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GamesRadar
GamesRadar
Technology
Jordan Gerblick

Roguelike hit Balatro accused of pushing gambling, removed from stores as publisher asks fans to "stop calling this game 'crack cocaine' before the FDA comes after us too"

FDA Balatro LocalThunk Playstack
Balatro.

Balatro, the hot new roguelike card game of the moment, has been pulled from several digital storefronts after its age rating was changed due to perceived gambling concerns. In response, publisher Playstack Games says the ratings decision is "unfounded" and vows to fight back against Balatro's removal. 

After poking around online myself, the self-styled "definitive poker roguelike" is still available on all major platforms in North America, but it has been tagged with a 10+ ESRB rating and a disclosure for "Gambling Themes." Notably, the UK Xbox and PlayStation stores have it listed with a PEGI 18 rating and a disclosure for "Prominent Gambling Imagery." The Nintendo UK store, however, seems to have removed the game entirely for the time being.

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