At the end of 2024, Riot Games appeared to allow e -sports teams to have betting sponsors in League of Legends and Valorant by 2025. When the news was confirmed by Riot Games, many mixed opinions revolved around this decision. Most fans protested the decision and said that this would ruin eSports. Besides, there are also supporters of this decision when these sponsorship activities still have to be managed from Riot Games.
Recently, the President of Riot Games Production & Sports – John Needham shared about this issue. First, he revealed the reason for these sponsors to participate in eSports. One of the reasons is that the revenue of this funding is huge, only by 2024, it reached US $ 10.7 billion. In addition, the teams also repeatedly asked Riot Games to consider and open this sponsorship.
To be safe and transparent, Riot Games conducted censorship of all partners before allowing cooperation, ensuring transparent data. In addition, the publisher also requires teams to build players and fans. The amount from this funding is also used to invest in the second -class tournament system such as increasing bonuses, opening more tournaments, improving young players training as well as training.
Finally, the publisher confirmed that these changes would not affect the experience of viewers when there was no live wave ads, official social networking sites or shirts. Riot Games believes that it is better to actively lead the sports betting industry in Esports, which is better to protect players, teams and fans.
– Riot Games (@riotgames) June 26, 2025
John Needham ends the article: “For any change will have challenges and if we need to adjust, we will do. Please know that our general commitment is to do the right for our players, teams and fans as well as the world -class electronic sports experience that we have built and desires to develop for the years to come.
