PEGI Reclassifies Balatro as Suitable for Under 18s

The age rating for Balatro in Europe has been adjusted, with PEGI announcing a change from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12. This decision came after the game’s publisher raised concerns.

Originally, Balatro, which is renowned in the gaming community for its roguelike deck-building experience, had to bear the burden of an adult-only label in Europe. Developed by the enigmatic Canadian team LocalThunk, the game released in February 2024 and quickly gained global acclaim. However, its European reach was initially hindered due to PEGI’s classification, which stemmed from the game’s poker-inspired mechanics. The concern was that such elements might encourage real-world gambling habits. Throughout this period, LocalThunk openly mocked the adult rating on various social media platforms.

Balatro’s journey through the rating system has now reached a turning point, culminating on February 24 when PEGI reassessed and lowered its rating to PEGI 12. The official complaint from Sold Out Sales & Marketing, the publisher responsible for Balatro in Europe, spurred this re-evaluation. Their argument highlighted that despite the poker education aspect, the game was rich with imaginative elements that justified a more lenient age rating. The PEGI Complaints Board agreed, leading to the revised classification.

In light of this, PEGI has recognized this case as a catalyst to refine its rating methodology. It plans to introduce a broader range of classification criteria to differentiate between games that actively promote gambling and those that simply incorporate elements related to it. “The PEGI system is designed to evolve alongside cultural expectations and insights from independent experts,” the organization noted, emphasizing that the changes prompted by Balatro’s reconsideration will align with its long-standing tradition.

Another game that saw its rating adjusted during the same session is Luck Be a Landlord. This deck-building roguelike, initially rated PEGI 18 due to its slot machine mechanics, had been perceived as a critique of capitalism rather than an endorsement of gambling. Following a challenge by its publisher Fangamer, it too received a downgrade to PEGI 12.

While PEGI hasn’t specified when it will finalize these new classification criteria, the team behind Balatro, LocalThunk, views the move as a positive step. They hope it introduces more fairness into the system, preventing developers from being “unfairly penalized” for creative choices.