I bought a claw machine — this is why you can never win
A young woman has shared her shocking findings proving exactly how claw machines are rigged against players.
TikToker Katie Clark, from Melbourne, was in disbelief when she found an instruction manual to her newly bought claw machine, detailing how to manipulate the machine.
In a video that has already racked up more than 75,000 views, she shows the way the claw machine’s strength can be altered.
“Gotta break some more hearts about claw machines because the claw as well confirmed rigged,” she said in the clip.
“There’s a little washer here on this model and if you have it installed, it will increase [the strength], remove it to lessen.”
The instruction manual explains how to modify the strength of the claw machine, increasing or decreasing the likelihood of winning a prize.
“We all knew, but when it’s documented, it’s printed – it’s more legit. Now it’s confirmed.”
Clark bought the machine several months ago as decor to place into her newly purchased home.
While fixing the machine, she stumbled upon the instruction manual which “exposed the claw machine industry.”
“You can change the rate of success,” she said in an initial video posted on TikTok in May.
The first video showed a different part from the instruction manual, explaining how the machine can alter the win rate.
Depending on the settings selected, the machine could make it nearly impossible to win a prize.
The machine would have to be played a certain amount of times, which is often cranked up to the max, before spitting out a prize.
“When I’m playing I’mma put this baby on one-on-one, but when my nephews and my family come over – they better watch out,” she said, joking she would change the settings depending on who played the machine, ensuring she always won at the claw machine, while her family lost.
Furious Aussies chimed into the video’s comment section to express their disappointment.
“Years and years ago we found a claw machine with unlimited plays in Melbourne, stayed there for a full hour playing and all we got was one plushie,” one person wrote.
“Took me 18 goes to win once,” said another.
“I wonder why they are allowed to basically scam people. It should be a random prize give out, not a flat out scam,” a third person commented.
Some instruction guides for the biggest claw games out there are publicly available, explaining how in more ways than one the machines are rigged, yet people continue to play.
“I worked at a arcade, smaller machines ‘paid out’ once they reached about 15 plays and bigger ones were 30/40 plays before you get a win,” a man commented.
A report has found the industry has experienced significant growth due to a rise in disposable income and increased leisure spending.
“We’re all still gonna play it,” Clark said, summarising her video as many other users echoed her comment, sharing their claw machine success stories.
“I always play them but I always win, so I love them too much,” a woman wrote with a laughing emoji.
