There are slot machine mechanics in tons of videogames that dont have 18+ ratings because they don't cost real money to play

Hell, the very first Pokemon games on the Gameboy 30 years ago had slot machines.

Should those have had 18+ ratings?

Surely not. That would be absurd.

You spent time writing this post with the hope of earning the "prize" of karma. That's a higher price and a bigger prize than anything in Balatro