It’s a painfully common experience for some a fairgoer: Just as the desired plushie makes its way towards the hose of a claw machine, the spear slackens, letting go of the award.
Hong Kongers have lost their persistence with these all-too-common devices, and the state’s consumer watchdog is currently considering requirements for the sector.
The Consumer Council has seen a rise in complaints about claw machines, which it claims” capitalize on consumers ‘ enthusiasm for testing their luck.”
Among them was a man who spent HK$ 500 ($ 64.4, £50.7 ) over 45 minutes to win a waffle maker but was instead offered “nothing more than a few trinkets”.
Forty-two problems were filed in the first 11 weeks of this year, up from 16 in 2023 and seven in 2022, the Consumer Council said on Monday.
” The industry frequently modifies finger options or introduces obstacles inside spear machines to make winning more difficult… The government said in a statement on Monday that extreme complexity or cruel settings may cause customers.
” We believe it’s about time to examine whether we should manage spear system companies”, said Gilly Wong Fung-han, the mayor’s chief executive, said information.
However, Jayden Chen, the owner of a Singaporean finger machine hire business, claims to be a “part of the fun,” according to the BBC.
” The people then feel the excitement and excitement, and may keep going. Who may try for a second or third time if they are winning most of the time?
” Regulations likely kill off the enjoyment component,” Mr Chen said.
Claw system providers in Hong Kong do not need a license to open a business there.
The guy who had bided for the waffle maker had used a spear machine that had advertised “instant prizes” and had believed that customers should have the freedom to choose their reward.
A person, who played another spear system, complained that each time she was about to move her desired toys towards the hose, the spear had taper, letting go of the toy.
The game had a” guaranteed get “mechanism for people who had spent at least HK$ 100 without winning; only in their next attempt had the finger keep its hold until the doll is taken out. The girl lamented that this was a” unscrupulous industry practice”.
Reports have documented that spear machines may be programmed to have a solid grip only partially of the time or to just cut a prize after a specific number of tries.
A third claimant wanted to convert his HK$ 100 expenses into HK$ 5 coins inside a spear machine arcade, which was yet another example provided by the committee. After inserting the act, however, he received just one HK$ 5 gold. His ask for a payment was denied, and he was alternatively” compensated” with an equal value in perform rounds.
The person protested, calling this a case of” required consumption”, but the operator upheld its determination not to issue a money payment, saying the gold trade” incurred operating costs such as banks fees”.
Consumers were advised to” spend rationally and be mindful of addiction,” but the council did not provide more details on how it would regulate the industry.
Consumers should check whether the total amount spent is worth the purchase price, the statement read.
Additionally, it advised consumers to record their gameplay so they can have some proof on hand in case of any disputes.
It added that some claw machines are thought to have engaged in gambling, and that it urged gamblers to be cautious.