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Rio de Janeiro’s War on Claw Machines: A New Take on Games of Chance
Rio de Janeiro, a city long plagued by street crime and systemic corruption, has recently set its sights on an unexpected foe: claw machines. These joystick-operated devices, usually a source of amusement for children and adults alike, are now under scrutiny as the police deem them unlawful forms of gaming.
On August 28, 2024, Rio’s police force executed 16 search warrants targeting these plush-dispensing machines. Authorities argue that claw machines falsely present a test of skill, masking their true nature as games of chance similar to slot machines. Consequently, they are classified as illegal under current law, according to a statement from the police press office.
In this latest operation, officers confiscated several claw machines, alongside laptops, tablets, smartphones, firearms, and a significant number of stuffed animals. Investigators are probing potential connections to organized crime, as the same groups are known to operate illegal slot machines and a popular lottery called “Animal Game” in Rio. Additional raids occurred in Santa Catarina state, reflecting a broader crackdown on these games.
This operation marks the second significant enforcement action against claw machines this year. Earlier in May, police seized 80 machines found to dispense counterfeit plush toys. Analysis of the machines indicated that winning attempts were artificially limited, with software designed to make picks successful only after a predetermined number of tries. This tactic reportedly involved altering the claw’s strength through electrical programming, preventing children and unsuspecting players from understanding the odds against them.
With machines prevalent in shopping malls, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades, and toy stores, they have become a fixture in Rio’s entertainment landscape. Yet, the ongoing police scrutiny has cast a shadow over this popular pastime.
Among avid claw players is 41-year-old Alessandra Libonatti, who has enjoyed the thrill of these machines for nearly 30 years. She recalls the excitement surrounding their introduction to the city, noting how they sparked curiosity akin to what she had seen in films. Libonatti plays about once a week, often accompanied by friends who share her hobby. She prides herself on her clawmaster skills, strategically navigating the machines to maximize her odds of winning.
“When I see a machine, I check for stuffed animals worth playing for,” Libonatti remarked, acknowledging that not every attempt is a wise investment. “Sometimes it’s clearly a waste of money.”
Experts in the field, such as Jeremy Hambly, a claw machine enthusiast from Milwaukee, emphasize the programming changes that have altered the mechanics of these devices over time. Hambly advocates for transparency, suggesting that clear odds should be posted on machines to inform users of their chances of winning. In the United States, many states classify claw machines as games of chance but allow them to operate under specific regulations designed to protect consumers.
Libonatti has expressed her frustration with the current state of claw machines, noting their decline in reliability and fun. She has observed that modern machines have significantly weaker claws, a fact that resonates with fellow players. In a recent conversation captured in a text message, she lamented the machines’ deteriorating performance, dubbing the situation the “weak claw scam.”
After a previous raid, nearly 13,000 confiscated plush toys were initially slated for destruction. However, a subsequent decision from a judge allowed these toys to be donated to children affected by severe flooding in southern Brazil, specifically benefiting families in shelters. The fate of the stuffed animals taken in the recent crackdown remains to be seen.
As Rio grapples with this new wave of enforcement against claw machines, residents are left to ponder the broader implications for their leisure activities in a city already rife with uncertainty.
Source
phys.org