ISSUE

"THE RULING OF PLAYING CLAW MACHINE"

EVALUATION

Claw machine is a type of arcade game where one uses a claw to try to get the prizes from inside the machine, paying certain amount as a bet (al-Maisir). This is because there is a bet involving money which if successful will gain the item in the machine and if unsuccessful will lose the money. Specifically and practically, this game has elements of gambling that is prohibited in Islam. Allah SWT state:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”

Surah al-Maidah (90)

Any type of games that depends on luck without any use of one’s intelligence such as games of dice, and cards (that involves betting) and others is prohibited. The reason is, it will make one grow accustomed of depending on one’s luck in anything that he does. They will then believe and depend on luck for anything in this life. This games negatively affects humans. (See: al-Fiqh al-Manhaji, 8/146) 

As a conclusion, we are inclined to say that claw machine games are prohibited. The reason is the game directly denies and neglects the rights of the player to choose the prize he wanted based on the price that he paid. Furthermore, this game based on one's luck which is prohibited in Islam.

RESOLUTION