The operation of claw and pinball machines could be regulated by capping fees and prize values as a first step to curb addiction to automated games, lawmakers have said, while also warning of “deceptive” designs that make winning impossible.

While calling for a balance between user protection and industry development, two legislators said the caps could follow the existing Gambling Ordinance, under which premises with an Amusements with Prizes Licence cannot charge more than HK$5 per game and prizes must not exceed HK$300.

Bill Tang Ka-piu, chairman of the Home Affairs, Culture and Sports Panel, said incorporating the devices into the licensing system would provide greater clarity for the public.

“Unregulated machines may give the impression of illegal gambling, and taking part in such activities could carry legal consequences,” Tang said.

“By clearly drawing these lines, we can monitor social trends and assess whether further amendments to the licensing terms are needed.”

Tang noted there were about 2,000 outlets across the city featuring such gaming devices, in addition to individual machines placed in restaurants and mid-range shopping malls that use commercial space to host unstaffed claw machines.