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. This news has made waves across the competitive gaming landscape, marking a major policy change for one of the industry’s largest stakeholders.

This development follows a broader trend in which betting sponsors have become an integral part of the financial system of traditional sports and esports alike. For example, the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) scene has relied heavily on such partnerships, making them a cornerstone of its sustainability. Riot’s decision signals a potential new revenue stream for partner teams, bringing League of Legends and VALORANT in line with industry standards.

Despite the shift in policy, Riot appears cautious in its implementation. Monte Cristo noted on social media that gambling companies seeking to sponsor teams would need approval from Riot. Additionally, team jerseys will remain devoid of betting logos, reflecting Riot’s intent to balance commercial opportunities with community concerns about gambling sponsorship.

This thoughtful approach reflects Riot’s history of dealing with controversial partnerships. The company initially resisted sponsorship of cryptocurrencies before eventually partnering with FTX, a collaboration that faced significant backlash after FTX’s collapse. The betting sponsorship policy, while an important step, appears designed to avoid the risks of unregulated growth.

The announcement sparked a lively debate among fans and industry stakeholders. Supporters argue that sponsoring betting is a logical step toward financial sustainability, especially as teams face rising operating costs and declining viewership at some esports titles. However, critics warn of potential risks, including the impact of gambling on younger audiences and the potential for match-fixing scandals.

“Riot’s decision is a pragmatic one given the economic pressures on esports, but the restrictions on brands show it remains wary of community backlash,” one industry analyst said.

This policy change could set a precedent for other publishers in the industry, potentially leading to a more standardized approach to sponsorship betting across esports. It also raises questions about whether Riot itself might seek broader partnerships with betting platforms, as it has done 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 financing. As 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Riot’s implementation of this policy, and its impact on the competitive gaming ecosystem.