What appears to be a simple game to play where you test your luck in hopes of winning a prize has now been declared as haram in Indonesia.
Unfortunately for Indonesians, they will no longer be able to test their luck on claw machines filled with plushies and other items after the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared claw machines as haram in Islam.
According to the Head of Fatwa MUI Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, claw machines are in violation of Islamic teachings as one has to ‘try his luck’ in getting a prize.
He added that claw machines are a form of gambling as it is often rigged and doesn’t even guarantee that one would gain anything of in return for the money spent on it.
“The fatwa related to the matter has been included in the guidelines for media games or gaming machines managed by the Indonesian recreation agency,” he added.
Meanwhile,the Head of Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Anwar Abbas said that the game is categorised as gambling because the original value is not the same as the money the user spends to get the prize.
“It’s different when we make a purchase directly with the seller to get the items we want.”
“Through the machine, we have to exchange tokens according to the set value and may have to try several times to get the item, then there is an element of gambling that makes it illegal,” he explained.
In Malaysia, the question is now whether or not we would adapt a similar stance as the sentiment by Indonesia’s MUI was actuallypreviously echoed by the Perlis State Mufti Department, who issued a fatwa forbidding Muslims in the state to use claw machines.
What do you think of the decision?
Also read: Perlis Mufti Fatwa: Claw Machines Are A Form Of Gambling
FAQs
Meanwhile, the Head of Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Anwar Abbas said that the game is categorised as gambling because the original value is not the same as the money the user spends to get the prize. “It's different when we make a purchase directly with the seller to get the items we want.”
Is the claw machine haram? ›
According to the Fatwa series issued by the State Mufti's Office on December 18, 2023, the claw machine was categorised as haram as it is considered as gambling, the minister added.
Do claw machines count as gambling? ›
Claw machines are often rigged to modify the claw's strength on each turn, and are consequently considered gambling devices in some jurisdictions.
How rigged are claw machines? ›
“Some people think the claw machine is so hard to win because the stuffed animals are packed so tightly together,” writer Phil Edwards explained. “But the bigger reason is more insidious than that: the claw machine is programmed to have a strong grip only part of the time.”
Are claw machines banned in Brunei? ›
Brunei Darussalam has banned claw machines out of concern that they may be considered gambling, an activity that is illegal in the country.
Is it haram to get your toes done? ›
Pedicures and Manicures are halal, but they must have been done by a person having same-sex/gender as yours. A Man should do the Mani-Pedi of Men, and a Female should do the Mani-Pedi of Women, the opposite gender doing a Mani-Pedi is not allowed and is strictly prohibited in Islam.
Are claw machines illegal? ›
If, however, the player has paid to play and can win something other than additional plays, such as food, toys or other prizes, the machines does not qualify for the amusem*nt device exception and is an illegal gambling device.
How to beat a claw machine? ›
He explained that you need to centre the claw over the prize you're after, then hit the button to lower the claw. Now this is the important part, just as the claw attempts to grab your prize, you need to press the same claw button again to securely grab the toy. “If you don't press it again, you won't win,” he said.
Can arcades lead to gambling? ›
But many state gambling laws don't claim arcades to be gambling for a few reasons. In most cases, arcade games are games of skill, meaning you have some control over the outcome. Additionally, these games usually don't pay out money as a reward for winning.
Are claw machines addictive? ›
Nevertheless, in Taiwan, there are reports of two persons being addicted to claw machines resulting in debts and crime-related behaviors [10]. As the claw machines gain popularity among the younger generation, claw machine addiction can possibly become a worldwide issue in the future.
Basically, most crane games are designed so the claw is randomly (and only once in many games) strong enough to let players win. Some even weaken in strength after a short time so players get close to victory only to see it slip from their grasp!
What are the odds of winning a claw machine? ›
From a win ratio of 1:1 all the way to 1 win for every 50 tries, making it next to impossible for anyone to actually get a prize… unless they've got a lot of time and money to spend.
Is there a human claw machine? ›
Be the claw in a giant version of the classic arcade game. Guests will be lifted into the air on a crane-like device as they are dipped into a pit full of tempting prizes.
Is gacha machine haram? ›
It was established that the Islamic rulings on GACHA are that it is impermissible to be practised as it involves forbidden transactional elements.
Which instrument is not haram in Islam? ›
Zakir Naik, maintains musical instruments are haram except for two—the daf (a traditional one sided drum) and tambourine, which are also mentioned in Hadith.
Why is chess haram? ›
The gambling element of chess is appeared as an problem of major significance in Islamic theology. Gambling is prohibited from Allah (SWT) because it diverts human beings from the memory of Allah (SWT).
Is arcade game gambling? ›
"Game of skill" versus "game of chance"
Arcade games have generally struggled to avoid being labelled wholly as games of chance or luck, which would qualify them as gambling and require them to be strictly regulated in most government jurisdictions.
