Summary
- Riot Games is including gambling operators among its available partners.
- The company is committed to leading and safeguarding its brands.
- Esports betting is an established ecosystem that still requires further guidance.
Riot Games has created some of the world's most influential games, including Valorant and League of Legends. Beyond being highly enjoyable, these games have evolved into true sports—or esports, as enthusiasts refer to them—demanding considerable skill, training, and talent to achieve success.
Tier 1 teams in LoL and Valorant may now partner with gambling operators
Riot Games has announced that teams participating in tier-one events for League of Legends and Valorant in the Americas and EMEA can now partner with gambling operators. However, they must implement safeguards to protect competitive integrity and the fan experience. This decision was not made lightly. In a blog post, Riot Games explained that the esports betting ecosystem already exists, with many people already placing wagers on esports. Over time, many teams have urged Riot Games to reconsider their stance and permit gambling partnerships, which is now happening. The company has spent the past few years carefully studying the potential impact on the ecosystem it aims to build. Riot Games cited data from Sportradar, a respected tech company in the betting industry, which shows that 70% of esports bets are placed on unlicensed websites. To address this, Riot Games wishes to ensure that bets are placed on reputable sites. Riot Games has two primary goals: to avoid overwhelming viewers with a flood of advertisements and to establish strict guidelines to protect consumers. It will be up to the partners to ensure they convey appropriate messages and adhere to responsible gambling practices, with Riot Games overseeing the regulation of gambling promotions.
The ultimate goal is to protect everyone involved and develop esports
John Needham, President of Publishing & Esports at Riot Games, stated that the company aims to proactively safeguard and manage its brands while preventing exploitation by unscrupulous parties in the untapped market. Additionally, Needham mentioned that teams stand to gain financially, enabling smaller teams to secure enough funding to compete more effectively and achieve better results. Ultimately, Riot Games is committed to ensuring a positive outcome for everyone involved—from the players and teams to the fans.
