esports/Riot Games: betting partnerships authorised in the Americas & EMEA without visibility

Clubs participating in Riot Games' competitive circuits on the League of Legends (LoL Esports) and Valorant (VTC) games in the Americas and EMEA have been permitted to enter into sponsorship agreements with sports and esports betting operators from with the 2025 season, announced the US publisher on 16/12/2024.

"This is a new sponsorship category for our esports, and we'll approach it thoughtfully. We'll learn a lot along the way, and we'll make changes if at any point this compromises the integrity of the sport or impacts the high-quality experience our fans have today," said Whalen Rozelle, chief operating officer at Riot Games, on his X account.

The integration of betting operators into competitions such as the LEC is limited, however, as these brands will not be visible during live broadcasts. "No betting brands will appear on our broadcasts, socials, or jerseys," confirmed Whalen Rozelle.

"Riot will vet all potential betting partners to meet our standards for integrity, transparency, and fan engagement. All sports books partnering with teams will need to meet local regulatory…