Earlier this year, Balatro received an 18+ rating from PEGI, the organization responsible for game ratings in Europe. Developer LocalThunk has expressed frustration regarding the rating, humorously tweeting that they might try to include “real gambling” to bring the score down to around a+, similar to the recently released EA Sports FC 25.
In PEGI’s explanation for the rating, the board highlights the use of real-life poker hands in Balatro, noting that this aspect could potentially lead players to use its mechanics for actual gambling. Despite poker being integral to Balatro’s roguelite gameplay, PEGI argues that its prominent gambling imagery justifies the strict Adults Only rating. This classification isn’t unprecedented; earlier in the year, it led to Balatro being removed from various console storefronts after its previous 3+ rating was changed overnight without any prior notice.
LocalThunk has not stayed silent on the issue, referencing a game that several European nations have previously identified as containing gambling elements. EA Sports FC 25 features similar microtransactions and loot-box mechanics that have been part of the series since the announcement of Last Team, yet it retains a 3+ “suitable for all ages” rating. LocalThunk points to this as a double standard, even joking that Balatro would need to incorporate similar mechanics to achieve a lower rating.
Since PEGI awarded us an 18+ rating for having inappropriate playing cards, perhaps I should include microtransactions/loot boxes/real gambling to bring that rating down to around a+, similar to EA Sports FC.
— localthunk (@LocalThunk) December 15, 2024
LocalThunk continued to assert that the situation wasn’t new.