than what you paid for e.g $.5 for a stuffed toy. The claw machine's arm in most instances would be 'soft' to pull the desired prize off the machine. Well, indeed some people are using strategies to get the win but it doesn't work all the time and that still doesn't promote assurance, which for me, makes it a gamble.

Again, it is just different with traditional gambling games sinply because the prize is rarely money. Fun fact, any activity wherein someone will either gain or lose, tangible or not, reward or consequence, as long as assurance of winning or getting what you are expecting to have at the end of the game, would be considered as gambling.

I am not sure if these arcades have been setting up and making it easy to believe that each of us can win those toys that can easily be reached. It seems to me that they hire someone or one of their staff pretends to be a goer and just plays there casually with a lot of tokens and trying to get those toys that even if they're far from reach, they're attracting us as if they're easy to make. I am not sure if those tiktok videos that I have watched showing some tricks on how to easily take those toys are for real. It's a setup I believe and there's no hack in it and they are more of a promotional video that they're doing to attract goers go to them and buy tons of tokens or avail their discounted prices and promos.

I don't think that they're a fair game and none of them really is fair because it's a business. Expect that these games that can be found in amusement parks and arcades are there to play fair only for the establishment itself while giving small percentage of winners win. You see that these claw machines won't really have a strong grip unless you go in Japan and I think that games there are fairer and they're honest people. So, in the conclusion if these are gambling, I'd say yes. The same goes for the casinos that has their own tokens, we exchange real fiat money in exchange for their native tokens to be admitted and allowed to play inside.

Yes, this claw machine has become one type of gambling game machine which gives gamblers direct opportunity to create their own opportunities and luck by directing the existing claws.
But now the claw machine has been presented as game for children with lots of dolls, candy and chocolate in it so that if it is related to money, it is gambling, maybe the children who play are also indirectly gambling.
Hahaha, this is just joke, but in reality, several casino games have been converted into games for children and I have seen many of them in several supermarkets that provide special playgrounds for children.

Honestly, I have never played it, but seeing several adults play game like that, I feel how great it is and how much fun and adrenaline can get.
However, when gamblers only care about money and certain amount of profit, they will not care about fun or adrenaline because all they think about is how to produce the profit.

Life can also be considered as a gambling, and with this claw machines, I consider this as gambling because there's no guarantee that you will be rewarded after paying some to play, and that's my definition of gambling.

This can also be addicting and many in our locals who are already addict in this kind of game and other games in the amusement park, they spend the whole day just playing it in return of something that is not guaranteed. Well, we all have our own version of meaning of gambling, and for me this is gambling.

Yes, I can call these machines a different kind of gambling. After all, you pay money into the machine and in return you get a prize if you are lucky. For this not to be gambling, you should not win prizes with money. But you can also buy the toys you win from the machine in a toy shop. So you could also call these machines recreational machines.

I think it's complicated. Obviously, if I'm going to gamble, I want to win money. Because if I get a toy as a prize from these machines in exchange for money, I wouldn't call it gambling. I think it's a purely recreational activity. I am very confused about this. Because I can buy the toy from this machine from any toy store.

I do not play those games, because 90% of the time, those "claws" are rigged. Yes, people might spot the way that these machines operate and some might even find a way to exploit them to their benefit. (Like using a strong magnet to pull metalic objects)

I like to play games that are "Provably fair" and where a little bit of skill and knowledge might render you some profit and not just entertainment. These days games like that are scarce and most games are rigged for higher profit.  ::)

You are forgetting that 1 game cost less than the price of that toy. Even though they are extremely cheap, the cost of 1 game is still lower than toys actual price. So they arent just recreational machines.  And what about fact, that you risk all the time with money? What about a wish to win, not just buy a toy? People gamble to win, and it does not matter if they win $1 or $100000. They still be happy, only the amount of happiness will be different. It is gambling after all.

Although it has many qualities that are similar to gambling, such as luck, odds, and involves risking money, I don't think claw machines should be considered gambling. Because in claw machine any age can play the game, gambling has age restrictions when playing the games. Claw machines is a form of entertainment where you can get physical toys or plushies, although gambling is also seen as entertainment, claw machines are different in a way as for fun or challenge, than in gambling as risk-taking or financial gain or expectation of winning money.

A person who play claw machine also risk money when he tries to pull out a toy. The cost of 1 game < toy price. Win a toy and sell it = get money. Gambling has age restriction, but when gambling online age is rarely asked. During regular gambling gamblers are also get portion of entertainment. People also get addicted when they want to pull out one specific toy or item and start depositing money into machine like nuts. Everything looks identical.

This is gambling because you risk money to be able to get a prize, and even this can lead you to addiction that's why this machine is widely available in shopping centers or any other place that people around because many are interested and they will try to play to get the desired prize which sometimes the money spent has exceeded the price of the prize targeted.
I think this is much more difficult than slot games to get win, because I have never won it even though many videos appear that also show how difficult it is to win prizes in this game, and sometimes I think this is designed so that the chances of getting a prize are almost 0, and I think those who can finally win are those who have spent enough money on this machine.

The way claw machines work is that the owner sets how strong the claw can grab and it randomly grabs with different levels of pressure. Every once in a while it grabs with enough pressure to let you win something. While people may fool themselves into thinking it is a game of skill, it is chance that you get a strong enough grip to grab something.

Claw machine is on a top of category of things to avoid with kids. Trying to impress or make kid happy, parents spend tons of money on it. Every parents wants to be kids hero, who has got a toy. Buying toy is different. Winning it in a game of luck owners greed is different.

I have googled gambling machine and found this https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/gaming-machine-categories. According to it, claw machine or crane machine are D category gambling machine. Same as coin pushers. Even wikipedia say that claw machine are considered as gambling devices in some jurisdictions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claw_machine).

I have the same hunch, it's possible that the claw is set up on how tight or loose they can be to make it difficult for the players to get prizes. Of course, as a businessman who wants to make players happy, we can't agree that we won't make money from the machines we set up in our place, right? then others will even like to play it more because it is challenging to do. There are times when other players have techniques that make them win a lot of prizes, like when it was trending on social media that they used a magnet for the claw, but that's not allowed, because that's cheating.

And with that, maybe we can compare them to slot machines as well that can be set up with RTP so that it will be difficult for players to win same with claw machine and so it could be define as gambling already.

