RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro, a city already infamous for its issues with street crime, corrupt officials, dangerous militias, and armed drug dealers, has recently identified a new target for law enforcement: claw machines. These games, which allow players to control a mechanical claw to grab plush toys, have become increasingly popular among both children and adults in the city.
On Wednesday, police executed 16 search warrants aimed at these claw machines, claiming they deceive users who think skill is involved in winning stuffed animals. In truth, the police argue, these machines operate more like slot machines, making them illegal, according to their statement.
During the operation, officers confiscated various items including claw machines, laptops, cell phones, and even a firearm, along with a number of plush toys. They are currently investigating the possibility that organized crime groups are behind these machines, as they are already known to operate illegal slot machines and a popular lottery called the “Animal Game” in the city. In addition to the raids in Rio, police in Santa Catarina state conducted three more search warrants as part of the same initiative.
This operation marks the second major crackdown on claw machines this year. In May, police seized around 80 machines that were filled with fake plush toys. Investigations revealed that these machines were programmed to allow wins only after a set number of attempts, making it effectively a game of chance. Players are often unaware that the claw mechanisms are tampered with, which can lead to frustration, especially for children who might lose their pocket money trying to win prizes.
Claw machines are widespread in various public spaces across Rio, including shopping malls, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades, and toy stores. Alessandra Libonatti, 41, is one of the city’s claw machine enthusiasts. She has played for nearly 30 years, recalling their debut in the city when she first saw them in movies. Nowadays, she plays about once a week, often with friends who share her passion for claw games.
She enjoys the thrill of the game, stating that she’s developed techniques to improve her chances, such as assessing the layout of the stuffed animals and carefully maneuvering the claw. One of her prized possessions from a claw machine is a unique manatee plush with jaguar spots that she won during a trip to Brazil’s capital.
“Whenever I see a machine, I take a moment to see if there’s an enticing stuffed animal worth my money,” she explained to The Associated Press. “Sometimes, it’s just not worth it; it’s clear I’m better off saving my coins.”
Although claw machines used to be seen as games of skill, modern versions often have hidden programming that allows operators to manage their profit margins. Jeremy Hambly, a claw machine expert in Milwaukee, noted that such machines should visibly display success rates so players can make informed decisions about gameplay.
In the United States, many states categorize claw machines as games of chance, exempting them from gambling laws, provided they meet certain criteria. Arcade businesses generally benefit from allowing customers to win prizes, as success brings players back.
However, Libonatti has noticed a decline in the quality and performance of Rio’s claw machines, attributing it to changes made by operators. One of her texts sent to a friend shared her dissatisfaction: “The new machines are awful. The claws are so weak now.” Her friend responded sympathetically, corroborating her experience with recent attempts to win toys.
The local media has even labeled this problem as the “weak claw scam.” Recently, in a separate seizure that took place in May, nearly 13,000 plush toys were captured. Instead of being destroyed, these toys were donated to families affected by devastating floods in southern Rio Grande do Sul state, particularly benefiting children in shelters.
As for the stuffed animals taken during the Wednesday operation, details regarding their fate remain uncertain at this time.
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Associated Press writer Bruce Shipkowski contributed from Trenton, New Jersey.
