SINGAPORE: When it comes to finger equipment, most of us have walked aside empty-handed more days than we’ve won.  ,
A recent surge in formal complaints in Hong Kong may enable the state’s customer guardian to take action as finger system arcades have become almost ubiquitous.  ,
According to Hong Kong’s Consumer Council officers, issues have more than doubled in the past year compared to only 16 for the entire time 2023. The Consumer Council reported that it received 42 from January to November this season.  ,
” These games rely purely on luck and use valuable prizes such as game consoles, mobile phones and even cash to attract consumers”, said Gilly Wong Fung-han, the council’s chief executive in a statement on Monday ( Dec 16 ).
” We believe it’s about time to examine whether we should manage spear system companies”, she added.  ,
Claw equipment companies are not subject to the Hong Kong Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance, which means that owners and suppliers do not need a license to open a business.
Most problems have been made against devices that make it difficult to pick up things, according to Wong.
Additionally, there were prizes that didn’t properly fall away, as well as a lack of assistance from entrance staff or operators who were fixing technical issues.  ,
The government said that” the business frequently modifies finger options or introduces obstacles inside spear machines to make winning more difficult.”  ,
Modifications or obstacles should also be “reasonable”, it added, and conditions of play should be” clearly mentioned” to provide a “positive consumer experience, as extreme difficulty or unjust adjustments could aggravate users”.  ,
” Fair and clear guidelines” for winning awards should also be displayed, it said.  ,
Additionally, the government provided information on situations filed by citizens who fell victim to spear machines.  ,
In one case, a man spent HK$ 500 ( S$ 85 ) trying to win a waffle maker from an “instant prize” claw machine- guaranteeing immediate rewards to players.  ,
He refused the medal and instead accepted only a few items after playing for nearly an hour. He contacted the technician, who offered him a dessert pond system instead. Despite extensive debate, there was no deal, and he lodged a formal complaint.  ,
The machine’s terms and conditions for the prize set were likewise absent.  ,
” As for, he believed that consumers should have the right to select their reward”, the council said.  ,