PEGI

PEGI has five age categories.

Rating	Description
	The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.[3]
	Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.[3]
	Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.[3]
	This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.[3]
	The 18 rating, which indicates content suitable only for adults, is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs, explicit sexual activity, and gambling should also fall into this age category.[3]
	In addition to age ratings, there is a special rating represented by an exclamation point labeled "Parental Guidance Recommended". These contents are available for all ages, but it is recommended that parents (mostly with children who are under the age of 18) supervise activities within the program.

In addition to the above ratings, PEGI also uses eight content descriptors:

Icon	Content descriptor	Active since	Explanation	Corresponding age ratings
	Bad Language	2003	The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing), PEGI 16 (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy) or PEGI 18 rating (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy).
	Discrimination	2003	The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes deemed likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating (and may infringe national criminal laws). As of 2024, only five titles have this descriptor; two expansions for Postal 2 – Share the Pain (2004) and Apocalypse Weekend (classified 2005) –, Original War (classified 2004), Patriots: A Nation Under Fire (2006) and SWAT: Target Liberty (2007).[4]
	Drugs	2003	The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, narcotics, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are rated either PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.
	Fear/Horror	2003	The Fear descriptor may appear on games with a PEGI 7 if they contain pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children. The Horror descriptor may appear on PEGI 12 or PEGI 16 games with horror sound effects or images, but not necessarily any violent content. Although PEGI's official website states that only games rated PEGI 7 may carry the Fear descriptor as of 2024,[3] it also lists three titles previously rated PEGI 12 – Road to India (classified 2007), Ultima VII Complete (classified 2013) and the hidden object game collection Grim Tales: Die Gray Familien-Saga (2017)[5]– as well as the PEGI 16 title ABE VR (2016)[6] as displaying the Fear descriptor instead of Horror.	Fear:   Horror:
	Gambling	2003	The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulations of gambling refer to games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls. Games with this sort of content could previously be classified at PEGI 12 or PEGI 16.[7] As of 2020, all new games with such content, whether or not real-life currency is directly involved, are rated PEGI 18, although older games retain their existing classifications.[3]	Former:
	Sex	2003	This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals, or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary.
	Violence	2003	The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7 this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.
	In-Game Purchases	2018[8]	The game presents players with the options to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. These purchases include but are not limited to bonus levels, skins, surprise items, music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades (e.g. to disable ads).[9] This descriptor may be accompanied by an additional notice that the game includes random items such as loot boxes.[3]

Icon	Content descriptor	Years active	Explanation	Corresponding age ratings
	Online	2003–2015	May contain online interactions. This descriptor was discontinued by PEGI in 2015, due to the majority of present-day games and all consoles allowing for online interactions. Still appears for games classified before July 2015.

In Portugal, the PEGI 3 and 7 categories were originally aligned with the age ratings of the film classification system – 4 & 6, respectively – to avoid confusion.^[10] Finland also used a modified scale, where the PEGI 12 and 16 categories became 11 and 15, respectively.^[11] Finland fully adopted PEGI on 1 January 2007, while Portugal fully adopted it on 14 January 2021, and the standard ratings were fully enforced as well in both countries at the respective dates.^{[12] [13]}

Portugal	Finland
2003–2021	2003–2007

To obtain the ratings for any piece of interactive software, the applicant submits the game with other supporting materials and completes a content declaration,^[14] all of which is evaluated by an independent administrator called the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM). It is based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system as well.^[15] Following the evaluation the applicant will receive a license to use the rating logos. If the applicant disagrees with the rating, they can ask for an explanation or make a complaint to the complaints board. Consumers may also make complaints to this board.

