In a recent development, PEGI made an interesting decision about the game, which has raised some eyebrows. The board determined that while this roguelike deck-building game does provide explanations for various poker hands, its inclusion of fantasy elements justified a PEGI 12 rating, as per their latest statement.
After launching in February 2024, Balatro quickly found itself amid controversy. PEGI initially adjusted its classification from a child-friendly 3+ to an adult-only 18+, citing “prominent gambling imagery.” This decision led to temporary sales bans in several countries. In response, Playstack, the game’s publisher, vowed to work through the matter with PEGI. Meanwhile, the game’s developers, LocalThunk, took a more outspoken approach, branding the decision as comedic and highlighting the inconsistency with the EA Sports FC series, which maintains a 3+ rating despite featuring loot boxes—a form of gambling.
Another game in the saga, Luck Be a Landlord, which revolves around a slot machine theme, saw its rating revised today following an appeal by publisher Fangamer. As things move forward, PEGI has committed to a more detailed approach in their classification criteria. Their goal is to refine how they handle gambling-related themes and the glamorization of gambling across different age groups.
LocalThunk shared their thoughts on Bluesky, saying, “This move by PEGI is a positive one. It brings a much-needed range to their rating system that previously seemed all or nothing at 18+. We’re hopeful this will enable developers to craft their games without facing disproportionate penalties.”
