Claw Machines: The Cabinet, the Prizes and What to Check
Updated: Sep 20
A claw machine puts the prize in full view. You move the grabber into position, make your attempt and watch to see whether it carries anything to the chute. That simple idea leaves plenty of room for different cabinet sizes, controls and prize displays.
The contents can change without the machine itself changing. A photograph full of soft toys tells you what was stocked when it was taken, not what will be inside on your next visit. Read the price and instructions on the cabinet before playing.
The Gambling Commission’s published Category D table lists a £1 maximum stake and a £50 maximum non-cash prize for crane-grab machines. These are category limits, not a promise about the value of any particular toy.
The government consultation proposed increasing that prize limit to £75 while keeping the stake at £1. A proposal should not be presented as an existing rule.
If you are recording a grabber for an arcade guide, photograph the cabinet name and controls as well as the prizes. That makes the picture useful after the stock has changed.
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