Claw Machine Store Suspected of Gambling Operations|夾娃娃店改擲骰子換物 賭博罪移送

Changhua police have discovered a claw machine store that lets customers win prizes based on the roll of dice. But this type of play has gotten the owner arrested for gambling. This is not an isolated case. Authorities say 70 percent of claw machine stores don't have operating licenses. The government can't inspect every store so claw machines are often a source of illegal behavior. Police inspect this claw machine store in Changhua and find boxes containing dice in two of the machines. When a customer succeeds in grabbing the box and the four dice are all facing the same way, he can win a NT$1,900 stereo. There is a box in the claw machine. If the four dice in the box are all facing the same way, the customer gets a prize. This is a far cry from how claw machines are supposed to be used. The value of the prize is also an issue. Police say this constitutes gambling because customers can win a prize worth NT$1,900 for just NT$10. Chance is also involved. The owner has been arrested for violating gambling and arcade management regulations, but he says he is innocent. The Changhua County Department of Economic Affairs says the store is in violation of claw machine regulations. It also says it doesn't have the resources to properly manage the industry. Most of the stores are open 24 hours. Legal issues often arise at these stores. The owners of the stores can also manipulate the machines. So, we have to assess whether they are being used as normal claw machines, or electronic game machines. As of the end of last year, there were close to 400 claw machine stores in Changhua County. Just 30 percent of them have operating permits. Around five new stores pop up every month, and local officials are doing their best to keep up with inspections.