Rio de Janeiro takes tougher action against claw machines as illegal gambling

Rio de Janeiro is a city known for its beautiful festivals, beaches, street crime, corruption and powerful drug cartels. Recently, officials warned of a new threat: claw machines.

Police in the city executed 16 search warrants during the week of August 25, targeting the crane games. They said these machines are actually games of chance, similar to slot machines, and are therefore illegal under Brazilian law.

Officers seized not only claw machines, but also laptops, tablets, mobile phones, a firearm and even the stuffed animals inside the machines. This is not the first time Rio’s claw machines have come under scrutiny.

In May of this year, 80 machines were seized in a similar operation. Police discovered that the claws had been rigged to grab a toy only after a certain number of attempts, making it impossible to win.

Organized crime is suspected of being behind the operation, as criminal groups already control forms of gambling in the city. They are known to own illegal gambling machines and a local lottery known as the “animal game.”

In the US, claw machines are considered games of chance, although they are specifically exempt from gambling laws. Owners must adhere to certain regulations, which can vary from state to state.

As authorities in the Brazilian city continue their investigation into the machines, it becomes clear that even something as innocent as a claw machine can have a dark side.