Hong Kong politics
Hong Kong proposes licensing with fee and prize caps for claw machines to curb addiction
Raportoinut AI AI:n luoma kuva
Hong Kong authorities have proposed a licensing regime for claw and pinball machines, capping play fees at HK$5 and prizes at HK$300, to tackle rising addiction cases among teenagers. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau's measures, submitted to the Legislative Council's home affairs panel, include addiction warnings and address proliferation following a 2022 court ruling; lawmakers support the plan while urging industry balance.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to expand a government after-school care scheme to benefit more children from low-income families, following positive feedback from participants. Social workers and educators have welcomed the initiative, calling for wider coverage and school subsidies.