Maybe are hook in this game, specially young kids who is motivated to win big prices. But their young mind can't comprehend that the machine is rigged in the first place and the only way to win is by extreme luck that you get in at the right spot and bring it back to fall.

This type of game is just a casual game but does not bring a huge return of rewards, imagine you spend a lot of money just to get the particular reward you want this just bring fun and thrill but if you tried to compute the number of expenses to the actual price is doesn't worth it at all, this brings different effect the player because they keep a hard work to get the reward on the machine so that's the thing but unlike in slot games there's a potential chance of winning you earned back your losses plus having a profit.

I wouldn't say I haven't learnt one or two from this and it's quite interesting that we could disagree to agree with proven details to back up the arguments. So it's all a Matter of jurisdiction about the claw machine. But then;

About the meaning of gambling, in a broad sense I think my second definition covers it all in all aspect of the sense of the word "gambling". And I  can say @Stepstowealth  has saved me a lot of explaining just with the way he has couched it with added example of real life issues, which goes to show that gambling or gambling doesn't have to mean just about getting cash as profit or reward but as a phenomenon it goes beyond just cash for a price.

So is it wrong for some people to consider this claw machine as gambling when there are people who never get anything after playing it several times? I don't think there is anything wrong with this kind of opinion by some people because in gambling there is also such a thing as luck, even though not all ages are allowed to gamble because they remember the risks that must be understood. But it seems like this claw machine can be considered as anything because it wouldn't be wrong if someone thought of it as entertainment or gambling.

Hmm this is an interesting take- some might argue that it can be gambling; while others may view this as a source of entertainment. Personally, I view it as a form of gambling due to the nature and the risks involved.

In a claw machine, a person would need a coin in order to gain an attempt of getting the prize through the "claw" when you successfully snatched the item. Some may say that there has no skills involved in this game but again, slot machines are purely by luck.

The element of money is involved since you have to spend in order to gain an attempt. The element of prize is also involved since the "prize" is the toy or the item inside the machine. Lastly, the element of luck is present since there are times where the position of the items play a crucial factor on whether you could be successful or not.

In conclusion, claw machines are a form of gambling though not as aggressive compared to others due to the prize that a person may win.

to be honest, I never once played it in physical mode.  but at least a few times in online mode, even in ordinary games that are not related to betting. referring to your question, I actually can't answer for sure. however, based on my assumptions, this type of claw machine game can be classified as gambling. yeah, like you said. someone who wants to play it, has to dig into their pockets before they can start running the claw machine. It's just that there are differences with real betting or gambling, whether fictional or online based.
As far as I know, claw machines don't have to spend a large bankroll like we make deposits on our favorite casino sites. The claw machine has been set up in such a way, without having to involve large funds. I mean, just one penny we can use this machine. although, sometimes someone can do it repeatedly in order to get the available prizes. of course, we are very familiar with this claw machine, starting from dolls and currently innovating with the various prizes provided. yeah, at least in my country the prizes were initially dolls. but now, there is a variety offered by this type of claw machine. In essence, if money is involved, it is already classified as betting mode. although, there are differences with real gambling. Well, if I observe, there are many who try to do various tricks to get the prizes available. Sometimes, there are those who succeed even though they have done it repeatedly. but I can't comment too far, because I've never really played it. Whether using skills will work, I don't have the answer. I think luck also plays an important role when we play it.

Maybe is something more or less to a raffle draw whereby you win base on what your luck gives, it could actually be another form of having entertainment in satisfying their customers through engaging them into playing any of these games, but i don't want to see it as gambling since you're not using your personal money with the intention of winning or losing the bet you place, they are not gambling at all, but it may appear so to some as some of these shopping malls make use of such during their promo offers to their customers.

We do have our own impressions on things but we do know that when it comes to these claw machines then it would really be just that not that wrong on telling that these are gambling but actually
this is really just that for fun. You would really make yourself paying up for some fee or bet or whatever to get that stuff toys or whatsoever prize inside that machine. Risks is there but
when it comes to overall idea on how these machines been created in the first place then it is really just that for fun. There are really just that people who are really that having those kind of
insights that it is really just that like betting. This is why it would really just that a matter of approach which it isnt really that wrong after all.

I think it's another part of gambling, but the game is different and most of the people who play on claw machines like that are quite young, although there are some older people who also play.

It is gaming in nature and perhaps in the long run it has the potential to reach a much bigger stage, because when people bring their families to such places they can play while enjoying the challenge.
After all, when we visit certain places we will also spend money and maybe it will become a place for children to play.

This type of game is available in several places such as shopping centers and places where money games are made, what I see is that there are many games of this kind that are starting to be made for the benefit of young people. I don't think you need skill to play this game because it still relies on luck.

I think that promoters know perfectly well how to advertise a claw machine, and that's why there are so many videos with "secrets of success" in TikTok and similar video services where pretty girls easily pull out toys. I don't believe any of these videos and consider them promotional.

Judge for yourself: if you were the owner of a many o claw machines, would you not have made such promotional videos? after all, their cost is scanty: a hired girl and a tik tok.

It really depends on how an individual will view the claw machine. It can be viewed as gambling since you are risking your money. If money is involved and players are playing for the prize, especially if they are spending a lot, then it can be interpreted as gambling since some of the claw machines are influenced by chance. Another thing we can consider is that if the grip of the claw in the machine is randomized every time you try, it can be considered gambling since there are chances involved. On the other hand, it cannot be considered gambling since players are using a joystick or a controller to control the claw. With that, players are using their skill to get the prize rather than luck or chance, which are the key factors of gambling like slots and lottery. 

Gambling or not, the more important thing is that the player is having fun!

I am a fool to be honest and tried those tricks as if I am going to win all of those stuff toys that are inside the claw machine. Don't laugh at me as I did really tried it but nothing happened and I have wasted some money on it. So, that's actually a gamble that like someone gives a prediction or signal that everyone must follow but in the end of it, you get nothing and you'll just hear a "nice try" from those folks that have advertised it as is.

