Hong Kong to Bring Pinball and Claw Machines Under Gambling Laws

(AsiaGameHub) –   The government of Hong Kong is set to bring pinball and claw machines under the jurisdiction of its gambling laws.

The Hong Kong Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has submitted a proposal to the Legislative Council, advocating for the implementation of a mandatory device licensing system. This would limit the number of arcades permitted to operate pinball and claw machines and require licensed venues to undergo regular supervisory checks.

If these establishments are required to comply with Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance, any arcade offering prize-based entertainment games may need to obtain similar permits.

Legislative Council member Kwok Fu-yung recently received numerous complaints from parents regarding pinball and claw machine centers. She noted that some businesses have opened near tutoring centers to attract young students, according to reports from China.com, a Chinese media outlet.

A Pinball Craze Sweeps Through Hong Kong, Prompting Regulatory Action

In 2022, the Hong Kong High Court ruled that ordinary claw machines do not qualify as “entertainment devices” under current law and therefore do not require special permits. However, despite increased scrutiny and enforcement across Asia on claw machine centers, Hong Kong has seen a surge in popularity of pinball machines, prompting regulatory intervention.

While many claw machine arcades across Hong Kong report low customer traffic, pinball arcades are increasingly appearing in shopping malls—particularly those located near schools. After school hours, these pinball centers are often filled with young patrons wearing school uniforms, according to the media outlet.

Many popular pinball machines in Hong Kong award points to players who successfully land balls in designated holes. These points can be redeemed for prizes such as figurines, game consoles, and even high-end mobile phones.

Tang Ka-piu, Chairman of the Legislative Council’s Committee on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, described the existing regulatory framework as overly “lenient.” He pointed out that current rules allow centers to bypass age verification and impose no restrictions on operating hours.

Wider Crackdown on Claw Machines Across Asia

Tang explained that the proposed measures aim to balance support for local businesses with public concerns about the machines’ potential impact.

The bureau emphasized its commitment to preventing what it calls “hidden gambling” and protecting young people from developing gambling addictions.

Last year, Thailand reclassified claw machines as “gambling equipment,” warning that unlicensed operators could face up to two years in prison.

Similarly, South Korea—which had nearly 6,000 unstaffed claw machine centers as of August last year—has seen the number of such establishments grow by over 15% in just two years. South Korean high school students have told media they view the machines as a form of gambling, with some admitting to losing more than $100 in just 30 minutes at unstaffed centers.