Nobody understands gambling, especially in video games
Ratings boards and app stores are inconsistently classifying video games with gambling-related aesthetics as gambling content, raising questions about how the industry defines and labels gambling mechanics.
Strategic deck-builders Luck Be A Landlord and Balatro have both received high age ratings from app stores and ratings boards due to their association with gambling—despite being one-time purchases with no microtransactions or actual gambling mechanics. The games’ only connection to gambling is visual: Luck Be A Landlord uses slot machine imagery, while Balatro features poker hand mechanics.
The inconsistency becomes apparent when comparing these titles to loot boxes and gacha games, which feature exploitative mechanics with real-money spending and randomized rewards, yet often escape similar scrutiny from ratings boards.
The disparity highlights confusion within the gaming industry and regulatory bodies about what constitutes gambling in video games. As gambling mechanics become increasingly prevalent in gaming culture and monetization strategies, the lack of clear definitions and consistent enforcement raises concerns about how the industry communicates risks to consumers and protects players.