Although PEGI was established by an industry body (ISFE) the ratings are given by a body independent of the industry and the whole system is overseen by a number of different Boards and Committees. There is the PEGI Council, composed mainly by national representatives for PEGI, that recommends adjustments to the code in light of social, legal and technological developments. Members of the PEGI Council are recruited for their skill and experience from among parent/consumer body representatives, child psychologists, media specialists, civil servants, academics and legal advisers versed in the protection of minors in Europe.^[16]

There is also a Complaints Board with experts from various European countries. They deal with complaints related to breaches of requirements of the code of conduct or to age rating recommendations. Should a complaint be received from a consumer or publisher regarding a rating given to a game and no satisfactory settlement can be reached by the PEGI administrator through discussion, explanation or negotiation the complainant may formally request the Complaints Board to mediate. Three board members will then convene, hear the complaint and decide on a ruling. Publishers using the PEGI system are bound by the decision of the Complaints Board. Consequently, they are obliged to carry out any corrective actions required and, in cases of non-compliance, are subject to sanctions as laid out by the code.

In 2013, PEGI co-founded the International Age Rating Coalition with USK and the ESRB. IARC aims to streamline the rating of digitally distributed games and apps by providing a single online system that produces age ratings for all participating regions. By filling out one questionnaire, a publisher instantaneously receives ratings from PEGI, USK, ESRB, ACB and others.^[17][18]

In 2007, the PEGI Online division of PEGI was formed as an addition to the PEGI system for online games. Goals include giving young people in Europe improved protection against unsuitable online gaming content and educating parents on how to ensure safe online play.^[19] This project is supported directly by the European Commission:

PEGI On-line, which was launched in June 2007 and co-funded by the Safer Internet Programme, is the logical development of the PEGI system, designed to better protect young people against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents to understand the risks and potential for harm within this environment.^[20]

PEGI Online is based on four principles:

• The PEGI Online Safety Code and Framework Contract which is signed by all participants
• The PEGI Online Logo which will be displayed by holders of a licence
• The website for applicants and for the general public
• An independent administration, advice, and dispute settlement process

The licence to display the PEGI Online Logo is granted by the PEGI Online Administrator to any online gameplay service provider that meets the requirements set out in the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC).^[21]

PEGI is the standard age rating system for video games in 40 European countries alongside Israel,^[22] but products with PEGI labels can be found across the globe alongside other rating systems as a result of import for linguistic reasons (e.g.: English versions in India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Spanish or Portuguese versions in Latin America). The official status of PEGI ratings varies from country to country, depending on the way national legislation deals with age classification and the protection of minors. In some countries, PEGI is the de facto standard without specific regulation, other countries have officially acknowledged PEGI as the sole system for age ratings, while yet another number of countries have incorporated the PEGI rating system into laws governing the age classification of media, making the labels enforceable in retail.

Country	Status	Local system
Austria	Officially supports PEGI. Although there is no specific legislative basis at the federal level, PEGI is legally adopted and enforceable in the federal state of Vienna.[23] Other states do not prescribe a specific labelling system, with the exception of Salzburg, where USK labels are mandatory. Represented in the PEGI Council.
Belgium	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Bulgaria	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Cyprus	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis. Northern Cyprus however does not officially support PEGI, but uses it. Nor does it have a legislative basis, even though it is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, some laws like those do not apply there. PEGI labels are used as most are imported from Turkey and the rest of the EU.[citation needed]
Czech Republic	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Denmark	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Estonia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Finland	In Finland, games with PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code. Represented in the PEGI Council.[citation needed]	KAVI
France	France has adopted legislation making classification of video games with age labels mandatory.[24][25] Represented in the PEGI Council.
Greece	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Iceland	PEGI is officially supported and age classifications are mandatory for video games by law.[26]
Ireland	PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification by IFCO, which adopts PEGI. IFCO is still legally empowered to ban certain video game content from the market. Represented in the PEGI Council.[citation needed]
Israel	PEGI has been adopted by law as the mandatory classification system for video games in Israel since 2007.[27]
Italy	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Latvia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Lithuania	Lithuanian legislation has adopted PEGI which is exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code as of November 2010.[28]
Luxembourg	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Malta	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in Malta since January 2016.[citation needed]
Netherlands	PEGI is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce age classification in shops where video games are sold.[29][30]
Norway	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Poland	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Portugal	PEGI has officially been adopted by the Portuguese Classification Board IGAC.[13] Represented in the PEGI Council.	IGAC
Romania	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Slovenia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Spain	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
Sweden	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.[citation needed]
United Kingdom	Officially supports PEGI (PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in the UK since 30 July 2012[31][32]). Represented in the PEGI Council.	BBFC