Yeah, hire a sexy tiktoker and you'll give her the incentive with some talent fee and also gifts from those claw machine. You only have to show the name of the arcade or establishment and you're good to go. This is very normal as many people are gullible in the internet and that includes me if it's with the matters of these toys since I want to have as much as I can and wanting to give my kid with those toys and also my kid relatives. Anyway, it's sure a lucrative business and that's why just as gambling, there are many people that goes there everyday trying their luck which is significant to gambling.

Without a doubt this is a form of gambling, it is just that it has become so common place that people no longer think about those machines on that way, however those machines fulfill all the conditions you may expect out of a slot machine, so it is important that parents keep a close attention to their kids and make sure they do not spend too much time on those machines, otherwise they may find themselves facing the terrible problem of having their child developing some gambling issues at a very early age.

These machines are not random. That's a crucial difference to a slot machine.

On a slot machine you simply press a button and the outcome is defined by chance.

In these machines you have way more control over the outcome. You can maneuver the grip in both directions, and choose when to send it to grab stuff. There's a lot of skill to this. Of course it's difficult to win, but the outcome is not random.

Huge difference, even legal in some places as in, anyone can put these machines but you would need a license for the slot machines.

For me claw machines require little skill to play, as everything depends from how owner set claw strength. User can simply randomly move controller and randomly choose item. If claw closing strength is enough, it will hold the prize like close grip. But in most cases we see how claw shakes and drops the prize the next second claw was closed. However that is ok. Low skill requirement is perfect for everyone to try to win the prize.

Well, you have a point, since there is a money involve by doing this, It is advisable to all parents out there to watch their children playing this, maybe for other people they will not consider it as a gambling because it is placed in public arcade places where the first thing people will think is that it is just a normal game.Maybe it depends on us how we will think about the claw machine, whether it is a type of gambing or is it just a normal game? no matter what it is, there's only one thing that's important here, let's be a responsible players. If we feel that the machine is cheating us because it's rare to get stuff in it, we should think about whether the time and money we spent for the prize we can get is worth it? others don't look at what they can get because they are focused on the thought that they got a prize using the claw machine, they are challenged because many people try to play it but they don't get anything until they run out of tokens.

I think of it a bit as of fair games. Everything is kinda set up for the player to lose but still being a bit close to winning.

Very similar to gambling. But in my mind there is the difference that the outcome is not generated at random. There is some level of skill involved.

This is mostly a skill game rather than gambling.You know everything you need to know here and there are no hidden surprises like a changed RTP so much common nowadays in absolutely every reputable casino and new ones.In here if you are skillful enough or better smart enough to learn the patterns of how those prizes move by trying a few times it can make you skillful enough to get the paper money or the best electronic gadget these machines offer.

I would call claw machine a very light version of gambling. Because it might cause interest, but not addiction. Never heard that someone is addicted to claw machines. It is easy to stop. And when you get that prize, you stop gambling and it does not motivate you to continue. Greed factor is very little in this case.

I see that South Park has mentioned it can develop addiction among kids, but from what I saw, kids stop when they get a plushie prize. After getting a toy, I have never seen them asking for more or other. They focus on one specific, you get it for them and you are a hero for the rest of the day.

Yes, they make you think that whether you win or no depends on your actions, while you can perfectly catch the prize with the claws and then it drops off for no reason. You have the same feeling with slots when you four scatters to get the bonus round and you already have three and there are a lot of rolling reels and you expect to see another scatter on one of them but end up empty handed. It's a typical gambling thing those Claw Machines are.

For me I consider it as a gambling because you risk your money in order to get the prize that you want.
For me everything that have a risk is gambling, I mean those that depend much more on luck without much skills needed.
Any games or form of entertainment with money or risk involve I consider those as gambling.

yep, of course it's one of the skill based gambling game categories.
the main reason why I say this is because something is at stake and to produce something certain, it can be said to be gambling and the claw machine is one of them.
it is impossible to pick up money using the claw even though the claw has been designed in such a way as to make it difficult for customers to get the money.
it's the same as lifting a large stone using only 3 fingers.
sometimes this type of game really attracts beginner gamblers who think it is very easy to get money but when you spend money trying it it will still be difficult and for me in the long run it won't work unless you have the right tricks to be able to take the money.

but if there is one person who is successful in getting money using the claw, the staff or owner of the claw machine will definitely rearrange the claw to provide new difficulties.
so that when people who have previously succeeded in getting money from the machine use tricks or skills that were previously used, they will definitely not succeed.

Oh yes I would consider such gambling game specifically a game of fun challenging and daring to make sure you pick up something and with some technical factors demanded so that what you picks does not fall off due to the slippery key stick, I  would consider it a skillful game but alongside luck is still involved because your skills can not do it all.

It would actually be much game of funs because I Will always come with friends to play in challenging each other on who would be successful on the picks. There also we can have a P2P bets amongst us.

At this level of game people will look at the ability to play even though it cannot be separated from luck, games like this are considered not to have the same vision as gambling, even though in plain terms they may be a little more similar.
I usually take my loved ones to a place like that to play one or two times, but the prizes are dolls and other toys, to play the game like that we have to put in a few coins.

I think the opportunity in the long term will be an alternative for people who are addicted to gambling. Although I don't know whether that will be the solution because this game can be played casually when we visit during work holidays with the family.

How does one determine though if the claw strength can be adjusted or controlled? I've tried all those YouTube hacks in claw machines including the ones you've mentioned but I just end up being frustrated with my tokens gone. I do see some people being able to get small prices but the ones that are a bit pricey? Haven't seen any take home a price. I look at it as a scam because I haven't won anything from the time I started playing, lol.

I don't recommend playing this machine since there's no fairness certification, unlike slot machines with certification or a license. If the prize is just a toy, then it's not gambling by definition, but if the prize is money, then it's gambling. This machine is easy to tweak or compromise, so even if you're a skilled "crawler," you still can get bad results. There are many YouTube videos testing and explaining this machine.

In a casino the prizes are tokens, redeemable to money.

Not sure if that is the main difference as you can also exchange the toy for money.

I think the main difference, legally speaking, is that one is a game of chance (gambling) and the other is a game of skill (crawl machine)

If you havent wont anything that does not mean this is a scam. You have said it yourself - you saw people winning small prizes. Claw machines are sort of gambling, when you know the machine is rigged, you know that owner is going to cheat you, but you still try your luck and try to get the prize with minimum attempts. It is possible to get any prize from that machine, gamblers just need to be more persistent. A lot of people try to get prize with first attempts, with spare change they have, as well as they dont this game serious. That is why they lose and call it scam. I dont use this machines frequent, as I rarely have coins and they dont accept cards. But in a tourist places abroad, I have managed to get plush toys several times.

