Rio de Janeiro — already notorious for street muggings, corrupt politicians, ruthless militias, and Kalashnikov-toting drug traffickers — has a new public enemy: plushies. Specifically, the joystick-controlled claw machines that dispense them.
Rio police executed 16 search warrants targeting these machines, claiming they defraud users by presenting a game of skill when, in reality, they are games of chance, akin to slot machines, and therefore illegal. The police seized claw machines, electronic devices, a firearm, and stuffed animals, suspecting organized crime involvement due to their existing control over slot machines and a popular lottery in the city.
This crackdown is the second of its kind, following a previous operation in May where 80 machines were confiscated. Investigations revealed that winning pulls were only allowed after a set number of attempts, with the claw being electrically manipulated to secure the prize. Users, including children, were unaware of this programming, leading to potential exploitation.
Claw machines are prevalent in Rio's shopping malls, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades, and toy stores. Despite the controversy, some, like Alessandra Libonatti, enjoy the thrill of playing. She considers herself a skilled player, carefully selecting machines and honing techniques to increase her chances of success.
While claw machines were once considered games of skill, modern machines are programmed for profitability, often without users' knowledge. In the U.S., most states exempt claw machines from gambling laws, provided they adhere to specific regulations.
Recent changes to the machines have left Rio's claw enthusiasts disappointed, with complaints of weaker claws affecting their ability to win. This has led to local media dubbing the issue the 'weak claw scam.'
In a heartwarming turn, the nearly 13,000 stuffed animals seized in May were donated to families affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul state. The fate of the plushies seized in the recent operation remains uncertain.
