The SPCA is looking into crayfish-catching machines which have been popping up in bars around Auckland.

The machines are modeled on the arcade games which use a metal claw to grab soft toys. Winners of the $3 game can either have the animal killed and cooked by the establishment, or take the live cray home in a plastic bag.

SPCA spokesman Bob Kerridge says an investigation into whether the animals suffer in the games is nearly complete.

A Facebook group campaigning against the games is organising a rally which will take place in Auckland's CBD tomorrow outside a bar which has one of the machines.