YouTube has started age restricting Balatro videos for alleged gambling-related content, and creator LocalThunk is clearly getting sick of this sort of thing

YouTube Age Restricts Balatro Videos, Citing Gambling Depictions

The popular card game Balatro is facing unexpected challenges on YouTube as content creators report age restrictions on their videos. Balatro University, a YouTube channel dedicated to the game, recently released a video detailing their experience with videos being flagged and limited due to alleged gambling content. Balatro’s developer, LocalThunk, has voiced his frustration over the continued misrepresentation of his game.

YouTube’s Updated Terms of Service Impact Balatro Content

On March 19th, YouTube implemented a change to its Terms of Service (TOS), targeting “depictions or promotions of online casino sites or apps” for potential age restrictions. While seemingly aimed at clear violations, this policy update has inadvertently affected Balatro content creators, including Balatro U, who are now experiencing limitations on their video reach.

Age Restriction: A Setback for Video Visibility

For content creators, an age restriction can significantly hinder a video’s performance. It curtails the likelihood of the YouTube algorithm recommending the content to a wider audience. Many creators have previously encountered this issue, with videos deemed harmless being age-restricted seemingly without valid justification and with limited options for appeal. Notably, speedrunning historian Summoning Salt experienced this with a video about Mega Man.

Mischaracterization of Balatro Sparks Frustration

The core issue lies in the inaccurate categorization of Balatro. The game is not an “online casino site or app,” and labeling it as such demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding. Balatro‘s mechanics are no more reliant on chance than many other deck-building games. The controversy likely stems from Balatro‘s utilization of a standard 52-card deck and its casino-themed aesthetic, leading to a false positive within automated content moderation systems.

Prior PEGI Rating Dispute and YouTube’s Automated System

This situation echoes Balatro‘s prior conflict with the European ratings board PEGI, which initially assigned an 18+ rating before eventually reversing the decision in February. However, unlike PEGI’s review process, YouTube‘s largely automated and opaque system presents a less optimistic outlook for a swift resolution.

Creator Frustration and Appeal Process Criticized

Balatro University has criticized the inconsistent enforcement of the new YouTube guidelines, reporting that only a fraction of their videos received age restrictions. They also described the frustrating and convoluted process of appealing an age restriction, highlighting the near impossibility of communicating with a real person to obtain clear, personalized clarification.

LocalThunk Reacts to YouTube’s Actions

Balatro creator LocalThunk expressed his dismay on Bluesky, lamenting the recurring nature of these issues. He sarcastically remarked on the irony of protecting children from “a four of a kind” while allowing access to Counter-Strike case opening videos, referencing the skin economy associated with Counter-Strike, often seen as adjacent to gambling.

Broader Concerns Over Content Moderation

Concerns are mounting regarding increasingly stringent and poorly implemented content moderation practices online. Critics argue that these draconian approaches, often justified under the guise of child protection, pose a legitimate threat to the open and accessible internet. The rise of ID verification laws in some US states further exemplifies this trend towards stricter online controls.