Country	Status	Local system
Albania	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Croatia	Does not officially support PEGI, but PEGI labels are shown on digital stores and localized physical releases since the 2010s. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Germany	The USK system is adopted and enforced.[33] PEGI is not formally recognised, although PEGI labelling can be found on games along with the USK rating. Not represented on the PEGI Council.[citation needed]	USK
Hungary	Does not officially support PEGI, but PEGI labels are shown on digital stores and localized physical releases since the 2000s. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Kosovo	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Moldova	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Montenegro	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
North Macedonia	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Russia	RARS system adopted in 2012. All games, including imported, must have the RARS rating present.[34] PEGI labels were originally used prior to 2012, but were never officially recognised.	RARS
Serbia	Uses PEGI labels, but support from governing body is unknown.
Slovakia	JSO system adopted. Imported games (mostly with PEGI or USK rating) meant for selling in Slovak stores must have at least sticker with specific JSO rating on plastic foil of game keep-case.[citation needed]	JSO
Switzerland	Switzerland is preparing national legislation to make classification of video games with age labels legally binding.[35]
Turkey	Uses PEGI labels in almost all foreign & Turkish published video games inside the country, and so do the publishers, but does not have an official legislative basis regarding PEGI, and is not represented in the PEGI council.[36][37][38]
Ukraine	Does not officially use PEGI labels, but many video games published for sale in the country can be seen labeled with PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis regarding it.[39]

Games containing minigames resembling casino games and gambling may be subject to heightened ratings due to "12" being the minimum for the "Gambling" descriptor. A 2016 re-release of Pokémon Red and Blue for Nintendo 3DS received a "12" rating (despite receiving the "E" rating from the U.S.-based ESRB) due to its "Game Corner" feature, which includes slot machines that can be played with in-game cash to earn coins redeemable for items. The European release of Pokémon Platinum (2009) was modified to remove the slot machines and replace them with non-interactive "game machines".^[40][41] As of 2020, PEGI's policies regarding content that resemble casino games and gambling have gotten stricter, with new games featuring the "Simulated Gambling" content descriptor automatically receiving an "18" rating from that point forward.^[42]

In 2019, the basketball video game NBA 2K20 received criticism for a trailer, focused on its "MyTeam" mode, which depicted chance-based minigames styled after casino games such as roulette, slots and pachinko. The visuals were considered to be sensitive due to increasing controversy over use of "loot box" mechanics in video games.^[43] After receiving an e-mail expressing concern over the trailer, PEGI clarified in response that the "Gambling" descriptor applies only to games that "teach" and "encourage" gambling, although admitting that the trailer's imagery may have been "too close for comfort" for some viewers, and that PEGI did not base its ratings decisions on singular trailers.^[44][45]

Balatro, a roguelike deck-building game, had its PEGI rating changed from 3+ to 18+ shortly after its February 2024 release due to perceived gambling imagery, and was pulled from some online stores.^[46] Playstack, the game's publisher, argued that while the game was based on poker and features poker hands, it does not feature or encourage gambling.^[46][47] Balatro was restored to the Nintendo eShop in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on 8 March with the higher 18+ rating.^[48] In a Reddit AMA, Balatro developer Localthunk criticised PEGI for re-rating the game after its release, writing "I still believe that the rating is unwarranted, but there is some gray area for interpretation from PEGI and at this point it is what it is. I think the one thing I am most disappointed by is the fact that other games with actual gambling mechanics aren't rated the same way because of their appearance/theme."^[49]

• Australian Classification Board (ACB)
• Brazilian advisory rating system
• Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)
• Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
• Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC)
• Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK)

• Official website
• ISFE website