Riot Games opens door to betting sponsorships in LoL and VALORANT esports

The move is part of Riot's broader commitment to building a more sustainable esports ecosystem. The company emphasized that all prospective betting partners will be subject to a strict vetting process to ensure alignment with its standards and values.

Data from sports tech firm Sportradar reveals that global betting turnover for League of Legends and VALORANT esports reached a staggering $10.7 billion in 2024. However, Riot also highlighted a pressing concern: 70% of all sports bets are currently placed through unregulated, unlicensed operators.

"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," said John Needham, President of Publishing and Esports at Riot Games.

"We've said before that Riot is all in for the long term on our esports, and 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."

While the decision was first shared with League of Legends and VCT teams in December 2024, this formal announcement marks the beginning of a new era for sponsorship opportunities in Riot's premier esports titles.