I actually think that these types of machines are now getting extinct, the same goes with the arcade games and rides because kids or people now are more hooked or their eyes are rather glued on the screens of their gadgets but they are a hella fun thing to do.

I want them now more than before because I can now afford to spend more money and play time with them as I already have a job. I think it only involves a small level of skill but most thing that matters here is luck, just like any other gambling games, as that is the only way for them to stay longer in this business even though there is another thing that has taken them down. I already said the reason earlier.

All of these machines have customization options and its owner can customize it in such a way that you will never win a prize. Therefore, I would say that these are not games where skill matters, but gambling, since essentially the owner controls the odds and naturally he sets them so that he always wins on average.
Other types of such machines (for example, where you have to push out a prize through holes of different diameters) are 100% gambling, since in them, despite the fact that you control the joystick, this does not in any way affect getting into the desired holes. The frequency of hits is adjusted in the device itself and the player’s efforts mean nothing.

I love claw machines, and I love those machines where you put in quarters that roll down in to the main machine that has some sort of pushing mechanism where you can eventually/potentially win a bunch of other quarters as well as they typically add in stuff like jewelry, stuffed animals and things of that nature.  I definity view it as a form of gambling, personally.  I think there are better ways to gamble, but it's just for fun.

I feel like that's what they are. Just a way for the owners to make some money because the machines usually have cheap stuff in them. You see a wrist watch that looks good but it's going to be a cheap knockoff most of the time. Sure it's worth more than you pay for the game but it's still not going to be a big win if you get it.
There are claw machines where you try to get real money, like dollar bills inside containers, but that's a rarity.

Anyway, claw machines are just like normal slots, but you get less for the money and they are often rigged.

I didn't say it's an actual scam, though. It's a personal point of view, and I'm sure I'm not the only one seeing it that way. Also, being persistent means spending more time and money on something that would probably be cheaper if you buy directly. You'll be spending a lot more trying to get plush toys from claw machines than buying these toys from actual toy stores. There are people who are good in playing claw machines but I'll bet there are a whole lot more who just end up spending on tokens and getting nothing. It's generally a good place to waste time and money. Note the term "waste" :D

Scam words into those people who are really that been trying out to get something out of those claw machines but still end up on failing just like me but i dont have those kind of views  but there are really moments that you could really say that it was rigged or not really be possible on getting one and this is why you cant really be getting one which there are those times.
Although you have seen someone who do able to pull one on which you would really be making yourself having that kind of persevering on getting one too.

Can it be considered gambling? Well it would really be just that depending into your approach because if you are making up some paying up for the sake of fun and there
are ones who do make out some bets on getting something. It would really be just that depending on how someone will really be treating up this one.

i think that the claw machine is a type of gambling, because you bet a certain amount of money to be able to move the machine to get various prizes in it. but some people say it is a game based on skill, others say it is luck. personally, i would say it is both, because each machine can be different depending on the developer. there are machines that can be easily moved and get prizes if we understand the tricks, but there are also machines that are quite difficult to get prizes in. so it can vary depending on the machine.

I see a claw machine as some kind of entertainment, as in playing in those games at carnivals.

Having a look at wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_game) it shows that there are actually two types of these games, one that is skilled based, and one that is chance based. In the latter case then it would be similar to gambling.

Interesting.

There is a commonly shared definition of gambling, but even more important than that definition is the semantic field you personally link to that word.

To me, everything that has to do with chance and money is a way of gambling. Trading is a way of gambling (unpopular opinion), hodling is a way of (long term) gambling, loots in video games that can be sold for real money are a way of gambling and, therefore, the machine in the last screenshot, as long as it is real money, is a clear way of gambling.

And what about legacy claw machines? as long as the prize has nothing to do with money, it doesn't fully fall under my definition of gambling. But it is a game based on chance where you look for something you want... so, to me, we could say that it is some kind of semi-gambling, although not in the tradicional sense of the term.

Working is also a way of gambling, because money are involved and there are chances not to get paid :D Think about that all of you who say gambling is bad because it raises addiction :D All of you are already addicted gamblers ha-ha.

Btw, all that video gaming stuff (skins, loot boxes, purchases to get extra strength over regular players) does not defined as gambling (at least from what Ive heard). Its in-game purchases. Even though players pay real money to test their luck.

For me, claw machines are a light version of gambling. Kids oriented gambling. Because they often are located at arcade game areas. But, since its idea is exchange of money for a chance, that is gambling for me.

The only way to say claw machines isn't gambling if we can play for free, as long as you need to stake something valuable or money, it's fall to gambling, no matter what the prize or reward is.

It's bold to say slots are rigged games, it's luck based games. Perhaps you didn't trust the gambling providers, that's why you say it's rigged. Claw machines is different, we can see how the claws is really weak and can't even grab the stuffs.

Well, technically they are, as they have designed to be work around for gambling regulations. Regulations on those can vary a lot, and so do the prices. I would assume that even owners of claw machines can't keep up with rapidly developed laws around them, as it's not too long ago as i saw i phones as price as a part of a carnival, that was passing by. And obviously drunk poor people saw that as an opportunity to show of their skills. These days that would get them charges on fraud because i am certain there are price limits for prizes on them.

Personally i don't see them as gambling because they are proven to be rigged many times, so i would classify them as scams.

That seems like a fair assessment, I mean those claw machines give the impression you can win with some regularity as the machine is not completely random and your input supposedly can determine the outcome, however if this was true then a few persons should be able to get all the prizes out of those machines, but since this is not the case, it is clear the claw machine must have been manipulated in some way for this to not happen, so in a way they are a form of scam.

Yeah, maybe. I actually see them more closely related to scams than gambling like you said...

But I wouldn't say they are a scam, because you can in theory win the prize. It's just very unlikely.

But it's also not gambling because even though it is unlikely, it is not random. It's just a very difficult thing to do.

