One talented claw machine player is 41-year-old Alessandra Libonatti. She has been playing for almost three decades.
She still remembers when the machines first showed up in the city. They created a lot of buzz and excitement.
Nowadays, she usually plays once a week, either alone or at the mall with friends. Over the years, she has perfected her techniques.
“When I pass by a machine, I give it a look to see if there’s a stuffed animal that makes it worth it to play,” Libonatti said. “Because it’s not always worth it; sometimes, it’s clearly a waste of money.”
Her favorite prize she’s earned is a manatee with the spots of a jaguar. She won it during a trip with friends to the nation’s capital.
In the past, claw machines may have been feats of skill, but most modern machines are programmed in a way that lets operators predetermine how profitable they are.
In much of the United States, claw machines are considered games of chance and are exempt from gambling statutes.
Claw machine players in Rio, including Libonatti, have noticed that the claws have become weaker. The phenomenon has been dubbed “the weak claw scam” by a local media outlet.
Back in May, police confiscated almost 13,000 stuffed animals. Initially, the plushies were headed for destruction, but they ended up being donated to families who lost their homes due to flooding.
