Balatro Content Creators Hit By YouTube Age Restrictions
The YouTube channel Balatro University, known for its content featuring the game Balatro, has released a video detailing its experience with the platform’s age restriction policies.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the channel, several of its videos have been flagged due to the supposed inclusion of gambling elements. The classification has been heavily criticized, including by Balatro’s developer LocalThunk, who has expressed his frustration over the ongoing misrepresentation of his game.
The issue stems from a March 19 update to YouTube’s terms of service, which now allows for age-restricting videos that include “depictions or promotions of online casino sites or apps.” While the update is aimed at curbing content tied to real-money gambling platforms, creators covering Balatro say they’ve been unfairly targeted under YouTube’s new strict guidelines.
Significant Harm to Video’s Visibility
Age restrictions on YouTube have a real impact on a video’s visibility by limiting how often it appears in recommendations, which makes them a serious concern for content creators. The platform has long struggled with inconsistent enforcement, often flagging content that appears entirely harmless. Popular speedrunning documentarian Summoning Salt previously faced a similar issue when a video about ‘Mega Man' was age-restricted without clear justification.
The main point of contention is that Balatro isn’t an online casino or gambling app. While the game features poker-style mechanics and uses a standard 52-card deck, it does not involve real money or gambling. Critics argue that the game is being lumped into the gambling category simply due to its visual and thematic resemblance to casino games, a mistake likely caused by automated moderation tools.
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Not the First Problem for Balatro
This isn’t the first time Balatro has had problems with classification. The game initially received an 18+ rating from the European board PEGI, which reversed its decision in February. However, creators fear that YouTube’s algorithm-driven systems may not be as flexible or responsive to appeals.
Balatro University spoke of the inconsistency of the platform’s moderation, noting that only one out of every six of their videos had been flagged, which raises questions about how the rules are being applied. The channel also published its attempts to appeal the restrictions, which revealed an opaque process with no clear communication or ability to speak with an actual person.
Developer LocalThunk has also voiced his irritation on Bluesky:
Good thing we are protecting children from knowing what a four of a kind is and letting them watch CS case opening videos instead.
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