Riot Games to Permit Gambling & Betting Sponsors for LoL and VALORANT Esports Teams in 2025

In a groundbreaking shift for esports, Riot Games will allow League of Legends and VALORANT teams to partner with betting sponsors starting in 2025, according to prominent esports commentator MonteCristo. The news has sent ripples across the competitive gaming landscape, marking a significant policy change for one of the industry’s largest stakeholders.

This development follows a broader trend where betting sponsors have become integral to the financial ecosystem of traditional sports and esports alike. The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) scene, for example, has leaned heavily on such partnerships, making them a cornerstone of its sustainability. Riot’s decision signals a potential new revenue stream for its partnered teams, aligning League of Legends and VALORANT with industry norms.

Despite the policy shift, Riot appears cautious in its implementation. MonteCristo noted on social media that gambling companies seeking to sponsor teams will need Riot’s approval. Additionally, team jerseys will remain betting-logo-free, reflecting Riot’s intention to balance commercial opportunities with community concerns about gambling sponsorships.

This measured approach echoes Riot’s history of navigating controversial partnerships. The company initially resisted crypto sponsorships before eventually partnering with FTX—a collaboration that faced significant backlash after FTX’s collapse. The betting sponsorships policy, while a significant move, seems designed to avoid the pitfalls of unregulated growth.

The announcement has sparked lively debate among fans and industry stakeholders. Supporters argue that betting sponsorships are a logical step toward financial sustainability, particularly as teams face rising operational costs and declining viewership in some esports titles. Critics, however, warn of potential risks, including gambling’s impact on younger audiences and the potential for match-fixing scandals.

“Riot’s decision is pragmatic given the economic pressures on esports, but the restrictions on branding show they’re still wary of community backlash,” said an industry analyst.

This policy change could set a precedent for other publishers in the industry, potentially leading to a more unified approach to betting sponsorships across esports. It also raises questions about whether Riot itself might pursue broader partnerships with betting platforms, as it did with cryptocurrency sponsors in the past.

For now, Riot’s move to allow betting sponsors represents a cautious but potentially transformative moment for the future of esports funding. As 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Riot’s execution of this policy—and its impact on the competitive gaming ecosystem.