Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pretty sure you’ve all seen these vending machines on the streets of Singapore.
After all, you’ll be tempted to try your luck once.
Spend $10 and select a mystery box. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a big prize. It could be an iPhone, an Xbox, a PlayStation console or other awesome goodies.
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With such attractive prizes and better odds than Toto, no wonder everybody wants to try their luck at these amazing machines.
Unfortunately, these lucky vending machines are going to disappear from the streets of Singapore soon.
Giant S’pore Forced To Remove Mystery Box Vending MachinesÂ
On 16 Aug, it was reported that Giant Singapore broke the law. Although it’s not necessarily intentional.
Giant placed mystery boxes vending machines at their IMM and Tampines outlets.
But they had to remove them because the police had notified them that such machines are against the law.
According to the police, these machines are “a form of public lottery”. And it’s illegal to operate without a license from the Government.
A spokesperson from Giant said that the machines are operated by a third party and they have arranged to have them removed from their premises.
Okay…But How about existing Mystery Box Vending Machines?
Here’s the interesting part.
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Despite the fact that these vending machines have been around for years.
And the fact that many have won big prizes from these vending machines.
The police clarified that these vending machines are actually illegal.
As in if you’re the person operating these machines, you’re breaking the law.
“As this is a form of public lottery, it is an offence under Section 5(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act,” it said.
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Here’s the kicker: if you’re the person using these machines, you’re breaking the law under Section 8 of the Common Gaming Houses Act.
That’s why we mosaic away the faces of the winners above.
They advised that businesses operating these machines should stop immediately. If they don’t, the police will be forced to take action.
They added that people found guilty will be fined up to a maximum of $200,000 and jailed for up to 5 years.
Takara Box Suddenly Suspend Operations
Takara Box is one of the major players when it comes to mystery boxes vending machines.
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And on 15 Aug, they suddenly announced on Facebook that they’re temporarily stopping operations.
And assured fans that they’ll be coming back with a brand new concept.
AsiaMalls which operated a few malls with Takara Box machines said that they’re working with the operator to ensure that these machines are “in compliance with the law”.
While a criminal lawyer thinks that licenses should be provided to monitor these machines in Singapore, it’s unlikely that the police will ever issue permits for these machines as they’re breaking the law.
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