New law could require displaying odds, licensee info on claw machines: minister

Alice Mak says higher prize value and payouts will be considered, but priority of proposed new regime is to protect customers, prevent addiction

Hong Kong authorities will consider requiring operators to display the odds of winning on claw machines, while remaining open to increasing the prize value and maximum payout per game under a proposed regulatory regime, the home affairs minister has said.

“The most important thing is to protect players and consumers, ensure they play in a safe environment, and prevent addiction. These are our priorities,” Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen told a radio programme on Saturday.

The government proposed earlier this month to tighten the oversight of claw machines, pinball machines and other prize-based amusement games by issuing individual licences for each device.

The legal changes would remove the mandatory requirement to hold a Places of Public Entertainment Licence when applying for an Amusements with Prizes Licence. The High Court ruled in 2022 that claw machines were exempt from the first licensing requirement, meaning they could not be regulated by the latter permit if the rules were not changed.

Mak said that under the new regime, all claw machines must display their licences, the licensees’ contact details, as well as anti-addiction slogans.

She added that authorities would consult the industry and consider requiring operators to state the odds of winning on machines to better protect consumers.