Report: Claw game machines are rigged

Did you hear about another child who got stuck inside a claw machine this past week?  There may be a reason kids get so frustrated with these popular games at fairs, or at the entrances to stores.

That's because some claim it's really gambling for children.

Game of Skill...or Chance?

Ah, the claw machine. Once again, it's in the news after yet another child somehow climbed in and got stuck. 

Sure, this is not World War III, a Presidential election, or an Iranian terrorist plot.  I KNOW it's not really "news."

But a new report in Slate Magazine raises questions about whether its really a game of skill at all.  It claims most claw machines are programmed like casino slot machines, to pay out only on occasion.

The report says many machines are set so that the claw can grab a toy only on the tenth try.

Most times, the machine is programmed so that either the claw won't go down far enough, or it wont grab hard enough. What that means, according to the report, is that no matter how skilled you are, you can't win on most attempts.

Slate's report suggests you watch others use the claw before you attempt it, to get an idea of your chances.

And it says when going for a stuffed animal, aim for the chest, never the head where the claw easily slips off.

UPDATE 1/10/12: 

A Cincinnati area distributor of claw games and other arcade games emailed us to say this is NOT the case in CIncinnati/Northern Kentucky area stores.

The vendor says while this can be common at traveling fairs, claw machines are set up in local stores to allow everyone an equal chance.

Of course, it all may be a case of don't waste your money.

To read the full Slate report, go to http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/02/australian_boy_noah_jeffrey_climbs_inside_of_a_carnival_claw_game_how_do_you_win_those_things_anyway_.html

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Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.

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