YouTube imposes age restrictions on Balatro's content, linking it to gambling.
That reflects a quite serious lack of understanding of what 'Balatro' really is.
YouTube's algorithm is improperly placing age restrictions on Balatro videos, as has recently been reported. This issue was highlighted by Balatro University, a YouTube channel with nearly 90,000 subscribers. Following an update to the terms of service on March 19, YouTube began penalizing videos that include "representations or promotions of online casino sites or apps" by imposing age restrictions. While this measure makes sense in general terms, it is somewhat excessive in the case of Balatro, which is essentially an arcade game that loosely relates to the rules and aesthetics of poker. It is important to note that there is no possibility of winning or losing real money in Balatro.
Age restrictions pose a significant challenge for content creators on YouTube, as they make it harder for videos to appear in users’ algorithmic feeds. This becomes a considerable problem for those who rely on monetizing their channels, so it would be ideal if such restrictions were never applied to content that doesn't deserve it, as seems to be the case with Balatro. The game's creator, LocalThunk, even commented on this on Bluesky, criticizing YouTube for restricting videos of his game while allowing children to freely watch loot box opening videos in Counter-Strike.
Balatro has been recognized as one of the top 10 games of 2024 and is priced at $15, available on any device that supports video games. It is warned that if you decide to try it, you might get hooked for a good while.