PEGI to Create More Detailed Rating System for Gambling Themes Following Balatro’s 18 Rating Removal

Recently, the European game rating organization PEGI has changed the age rating for the card game Balatro and the slot machine-themed game Luck Be A Landlord from 18 years and older to 12 years and over. Initially, both games were rated 18 because PEGI believed they promoted gambling. However, after appeals from the publishers, PEGI has revised its decision.

Balatro’s European publisher, Sold Out, and Luck Be A Landlord’s publisher for the Switch, Fangamer, successfully argued that the games do not truly promote gambling. As a result, PEGI is also considering updating its classification guidelines to better differentiate between games that simply reference gambling themes and those that involve actual gambling. This new approach aims to clarify the differences between light-hearted games and those that mimic true gambling experiences, like slot machines found in casinos.

To give you some background, Balatro was removed from several online stores last year after its original 18+ rating. The publishers expressed that the rating stemmed from a misunderstanding by the rating board, which thought the game featured significant gambling content. The developer, Localthunk, stated on Reddit that while he believes the rating was unjust, it reflects a grey area in interpretation by PEGI. He was disappointed that other games with real gambling mechanics weren’t rated similarly.

Luck Be A Landlord faced its own problems when it was banned from Google Play in 13 different countries due to violating gambling policies. Earlier this year, Google threatened to remove the game worldwide unless the developers clearly stated that it contained gambling elements.

Both games have received criticism despite their comedic and non-gambling nature. For instance, Balatro uses poker cards and mechanics, but it doesn’t require players to bet real money. It’s primarily a deck-building game featuring whimsical Tarot cards and Joker modifiers. On the other hand, Luck Be A Landlord satirizes the slot machine format without involving any real money betting.

However, both games have similarities with traditional gambling elements, such as casino machines and random reward systems common in many video games. Some games utilize microtransactions and loot boxes that can lead to addiction without players spending a lot of money upfront.

In light of the recent appeals, PEGI has accepted the criticism of the initial 18+ rating. They concluded that although Balatro explains poker hands, it contains fantasy elements that justify a PEGI 12 rating. Similarly, they determined that even though Luck Be A Landlord features a slot machine mechanic, it lacks real gambling skills, allowing it to also be rated at PEGI 12.

PEGI plans to fine-tune its rating system to distinguish between games that depict gambling games and those that allow players to gamble for money. The organization aims to adapt regularly to changing cultural perceptions and expert advice, ensuring that ratings are applied consistently. They’ve acknowledged that any game that teaches or glorifies simulated gambling automatically gets a PEGI 18 rating. However, based on recent appeals, they will create more specific criteria for rating games with gambling themes based on age appropriateness, allowing for both 12 and 18 categories.

I’m relieved that Balatro and Luck Be A Landlord won’t be grouped with real gambling machines typically found in adult venues. Yet, there is concern that PEGI might too easily oblige companies that are eager to downplay gambling aspects in their games. Many worry that less honest publishers might try to exploit the system by adding non-gambling elements to make their games seem less risky to younger audiences. It’s intriguing to think about the new criteria once PEGI finalizes their plans.