But you have heard stories that casinos scam their customers. With surprised KYC before withdrawal for example. Yet I believe you do gamble anyway. Even if claw machines are scam, they are kind of a soft scam :D They wont scam you for thousands or millions. And you will get a prize in the end with some persistence, while it will take hell of a time and luck to win jackpot even if you are super persistent. As a light form of gambling, claw machines does not require special licenses to operate. What I say, that even if they are scam, nobody cares as long as they get their plushie :D

It's not a game of skill, many people in this thread said it, and I agree with them. It's an illusion that the creators of this game bore in mind when they were making it. It would be a game of skill, more or less, if after you captured the prize it were guaranteed that you'll get it. Unfortunately, we all know that more often than not it's not the case.

They are rigged as hell. When I was a kid, claw machines and other similar machines were very popular, especially the one where you had to put the coin and you would receive nothing or it would be randomly multiplied and available for withdrawal. I had a stroke of very good luck on both machines, I remember my father was thirsty and I won a beer on the claw machine, he was very happy. I also had a moment in my life when I won so much on one of these machines during my childhood that they banned me and prohibited my father from bringing me these machines, I clearly remember those days.

I personally consider claw machines a category of gambling because it's very similar to slots machine, you put the coin and then you depend on your luck, you might win something or not, just like in slots.

I think it depends on where you live too no? Some countries are strict with rules related to microtransactions and as far as I can tell most gamers seem to agree that gacha or loot boxes in general are a form of gambling. Skins or in-game cosmetics should be different though, since there's no randomness over there. I believe claw machines are quite similar to skins in the sense that the randomness is not as big as others, or exists at all. I do agree that it still has gambling elements regardless of how people justify its existence and placement in public places.

Claw machine are similar, but not as addictive as in-game purchases. In-game purchases, now that is a real gambling addiction, not slots or table games. In regular gambling, you at least might get something (money) in exchange for spend money. Claw machines gives you toys. In-game purchases gives you... extra lives, skins, higher jumps or something random. They are more evil than regular gambling. As it is a form of a legal cheating or useless crap in exchange for money.

I have seen people winning prizes at some claw machines, so it is possible.

Of course some machines might be rigged, as every machine is different. But in theory, it should be possible to win.

That claw machine is difficult when you play it; you need two other tokens to play it. It's rare to win that claw machine, but there are others who are obsessed with it and have fun with it because the others seem to have a technique to do it. And I don't know what that is.

Second, can that be considered gambling? because you are not betting on anything, but once you can drop a token, then you can perform clawing; whatever you get that can be stuck
in the claw is yours.

A few months ago, I even found it in my brother's shop.
Claw machines like this have been set so that claws are not easy to grip dolls, so more experiments will be done to try to take dolls.

Believe it or not, according to some people or according to technicians, there are several techniques that can be done such as swinging the claw and then dropping it or waiting until the claw time ends, or before the claw drops automatically.

I tried everything but some did fail, but sometimes with the swing technique I can pick up some dummy with a lot of trying.
If this is said to be gambling, maybe it could be like that because there will be an addictive effect to keep trying and trying again until you get a doll.

In fact, I can try dozens of times to get a Doll that is certainly not more expensive than the money I spent to buy coins.
The claw machine is only an entertainment and not to be used as a place to make a profit.

Damn right, are they a scam? I am not exactly sure, but the odds are certainly not in your favor. God, these are awful machines. They have a worse grip than a newborn baby, and 9 out of 10 times when you pick something up, it'll fall right next to the exit latch. I've remembered them since childhood, and I don't recall ever winning anything. Can they be considered gambling? Certainly yes. Not all claw machines have stuffed animals inside; there are others that feature expensive devices, watches, electronics, or even cash prizes. There are even found in casinos, while they're spreading like a virus at almost every location.

It is not considered to be gambling because the element of fairness is absent due to the owner of the machine being able to adjust its sensitivity any time they wish. Customers have no way of knowing beforehand that it is rigged against them, you just have to assume that it might be. There is no way to come up with odds of actually getting a prize, but the odds can be zero in some cases.

For games of luck, participants are betting with variables that they are familiar with. With these rigged games, however, you are going in entirely blind, not knowing whether you are flushing money away.

Claw machines come under the arcade games category not really under gambling but for the sake we can say we spent a penny to take that call. Claw machines are rigged but users who has skills know how to make use of it, like you said swinging technique is one of the effective method to get the prize but we don't really play for the prize but just to experience it right?

Well it looks like to win, you'll have to make multiple attempts. I've seen someone on youtube that it takes a few consecutive tries before the clamp becomes stiffer or more rigid. If that's the case, I don't see why it's not a scam. People would be drawn to play amidst multiple losses just to get a prize that's not worth the amount of the tokens you've used. But I understand some people who feel that this needs perseverance. I just don't share their few. It's not something that I would want to persevere for since I see it as a waste of money. The process is even more annoying that enjoying. Again this is my perspective and, of course, there are people who do enjoy this activity despite the disappointments that come with actually getting a prize.

True, many people don't know that the grip strength can be tweaked, so that it is loose for x amount of rounds.
This way even if the player aligns it perfectly with the target, the prize will fall prematurely before being delivered to the hole.
So two factors play and contribute to the winning chance: (1) grip strength and (2) positioning. Basically, whether or not the player is skilled, there is still randomness in the game.

When the claw machine has been rigged, of course, it will be a claw machine that is difficult to conquer.
But there will always be other ways or tricks to be able to overcome it and related to the swing technique is just one of the tricks, but I myself saw how technicians who tune the claw machine are very easy to use the swing technique, but they also tune how strong the claw grip is.
The grip of the claws will be strong when you have inserted more coins

Of course, what is sought is actually not a doll or other gift, but how to be able to conquer the claw machine and feel the sensation.
Some claw machines also give great prizes such as iPhones and other gadgets.

Yes, I consider this as a gambling game but not the typical one. For the fact that you use your money to play it, and you are playing for the purpose of what it will give you in return, then you are taking a risk for something which is gambling. This is the kind that little children can even participate in as well, and as a matter of fact, they are doing it. This may just be when they and their parents visit such a mall with such a facility, they may go there, put their coin and try their luck. It is so joyful to these children if they win something in this arrangement, which is why I can term it as light gambling with a possible little attachment. It's a way to have extra fun at malls aside from shopping.

