by Riot Games plans (according to unofficial rumours) to allow bookmaker sponsorships for League of Legends and VALORANT teams from this year (2025), a major reversal from the previous strict ban on such partnerships. However, live broadcasts and official events will remain "betting-free", i.e. without any display of betting brands on jerseys and social networks controlled by Riot. The main reason for this change is the financial gain for the teams, since betting sponsors are already proven to be profitable in CS2 and other esports titles, so organizations in LoL and VALORANT started looking for new sources of funds.
On the other hand, part of the community is concerned about the influence on minors and possible manipulation of matches, so Riot announces strict integrity rules to prevent potential match-fixing. This primarily refers to scandals like the one from 2014 with the iBuypower team, when players profited from a deliberate defeat, and other popular titles in which the betting system has been accepted for a long time were not immune to match-fixing. Despite this risk, it is expected that such a move could bring a positive financial impulse, as the teams will have more funds to strengthen the playing lineups and the continuous development of the scene. However, this raises the issue of regulatory challenges, considering that clear supervision of sponsorships and protection of the younger audience and the competitors themselves who are under 18 years old is necessary.
This potential change could completely shape a new era in esports, providing teams with significant opportunities for additional income, but there is certainly an obligation to preserve the integrity of the competition itself. How these rules will be specifically implemented and what all the details of cooperation with bookmakers will be, remains to be seen during 2025.
