So you want to add a claw machine to your event, venue, or marketing campaign? There's something about a claw machine that pulls people in. The tension, the near-misses, the thrill of the grab. But before you start planning around a 200kg arcade cabinet, have you considered a more modern alternative? An online claw machine!
Online claw machines are real, physical claw machines that can be controlled over the internet. Claw Catcher is a new online platform that lets businesses use this technology for engaging marketing campaigns. No lorry delivery, no deposit, simply book your dates and we’ll assign a real machine, ready for your customers to play over the internet!
If you already know you want one, you can build and price a campaign now - pick your dates, set your rewards and see the cost as you go. Otherwise, read on for how it compares to traditional hire.
How Traditional Arcade Claw Machine Hire Works (and Its Limitations)
Traditional arcade claw machine hire and rental companies operate much like any equipment hire business. You pay a fee, they deliver a physical machine and for a set number of days it sits in your venue. The model works well in some contexts, but it comes with real friction:
- Delivery and collection logistics - heavy, bulky machines need specialist transport.
- Space requirements - a full-size cabinet takes up significant floor space.
- Fixed location - your audience has to physically be there to play.
- Stock management - someone needs to be on-site to monitor and refill the machine.
- Costs stack up - even short hire periods can be surprisingly expensive.
- Equipment failure - Technical faults can occur at any time. With online claw machines, we can instantly switch your campaign to an equivalent machine, minimising any disruption.
For a one-off event or a short promotional campaign, traditional hire is often overkill for what you actually need.
What Is an Online Claw Machine?
An online claw machine is exactly what it sounds like: a real, physical claw machine that your customers control remotely through a web browser. Using a live video feed and simple on-screen controls, they can move the claw, time their drop and try to grab a ball, just like standing in front of the machine in person.
We've built what we believe is the first all-in-one solution for businesses to offer a truly memorable claw machine experience to their customers.
Setting up a campaign is simple. Choose your schedule and ball colours, upload your logo, set your branding colours and select a reward type, such as a discount code or a thank-you message. Your campaign play link goes live on your chosen date, fully configured and ready to share.
How It Works for Your Customers
Playing a Claw Catcher campaign couldn't be simpler:
- Enter an email address - customers enter their email to claim their session. No app download, no account needed.
- A few chances to catch - each player gets three plays by default to grab a ball using the live claw machine controls in their browser, and you can change that when you build your campaign.
- Claim a reward - Depending on how you’ve set up the campaign, a coupon code appears on their reward screen. You can configure it so that even if their final try doesn’t land, a code still appears, or so that they miss out if they don’t catch anything. The choice is yours.
That's it. The whole experience takes minutes and leaves a lasting impression!
A Few Ways You Can Use Claw Catcher in Your Business
- iPad station - set up an iPad at your event or shop floor with your Claw Catcher campaign running full-screen. Customers walk up and play directly in the browser.
- QR code poster - print a poster and place it anywhere: at the till, on a restaurant table, in a hotel lobby, or at a trade stand. Customers scan and are playing within seconds.
- Email or social - include your play link in an email campaign or social post to drive engagement before, during, or after an event.
- Loyalty reward - share the play link exclusively with customers who reach a spending threshold or join a specific mailing list.
However you choose to use it, people love the thrill of playing a real claw machine virtually. It genuinely leaves a lasting impression.
How Are Rewards Given?
We're continuing to develop new reward types - if you have ideas, we'd love to hear from you. For our initial launch, you can offer players either a custom thank-you message or a discount code of your choosing. That code can be used however you like:
- Give the customer an exclusive discount on their next purchase.
- Let them redeem something for free in your shop or venue. You might even be able to drive foot fall to your shop so they can redeem that code.
Each player gets three plays per session by default, which you can adjust while building your campaign. You decide whether players are rewarded even without a catch, or only when they land one - it's completely up to you and how you want to run your campaign.
"But Does It Actually Feel Like a Real Claw Machine?"
Yes! Claw Catcher uses real physical machines with a live camera feed, meaning the tension, the near-misses and the genuine catches are all real. There's no simulation. Your customers are genuinely controlling a claw, in real time. You can see exactly what your customers would get when you set up a campaign.
That authenticity is what makes it such a powerful engagement tool. It's not a video game or a digital scratch card. The game requires real skill! It's a real experience that people can share, screenshot and talk about.
Our machines are located in our facility, running 24/7 and ready for your customers to take control.
Getting Started with Claw Catcher
The campaign builder is live now. You can set your dates, colours and rewards, see the price as you build, and publish when you're ready: rent a claw machine online.
Want to feel it first? Play one of our machines yourself with free plays every day, no payment details needed.
If you're planning an event, promotion, or campaign and want something that genuinely stands out - an online claw machine might be exactly what you're looking for.
