Balatro is once again classified for ages 18 and over

Balatro has generated controversy after being rated 18+ on YouTube, a decision that its creator, LocalThunk, denounces as incorrect. The platform has restricted videos related to the game, claiming content linked to gambling, despite the fact that Balatro does not simulate or promote the use of real gambling.

A way to understand the game that has affected him before

According to the update of YouTube’s community guidelines, implemented on March 19, videos that feature “representations or promotions of online casino sites” have been restricted. However, Balatro’s content is based on risk/reward mechanics and a random number generator, common elements in many video games, and LocalThunk assures that their work does not condone gambling nor contains real betting.

The controversy is not new. Previously, the European Games Rating Board had imposed a high rating of 18+ on Balatro in the United Kingdom, which resulted in the temporary withdrawal of the game from several stores due to concerns about gambling. At that time, LocalThunk clearly stated that “I do not condemn the game nor do I believe that Balatro contains elements of gambling.”

The situation has led to a new level of frustration for LocalThunk, who commented on the ironic protection of children by restricting access to knowing the play of a four-card poker while allowing them to watch unboxing videos in games like Counter-Strike, which effectively allow transactions with real money.

In its response to YouTube’s restriction, LocalThunk points out that the appropriate distinction between Balatro and other titles involving gambling is not being considered. The situation highlights a challenge in the classification of video games, especially those that touch on themes related to chance but do not involve real gambling.

Balatro DOWNLOAD

Balatro is a deck-building card game that emerges as a rebellious fusion providing a fresh take on mechanics and reinvents the game of poker. At the core of this experience are illegal poker hands, an abundant variety of dynamic wildcards, and a wave of gameplay driven by combos that ensures each match feels distinct and equally exciting.