Popular poker-inspired mobile game Balatro has had its Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating reduced from 18 to 12.
News of the change has escalated the long-standing debate surrounding gambling in video games, especially through the mechanisms of lucky dips and loot boxes, with critics considering these elements to be a form of gambling that can be integrated into games available to children.
Balatro incorporates elements of poker, however, players do not gamble real money. Additionally, players are able to purchase the aforementioned lucky dip style products in which they can get outfits, power-ups or other bonuses without knowing what exact item they’re going to receive.
Reflecting on the news during the latest episode of iGaming Daily, James Ross, SBC’s Multimedia Editor, said: “Gaming is constantly evolving and [gambling] features are just going to keep being implemented into games that are at the forefront of the mobile and video gaming industry.
“With PEGI’s rating changing [Balatro] down to 12, it clearly isn’t considered gambling by them either. But they’re going to try and produce more games that are like this and with that players need to be protected. If age ratings are going to be reduced for games, then they need to make sure that there’s some other form of protections in place.”
Loot boxes have long been surrounded by controversy due to their use in games such as EA Sports’ EA Sports FC series which are typically deemed suitable for young children to play.
Steve Hoare, Editor of the Player Protection Hub, joined the podcast to share some research on the impact of loot boxes conducted by Professor Mark Griffiths, Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University.
“It concluded fairly firmly that lootbox buying is associated with gambling disorder and internet gaming disorder,” explained Steve. “Also, lootbox buying is strongly associated with depression, anxiety, stress and impulsivity which are mental health symptoms.”
As a result, he concluded, there is a strong argument that given the presence of the lucky dip style products Balatro should have stayed as an 18-rated game.
