Riot Games opens betting sponsorships for LoL and VALORANT Tier 1 teams in Americas, EMEA

In a major effort to build a more sustainable ecosystem for professional esports, Riot Games has officially opened the door to betting sponsorships for tier one League of Legends and VALORANT teams in the Americas and EMEA regions.

The company’s latest endeavor will allow teams to enter partnerships with regulated sports betting companies, given they follow a strict set of guidelines and rules to preserve the integrity of the scene, protect fans, while also giving teams the opportunity for growth and long-term success.

Why allow sports betting now?

In the announcement post, Riot acknowledged that sports betting sponsorships have been a hot topic in the industry for many years, with multiple teams calling for a renewed stance. According to Riot, betting around LoL Esports and VCT reached a staggering $10.7 billion in 2024, but 70 percent of that activity took place in unregulated markets with bookmakers who weren’t licensed.

“We know sports betting isn’t for everyone, and that some fans have strong feelings about it, and we respect that,” Riot said. “However, the reality is that betting activity already exists around our sports and will continue whether we engage with it or not… We believe it’s better to engage in allowing betting sponsorships—thoughtfully, carefully, and with the right protections—than to sit on the sidelines while risks to fans and integrity go unchecked.”

Riot also said that a portion of the betting-related revenue will be invested into the tier-two ecosystem, including increased prize pools, new tournaments, expanded training, and more. This should be great news for those who have been worried about the state of tier-two esports, especially with the rumors of match-fixing swirling around the tier-two VALORANT scene.

Strict rules and guidelines

Additionally, Riot confirmed that all broadcasts and social media channels will remain free of any betting ads. Team jersey sponsorships featuring betting brands are not allowed, but teams will be able to promote their own partnerships on their individual social media accounts and various platforms.

“Riot is all in for the long term on our esports,” The company concluded. ‘That means stepping into arenas like sports betting with an objective to both guide and protect our brands from bad actors by establishing what good looks like, while also providing an avenue for teams to benefit financially.”

If you want to stay tuned to all VALORANT news, stay locked in with THESPIKE.GG.