Riot Games announced its intention to permit sports betting sponsorships for top-tier League of Legends and Valorant esports teams in the US and EMEA. This decision follows demands from teams for new revenue streams. According to Riot’s president of publishing and esports, John Needham, this move aims to enhance the esports ecosystem sustainably.

“We know sports betting isn’t for everyone, and some fans have strong feelings about it, and we respect that,” Needham stated in a recent announcement.

Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns regarding the implications of this shift towards gambling, especially in terms of audience safety and societal impact. Needham emphasized the necessity for responsible engagement in the betting space, including vetting partners and maintaining betting-free broadcasts on Riot-owned platforms.