Rio police crack down on illegal claw machines

Rio de Janeiro, already infamous for its street crimes, corrupt officials, and armed gangs, faces a new adversary: joystick-controlled claw machines.

On Wednesday, Rio police executed 16 search warrants targeting these machines, popular among both children and adults. Police stated they mislead users into believing they require skill, whereas they are games of chance, akin to slot machines, and thus illegal.

Officers confiscated claw machines, electronics, a firearm, and stuffed toys. They are probing whether organised crime groups, known to control slot machines and the “Animal Game” lottery, are behind the operations.

In Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, police conducted three more search warrants on the same day as part of the operation. This marks the second crackdown, following an earlier one in May where 80 machines were seized. Those machines contained counterfeit plush toys, and their programming allowed wins only after a set number of attempts.

The machines use an electrical current to strengthen the claw’s grip sporadically, which is not disclosed to users, including children who might spend their pocket money. They are found in shopping centres, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades, and toy stores across Rio.

Alessandra Libonatti, a 41-year-old enthusiast, has been playing these machines for nearly 30 years. She recalls their initial buzz when they first appeared in Rio, having seen them only in films before. Now, she plays weekly, either alone or with friends. She enjoys the thrill and considers herself skilled, using strategies to increase her chances of winning. She values a manatee with jaguar spots she won in the capital city.

Libonatti expressed caution, noting sometimes the machines aren’t worth the money. Jeremy Hambly, a claw game expert from Milwaukee, mentioned that modern machines often have programmed odds, which should be clearly posted.

In the U.S., most states classify these machines games of chance but exempt them from gambling laws if they follow specific regulations. Industry experts say arcades benefit when customers win, encouraging them to return.

However, Libonatti noted that recent changes have made winning harder, terming the current machines “crap” with weaker claws. This phenomenon, known locally as the “weak claw scam,” has been widely reported.

In May, police seized nearly 13,000 stuffed animals destined for destruction, but a judge redirected them to families affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul state. The fate of the toys seized on Wednesday remains undecided.