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

Balatro's PEGI rating revised to 12 after initial PEGI 18 classification sparks controversy.

The roguelike deckbuilder, Balatro, initially received a PEGI 18 rating, placing it alongside mature titles like Grand Theft Auto. This surprised many, including the developer, Localthunk. However, following an appeal by the publisher, the PEGI board has revised the rating to PEGI 12.

This isn't Balatro's first brush with regulatory issues; it was briefly removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns about gambling content, despite the game not involving real money transactions. The PEGI 18 rating stemmed from the game's depiction of gambling-related imagery, a decision deemed overly strict by many.

The incorrect rating also affected mobile platforms, highlighting inconsistencies in content moderation across different app stores. While the PEGI 12 reclassification is welcomed, the initial misjudgment raises questions about the rating process.

The developer attributes the initial PEGI 18 rating to the game's use of gambling-themed visuals, despite the lack of real-money gambling. This highlights a potential disconnect between the game's mechanics and its visual representation.

The corrected rating is a positive development for Balatro, but the experience underscores the challenges developers face in navigating varying content rating systems. If you're interested in trying Balatro, consider checking out our tier list of Jokers to strategize your gameplay.