Balatro removed from several digital stores due to ‘mistaken’ ratings change

Popular Poker-based roguelike Balatro has been removed from several digital storefronts in an apparent ratings mix-up.

The game, which has been frequently occupying Steam‘s top ten most popular games since its release last month, was removed from several storefronts due to the game’s rating suddenly jumping from 3+ to 18+.

A statement on the publisher Playstack’s X page reads: “We are aware that Balatro has been temporarily removed from sale on a number of digital stores in some countries on console platforms, meaning that some new customers will be unable to buy it.”

It continues: “This is not an issue with the stores themselves, however a reaction to an overnight change to Balatro’s age rating from 3+ to 18+ by a ratings board without any advance warning, due to a mistake belief that the game ‘contains prominent gambling imagery and material that instructs about gambling’.

“Balatro does not allow or encourage gambling – and we fundamentally believe the ratings decision is unfounded. Balatro was developed by someone who is staunchly anti-gambling, and painstaking care has been taken to ensure that the game does not feature gambling mechanics of any kind.”

Perhaps most notably, the publisher claims that concerns about the game being highly rated due to potential gambling imagery were raised with ratings boards, who assured the publisher that this would not be an issue.

“We are especially disappointed the actions of the ratings board as we specifically addressed this topic with them in October, and were given a 3+ rating after it had initially been rated 18+.

“During that specific appeal, the ratings board assured us “we have reviewed your product and determined that the disclosure of gambling themes was unwarranted”. The game content has not changed since the age rating was amended to a 3+.”

Balatro remains available on PC platforms.