Hong Kong's Consumer Council is investigating claw machine operators following a 760% increase in complaints over three years. Issues include misleading displays, rigged settings, and poor-quality prizes, with one case involving empty decorative boxes being offered as prizes.
The significant rise in complaints highlights potential consumer exploitation and deceptive practices within Hong Kong's claw machine industry, prompting regulatory scrutiny and consumer advisories.
Complaints against Hong Kong claw machine operators have surged by over 760% in the last three years, according to the city's consumer watchdog. The Consumer Council reported that grievances escalated from 16 in 2023 to 49 in 2024, and then dramatically to 138 last year. These complaints stem from issues such as misleading prize displays, rigged machine settings, and the poor quality of prizes offered.
A specific case highlighted by the council involved a complainant who spent HK$200 (US$25.52) on a claw machine. The machine offered both miniature toy suitcases and boxes that appeared to contain similar items. After playing the HK$5-per-turn game 40 times, the complainant and two children managed to snag one of the boxes, only to discover it was empty. The complainant noted that the boxes were opaque and lacked any indication they were empty or merely decorative. When the operator was contacted, they refused to exchange the empty box for a toy, claiming it was solely for decoration.
The Consumer Council is urging consumers to stop playing claw machines and to contact staff immediately if they notice any abnormal machine settings.