While playing this kind of light game, do not create much importance to it than for the fun for the moment. And as for me, I see the chance here to be 50/50. You are just trying your luck, but in a light way, nothing is to be taken seriously here. It is not a place where you can hit that Jackpot.

It's practical my friend, no skills will help you win more, you only have to rely on luck. Just like casinos, the system of this machine has been structured in a certain way, it is only luck that will deliver the winning in this regard.

Rigged games are caused by the accessible data been leaked out for hackers. We should be on zero pay whenever the system is against our predictions and accuracy is shortened. Flushing money away is not our fault because we have no idea how the system operates and the laydown codes that's been inputed in data files of the system, thereby leading to be another form of insecurities. There ought to be existence of fairness in the system but when I doubt if they will be maintained.

Indeed, this game can be regulated in such way by the management and the working program can be changed at any time to make the game much more difficult to win and this game is like the Western Dream Arcade game machine where the drive that pushes the coins can be adjusted according to the manager wishes.
Everything is aimed at preventing gamblers from achieving big wins or jackpots and only luck can really influence whether they can win big or not.
It is important to remember that all machine games like this can be easily manipulated and we must be careful when playing them, unless we are playing for fun and entertainment.

What is clear is that luck will really be the main basis for achieving success and even though the strength of the grip has been adjusted, but luck is on our side, we will definitely get this prize.
Skills in machine games like this are just nonsense and if think have the skills to win prizes and keep paying then in the end will suffer big losses.

Interesting.

In that case I guess there must be some kind of standard or something that can be tested to make sure the machine is working at the correct level of randomness.

At least gambling machines have to pass certain standards criteria to have the license to operate.

Otherwise you could just have the grip always loose and never pay out the prizes.

I do not really see how claw machines could be classified as an arcade, in a regular arcade you put a coin in the machine and then you play for as long as your skill allows it, claw machines do not really follow this formula and are way closer to what you could see in a slot machine, so at least to me they are without a form of gambling and one that I do not find to be entertaining at all, while at the same time the prizes that you can get are often stuff that you would not even buy directly on your own.

Never! This cannot be considered gambling because certainly the factor that exists for you to win the prize is not skill: It is just the machine's profit.
As long as the machine has not received a pre-defined amount of bets, it will not release your prize even if you are super skilled.
Many ignorant people also talk about "strategies" to win, but this is a myth.

The only way to win money is to sit for a few hours near a machine and just watch other people playing... find out what the machine's pattern is (amount of bets before releasing the prize), count the moves and be ready to bet only when the next prize release is close.

Ok!? This is not a gambling game.

I disagree. If we analyze the claw machine game, there are similarities we can compare to consider it as gambling. Just like requiring an individual to prepare payment to play the game, chance to win the game as the outcome cannot be determine easily or using a skill, and of course, the chance to win the price.

In some other country, claw machine game is considered as illegal game, they even ban it as it is considered as gambling. It just that we are used to see it most of the time as one of the activities to give enjoyment to kids especially in malls, amusement parks, etc, but the fact that it has an element of gambling and can also be addictive for some, this should be considered as gambling.

But, it's an arcade game or at least that's how it has been in the legal terms which is why everyone is allowed to play using claw machines especially kids.

We can say the claw machine is rigged and all but still it needs skill to press down the button at the right second to get the rewards. Moreover it's not addictive that we correlated with the term gambling.

Yeah, I agree with this.

There is a legal distinction between games of just randomness and games of skill.

If you have randomness then it's basically a casino and you need a license, but if it is a skill based game, then it's just a form of entertainment, like a fair for example.

There is a legal distinction as you mentioned.

Why then loot boxes does not require license, when they all are about randomness?

At amusement parks I saw claw machines with candies where "each game is a win" rule was set. Even though it makes random almost zero, there is a timer and little kid is given 99 seconds to grab his prize. Not every kid is agile and in stress situation can get a candy in 99sec. Can this be considered as gambling? Does this require license? What about underaged gambling? :D

Its actually a game of luck, we cannot completely take that for gambling because it has many things that point at the way its been played not to be like that of gambling games, as you have pointed out, it is just for the people to all try their best and make use of the opportunity to se if they can win any physical material, money or items from them by playing or trying their luck.

Strangely you can compare these scams, as in both cases they are offering something they aren't programmed to offer. Same way in claw machines you can see the main price and know it's probably rigged, you can see the exchange / casino scam, when you see the part saying they don't require KYC.

Because every company that's handling money for their customers is a financial institution, and financial institutions are obligated by law to follow regulations, if they themselves want to keep on cashing out their profits.

Pure, no fiat-money crypto casinos have avoided these regulations in the past, because crypto wasn't regulated. But now when transactions are becoming taxable in majority of the 1st world, that changes.

Smaller casinos might flow under a radar, and not every casino is so strict about it, as KYCing everyone is a costly operation. But always expect a KYC, like you were (not) expecting spanish inquisition.

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/04/18/jra6I.png (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Df191WJ3o)

In addition to this, Even 3rd party game providers like slot games doesn’t disclose their source code for the games which is why there’s no way to verify the fairness of the game. They are considered as gambling not because fairness is available but rather people risk money in exchange for a chance to win.

Anything that involves risking money for a chance to gain is considered as gambling even though it’s probably fair or not. Actually, being rigged games is more gambling since it’s more hard or impossible to win on this game depending on the casino setup.

No one is saying winning is not possible :) I'd myself won on claw machines couple of times in the past. I was just saying "it's not a game of skill". Slots are also not a game of skill, but that doesn't mean you can't win on them. I won more than $200 several times staking only 20 cents, and some lucky people win millions.


Exactly. I personally don't think that the grip strength can be tweaked in real time, but I'm sure the thing is designed the way that the grip is very weak and can easily lose the prize at any moment.

Talking about fairness, it is something that is difficult to achieve in gambling and people will do anything to win. Both game providers and players have something in common because what they are looking for is victory, so verifying fairness is something that is difficult for us to achieve.
People who gamble don't look at the fairness factor, but as you said, they think that risking money in gambling can give them a chance to win. Despite the fact that gambling is more about luck and not every time we are in a favorable condition.

I had asked one of the puppet claw machine technicians I had met,
they said that the claw force would be strong enough when it reached the specified number of coins.

So it will be quite strong when many coins are inserted, but it will only happen in 1 chance.

