Riot Games draws criticism for esports betting sponsorships on Valorant and League of Legends
US-based video game developer Riot Games has sparked controversy from fans for enabling esports betting sponsorships on Tier 1 League of Legends and Valorant teams.
Riot Games’ president of publishing and esports, John Needham, argued that the change was to protect fans from the harms of unregulated gambling while also promising that ‘guardrails’ would be put in place to restrict gambling ads from appearing in streams and not allow gambling logos to appear on team jerseys.
In a post on Riot’s LinkedIn page, Needham said, “70% of bets across all sports are placed in unregulated markets with bookmakers who aren’t licensed. 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.”
Teams will also be required to create their own internal integrity programs to promote responsible betting, prevent underage gambling, and protect competitive integrity.
Yet, fans have expressed concern about match-fixing, gambling addiction, and the impact on younger audiences. Many within the community view it as a risky choice that could threaten the integrity of the esports landscape.
However, Riot asserts that this change will enable teams to increase revenue and tackle unregulated markets with protective measures.
Reactions on community-based forums have been largely negative, with fans worried about increased toxicity and gambling risks among younger viewers.
One fan wrote on the online forum platform, Reddit, “I hate gambling and how pervasive it is.” At the same time, another argued that the move was unavoidable, saying, “It was inevitable at this point as the ecosystem really needs increased revenue and barring a direct buy-in price for viewership, this is probably the most lucrative way to do so.”
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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