Balatro reclassified as PEGI 12 by ratings board after appeal by publisher

Balatro's PEGI Rating Downgraded from 18 to 12

Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has received a significant rating adjustment. Initially classified as PEGI 18, a rating comparable to Grand Theft Auto, the game has been reclassified as PEGI 12 following an appeal by its publisher to the PEGI ratings board. This decision corrects what many, including the developer Localthunk, considered an erroneous assessment.

The initial PEGI 18 rating sparked confusion and frustration due to Balatro's gameplay mechanics. The game's use of card purchasing with in-game currency, misinterpreted as gambling, was a key factor in the initial high rating. This is despite the fact that real money cannot be won or bet. The developer highlights the irony of this classification, especially considering the prevalence of in-app purchases in mobile games.

The misclassification also affected Balatro's availability on platforms like the Nintendo eShop, where it was briefly removed due to concerns about gambling content. This issue has now been rectified with the PEGI 12 rating. While the developer welcomes the correction, they express disappointment that such an oversight occurred in the first place.

The developer's appeal successfully addressed the concerns regarding the game's depiction of gambling-related imagery. The PEGI board's revised assessment reflects a more accurate portrayal of the game's content.

Interested in trying Balatro after this rating update? Check out our tier list of Jokers to help you strategize your gameplay.