Everything has been arranged in such a way that it is not easy to pinch a doll or other types of claw machines.

Absolutely 100% they are.  Just like most gambling the house is stacked against you, and they're cheating, but you do have the chance to win money, even bitcoin lol..like - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bIQmooFB9fg  and another lol https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SwgqQXZ2BtE

Even those coin push machines are considered a form of gambling, and you can even win bitcoin doing so with these lol ( though I don't condone the cheating)- https://youtu.be/Y-cGfaPUXNQ?si=AtVeW94A4CuwBGL8 and a few others https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5_sbDsreyM  , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xhBq0sbHOI

No different than playing bingo, or credit card roulette when out to eat for dinner with friends...if you're risking something with the potential to win more, break even or lose, it's all a gambling game.

This is what i do have in mind wayback if these things are really that rigged and since you have known someone as claw machine technician on which it did really proves out that
claw grip strength would really be that somewhat changes on the time that it would really be that getting that sufficient coin amount. Its impossible that they wont really be setting out that kind of threshold
because if there's no one would be able to get then it would really be surely considered to be a scam machine.  ;D

Is it considered gambling? For me it would really be that rather to be that an entertainment thing than on gambling. You do know that you are paying up something to get a reward like stuffed toys or other
items but of course there would really be a catch.

Absolutely correct mate, fairness in gambling isn't distributed uniformly. All casino and gambling always make the winning possibility minimal, so that they can make more profit while giving you the hope of making huge wins. One of the best advertising strategy use by gamble developers is the ability to make available huge wins that can be won using a small stack, but in real sense it would be very difficult to make that win, and that's why gamblers keep trying their lucks.The company behind the claw machine is smart for making a eye catching design, usually for more of the youths. However luck is just the basic explanation to the outcome, of any gambling game  and not skill.

If you do tend to look at on the recent previous post then this isnt really talking about luck with those claw machines but rather there are really that kind of fixing or being programmed that you would be able to get
if they would be getting sufficient amount into those coins that would be put up into the slot. Its business as we do all know on which this kind of program will really be that just normal. People would really be trying out their luck with these machines at the same time that they would really be having that thrill on the time that they would really be trying to get those stuffs on the machine.Its true that the primary target out of these machines are those young people who are really that believing that they could easily get those stuffs without any problems and this what makes money  with those operators.

I mean we are splitting hairs here.  Is playing arcade games for tickets where you can hand in for prizes gambling?  Probably not.  If you play a game and win a prize it's just that, a game.  I mean I guess if there is money in the claw machine possibly but I would consider that more a game in which you can win something if played correctly.  There is no real other player, or house.

I've played the claw machine before. To me, they're entertainment machines. It's not right to call them gambling machines. But for some people, these machines turn into addiction like gambling. Some people spend a lot of money on these machines. I don't want to call them gambling machines, but I know that for some people they are no different from gambling.

Also, I have a memory of these machines. One day I played one of these machines to win a little pink bear for my girlfriend. I didn't win, but my girlfriend played after me and she won. I don't know if these machines are for entertainment or gambling, but I lost both times.

I do not know, to me those machines are clearly a form of gambling even if the people behind them may argue against it, and my reasoning is very simple, if you use your money to buy a product and you have a 100% chance of getting your product or your money back in the case there was an issue with it, then that is a simple transaction, however if you use your money for the possibility of getting something, whether that something is a monetary reward or some other prize, then regardless of whether your skill matters or not, this is a form of gambling.

Would've categorized claw machines as gambling if only the machines weren't rigged or anything like that, and it just so happens that this is what's happening with claw machines, it doesn't give you the reward no matter how good you are because the claw has been rigged by the owner, it's not the same at how the casinos rig their games, they rig it based on mathematical principle and that the odds are always against you even in the natural state of things but in claw machines, the rigging is not natural, it's created by someone so you think that you can win something from it. Maybe that aspect of claw machine can be debated as the reason why it's considered gambling but I'm going to stand by it and say it's not.

The possibility of winning is deliberately created and in almost all forms of gambling we find something like that. But the problem lies in who will be lucky to get that big win and not everyone can achieve it.
We get caught up in the advertising they are trying to develop and most people experience the thought of chasing big wins with small stacks. The smart claw machine is designed as a game and I see that there are many companies that have developed it in areas that are generally visited by young people.
It's a place of fun and people will put in coins to play it and it will probably grow quite a bit in the next few years.

I think there are at least several different types of claw machines, and maybe that particular one in that particular place was designed like they told you, but I'm sure there are many others, much simpler than that. They are just designed to hold the prize(if they caught it) with pretty weak grip, weak enough to lose most of the prizes right away or along the road. It's all mechanical, no sophisticated programming involved.

Hahahhaha very very good question is Claw Machines: a category of gambling? Claw machine is everywhere and kid loves it, adult people loves it I mean who dont like this game hahahah and this is personal opinion but I would condider claw machine as mini gambling machine  ;D why because I heard that the owner of the claw machines can setup how much power the claw is and if you have weak claw meaning you need extra careful and focus to win the prize

Do you consider this a category of gambling game? Mini gambling machine yes hahahha but this is JuST IMo
What are the chances on long run? Skills matter, or do you have to be lucky, nevertheless? chances are good especially if you have skill a focus and yes luck are needed too

So you mean, It's real that some claw machine has been set up? that's why sometimes there's a low chance of winning because the claw didn't work well even if you already placed it correctly in your target item. If that's the case, They tricked their customer in order to play more and more until they get at least 1 item from that machine, It is considered as a type of mini gambling and just a normal game at the same time because it gives us an exciting and interesting game while spending A lot of money.

I think those machines must go through some kind of "certification" just like the gambling machines have to.

Otherwise they could simply not give you prizes, ever, which would be a scam I think.

One thing is to be difficult to win, other to be impossible.

Yeah you can set up the strength or adjust the claw machine if you the owner you can set the claw more tight or more loose when grab something and hahhaha ring a bell it is similiar with playing gatcha in games and I personally consider that as a gambling too hahaha.

