Claw Machines: a category of gambling?

[summonerrk]

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.

[Baofeng]

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?

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.

[Zlantann]

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.

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.

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?

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..

[Crypt0Gore]

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.

[retreat]

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?

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.

[Jawhead999]

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

gambling
noun [ U ]

the activity of betting money, for example in a game or on a horse race:

the activity of risking money on the result of something, such as a game or horse race, hoping to make money:

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.

[Davidvictorson]

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
1. play games of chance for money;
2. take risky action in the hope of a desired result.

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.

Yes, a claw machine is considered a gambling device under California law.According to the Bureau of Gaming Control, an illegal gambling device has three features: It is a machine, apparatus, or device (coin operation is not required); Something of value is given to play the device; and The player has the opportunity to receive something of value by any element of hazard orchance (“something of value” is not limited to coins, bills, or tokens—it also includes free replays, additional playing time, redemption tickets, gift cards, game credits, or anything else with a value, monetary or otherwise.) (Penal Code, §§ 330a, 330b & 330.1.)
https://www.justanswer.com/criminal-law/o97zs-claw-machine-considered-gambling-device.html

[LogitechMouse]

Re: Claw Machines: a category of gambling?

A quick google search of "definition of gambling" will lead you to this one:

Gambling is the act of wagering or betting on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods. It requires three elements to be present: consideration (an amount wagered), risk (chance), and a prize.

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.

[Stepstowealth]

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.

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 UniversityGambling is taking part in any game or activity in which you risk money or a valuable object in order to win money.

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
1. play games of chance for money;
2. take risky action in the hope of a desired result.

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.

[angrybirdy]

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 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.

[Dave1]

^^ 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.

[SmartGold01]

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.

[alani123]

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.

[ralle14]

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?

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.

[betswift]

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?

 

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.

[yazher]

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.

[Yatsan]

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.

[passwordnow]

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.

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.

[Hirose UK]

~snip~

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.

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.

[goaldigger]

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?

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.