Youtube age restricts Balatro videos to protect children

Balatro, one of the most popular card games, is now under pressure from the video platform YouTube as they restrict children below 18 years from watching the videos.  Balatro University, one of the Balatro-focused channels, is sick of YouTube restricting their videos about the game. They recently shared a video describing YouTube restricting their video, citing reasons like gambling. They feel the platform is misrepresenting their channel and the game with gambling, and it is frustrating the makers. 

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YouTube age restricts Balatro

On March 19, YouTube implemented a new regulation for the creators, saying “depictions or promotions of online casino sites or apps” will now be age-restricted. Balatro and their focused channels are now facing the wrath as their videos are no longer presentable to the desired audiences. 

Age restriction is more or less like a death sentence to creators and channels that invest hugely in creating videos and content for their followers. The YouTube algorithm will limit the user engagement on their channels, cutting the revenue in half. There is also very little help from the platform regarding the queries and appeals related to age restriction issues, as most of them are quashed out. 

But Balatro says they are not an online casino app or site. The makers say they use a standard 52-card deck, and they are not a threat to children. Previously, Balatro had the same issue with the European ratings board PEGI before they appealed and got cleared in February. 

Balatro University criticised YouTube for their implementation of age restrictions to their content. Only a sixth of their video is age-restricted, and they are waiting for answers from the platform at some point. The creator Local Thunk said, “Good thing we are protecting children from knowing what a four of a kind is and letting them watch CS case opening videos instead.” Many games like Counter Strike and BGMI sell game skins to children at a very high cost, and most of them end up buying them with their parents' money.

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