[Q 695] Claw Machine Gambling Ruling

Question

What is ruling of playing claw machines ?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

Playing the claw machines, which are conventionally found at arcades and funfairs, is impermissible, haram, and a major sin. This is because playing the claw machine is a form of gambling. An individual puts in (for instance) £1, and there is a chance he wins a toy or electronic item worth more than £1 (thus a chance of him winning and the claw machine company losing). However, there is also a chance he loses, thereby losing his £1, while the claw machine company wins the £1. This falls under the textbook definition of gambling in the Shariah, namely: “The linking of the right to ownership with chance in such a way where there is a possibility that one party wins and the second party loses out.” Gambling is haram and a major sin in our Shariah. Whoever has taken part in playing the claw machine has committed a major sin; he must repent to Allah the Most High and make a firm intention never to do this again.

Note: There are some free-to-play virtual claw machines where one is not required to pay to play, nor is there any concept of winning prizes. Although the player of these virtual simulators will not be indulging in the major sin of gambling if he were to play them, nevertheless, it is still highly discouraged to play such simulations, as they serve no purpose, and the time of a Muslim should not be wasted in such fruitless activities.

Allah the Most High states in the Qur’an:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَیۡسِرُ وَ الۡاَنۡصَابُ وَ الۡازلامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّیۡطٰنِ فَاجْتَنِبُوۡہُ لَعَلَّکُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

“O believers! Wine, and gambling, and idols, and fortune-telling arrows (to ascertain luck or predict future events) are but impure; the works of the Devil. Therefore, keep avoiding them in order that you may attain success.”

(Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:90)

The commentary of this verse has been mentioned in Sirat al-Jinan:
“In this blessed verse, four things have been declared to be from the filthy and impure works of Satan, and we have been commanded to avoid them. These four things are: Intoxicants (alcohol), Gambling, Idols, Divining arrows (azlām – arrows used for seeking omens or making decisions by chance).”

(Sirat al-Jinan, vol. 3, p. 20, Publisher Maktaba Tul Madinah, Karachi)

Regarding the definition of gambling, it is stated in Rad al-Muhtar, Bahr al-Raaiq, Tabyin al-Haqaaiq, and Muheet al-Burhani (wording from the last book):

“القمار مشتق من القمر الذي يزداد وينقص، سمي القمار قماراً؛ لأن كل واحد من المقامرين ممن يجوز أن يذهب ماله إلى صاحبه، ويستفيد مال صاحبه، فيزداد مال كل واحد منهما مرة وينتقص أخرى، فإذا كان المال مشروطاً من الجانبين كان قماراً، والقمار حرام، ولأن فيه تعليق تمليك المال بالخطر، وإنه لا يجوز.”

(Muhit al-Burhani, vol. 5, p. 323, Beirut)

Imam Sarakhsi states in Kitab al-Mabsoot:

“هَذَا تَعْلِيقُ اسْتِحْقَاقِ الْمَالِ بِالْخَطَرِ وَهُوَ قِمَارٌ، وَالْقِمَارُ حَرَامٌ فِي شَرِيعَتِنَا”

(Kitab al-Mabsoot, vol. 12, p. 18, Beirut)

Imam Zahbi in his book al-Kabaair lists gambling among the major sins:

“الكبيرة الثالثة السبعون وهي القمار”

(Kitab al-Kabaair, p. 248, Publisher Beirut)

Answered by: Aqib Madani (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 19th July 2026