Oh one more thing if you still curious about claw machine consider checking google this "can we setup the strength of claw machine" there are also videos tutorial in it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL0GO9SCHwU

It could be right because the owners doesn't wants to sees many people can wins from their machines so they will figures out how to prevents people to wins. If some people can wins, that means they have their luck as we knows that claw machine is based on the luck. If those people can't wins, they don't have their luck but they will try it in the other days. They used their customer greediness to play more which means they knows how to tempts their customer to spends more money to wins some prizes. Some people really gets tempts to keeps playing claw machine and not realizes that they already spent much money. That's why claw machine is one of the gambling games that offers fun to their customer because the customer can try over and over to wins the prizes.

I think it is pretty much a fact this is the case, if not then a skilled player could win most of the time by simply getting better at manipulating the claw, so the owners of those machines need to find a way to counter those players, and the way to do that is by manipulating the strength of the claw, this way it does not matter how much skilled a person may get when using the claw, as if the claw itself is not working properly, then they have no way to win no matter what they do.

In my opinion yes, it is considered to be gambling since you are risking your money in order to win, but the only thing is it's going to be a different reward, it's not going to double your money something like that instead your getting stuff toy or some reward. But more like a scam  ;D since I never actually win on a claw machine, I guess if you are a skilled claw machine player it might be a good bet but in my opinion, the chances of winning are very slim so might not be worth it because the quality of your reward wasn't really that great considering your paying a lot for such a cheap stuff toy.

But I guess the good thing here is most of the people that use the machine are just playing for fun because it is really something that you could be proud of with your friends or probably girlfriends if you win a prize then give it to them, it would make you look good as a skilled player  ;D so even though it was kind of a scam not winning, but the moment you win it was really worth it and fun at the same time.
 

Yeah South park already tell you the truth a claw machine has been a set up. the owner of claw machine did that I mean at the end of the day all of this is just for a profit and that it if you want to give some free stuff that fine you can make the claw even tighter and stronger maybe no skilled required for it.

Hahaha skilled player is everywhere and people who want to profit is also everywhere this is just business and people who play it sometimes just do it for fun and test their luck

Ohhh I see, that's why sometimes it's really hard to get some items in some claw machine especially here in our place, it's kinda difficult to get some items even if you have skills in doing it but when you come in japan, I've watched a lot of videos showing that some people are easily catch some stuffs because of tight set up of claw and if I'm able to visit that country, I won't miss to try their claw machines because for sure I will enjoy doing the catch there.

Yeah, I think you can still get lucky if for example one of the strings of the thing you want to grab get stuck in the claw or something like that.

But yes, the claw itself is pretty weak to be honest. I'm not sure if there is a way to get a better grip with it, maybe just moving it left and right quickly would make it entangled or something.

There are a lot of claw machines that you can find on Youtube there are so many of them that you use many methods, I don't consider it gambling it is more skill-based, with effort and practice you can go to the game zone and get as many dolls as you want just like this video here

Claw Machine Hack They Don't Want You To Know! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNpqCTg5ONk)



Only those newbies who try to use the claw using a hit-and-miss method when there are a lot of methods and something to look at when trying to claw a doll or a cash like this video here, and the one that tells the trick is just a kid.

Tips from a claw machine expert | The Straits Times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvZubS75lWQ)

Claw machines is definitely a gambling game, any games that you stake and has a chance to earn something is categorized as gambling.

Number one: You need to fly to the country where those people playing.

Number two: Make sure you gamble on the same machine.

Since most people didn't want to fly to other country just to "win" claw machines games, those technique can't be applied.

When it comes to this game, I always target the items with strings in it or something where the claw could insert his metals in it. I have played this a lot of times and I only got a single item. I don't consider it as being unlucky because the damn claws are really slippery. My kids on the other hand love playing this game so I let them play but only in prizes where there are rings in it. i.e. a ring of tickets or a ticket bracelet so that we can exchange it for other prizes at the counter.
Because I know for myself that even if I waste so much money on prizes where plushies are available, they won't be getting any and they will just end up getting frustrated when we go home. While if they are getting tickets, they will still be happy picking what prize they want in the prize booth. I don't see many people playing this game and I don't consider it as gambling, it's more like short-lived fun.

I have played these machines but I have not seen one that has dollars, and that would be very fantastic, I have played with the ones that have much smaller prizes such as stuffed animals, toys, things like that, like snacks, things that are simple, and not They are expensive, I think those types of games are in countries like the USA, Europe, but in Ecuador I have not seen that style, there are many shopping centers where there are video games, and those games are ideal for us to have control and a lot of patience Sometimes I win something there, but simple things come out, the money thing if I wanted to play it, in fact there are many players who are experts in that type of game.

Claw machines are often equated with gambling. However, in this case, the rewards are different from betting in general. Where you can't double your money, and instead, you can walk away with toys or small trinkets. Despite this, there are those who feel cheated by these machines, their level of difficulty ensures that even with only skilled players, the success rate remains low while the value of the prizes is rarely commensurate with the cost of the game.

But the positive aspect. There are many people who play claw machines just for fun. This is an activity that can be shared with friends or someone special. If you manage to win a prize, it can evoke feelings of pride and happiness, especially if you give it to someone you care about. Therefore, the moment of victory has its own value, it is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. So, Even though claw machines are similar to scams (due to the low chances of winning), many people still enjoy playing them, not only because of the prospect of winning the top prize but also because of the thrill of the gameplay itself.

I suppose that this is definitely a form of gambling considering the example of the cash in the machine- depending on how much money and time is spent there I would say it can surely lead to addictive gambling tendencies. If its just those little kiddie ones for plushies tho that cost a dollar I mean thats more of entertainment/gaming for children but in your example I think it can definitely be considered a niche category of gambling. Now I wonder if any of those types of machines are ever found in casinos?

I think it's both skill and luck. Because it will really take you skill to have a strategy to which part of the reward you are going to claw with in the machine. It's like going through that trial and repetition until you get that reward you are aiming for. It's also like  luck based because you need to be very lucky as to which machine are you going to play. Because some machine are rigged for you not to win. Some are too loose that the reward will slip on it while some are too stiff.

Yes, and it depends on how much current is going through the mechanism. And even if you have a strong claw, it doesn't matter how "extra careful" you are because the claw can drop the prize intentionally before reaching the prize box. Whether it's gambling or not? I'd call it a rigged gambling. It's when you know that the game is rigged and no matter how skillful or lucky you are it all depends on to what degree it was rigged before you started playing. There's a chance it was rigged to your favour, and then you are "lucky".