Riot Games is expanding its sponsorship model to include sports betting partners for top-tier League of Legends Esports and VALORANT Champions Tour teams in the Americas and EMEA, while introducing measures designed to uphold competitive integrity and protect fans. The announcement has drawn largely negative reactions from segments of the community, who worry that wagering tie-ins risk overshadowing gameplay and alienating younger viewers. Critics point out that gambling mechanics and advertisements have been rapidly encroaching on sports culture in recent years, blurring the line between leisure and risk.

Following feedback from professional squads seeking new revenue avenues, Riot conducted extensive analysis before deciding to open the sports betting category. Despite recognizing that wagering already surrounds its competitions, the publisher had previously maintained a blanket restriction on betting sponsors. By lifting that ban, Riot aims to channel partnerships into regulated markets rather than leave teams dependent on unlicensed bookmakers.

In 2024, global turnover on League of Legends and VCT events reached $10.7 billion, according to Sportradar, with an estimated 70 percent of bets placed through unregulated operators. Riot’s new framework requires all prospective betting sponsors to undergo rigorous vetting by the publisher and to rely on official competition data supplied by GRID. This data partnership, launched in 2023, is intended to curb black-market activity and ensure accurate, consistent information for both fans and wagering platforms.

Additionally, Riot will mandate that sponsored teams implement internal integrity programs aligned with the publisher’s standards. Such programs must encompass policy development, monitoring, and educational initiatives to safeguard player welfare, maintain fair play, and promote responsible betting. Teams will also have discretion over how sports betting content appears on their own channels, while Riot-owned broadcasts and social media will remain free of wagering promotions.

A portion of revenue generated through the sports betting program will be reinvested into Riot’s second-tier competitive ecosystem. Funds will bolster prize pools, create new tournaments, enhance integrity systems, and expand training for aspiring professionals and tournament organizers. By carefully structuring these partnerships, Riot seeks to guide the esports betting landscape rather than cede control to unregulated markets. The publisher emphasizes that it will continue to refine its approach over time to ensure the long-term health of its global esports ecosystem.