Riot Games announced on June 26 that streaming platform Kick will become an official broadcaster of its League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics esports tournaments, beginning with the Mid-Season Invitational on June 28. The deal follows years of teams requesting Riot reconsider its betting sponsor restrictions, which the company reversed on June 26, 2025 for Tier 1 teams in Americas and EMEA regions. Kick is co-owned by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the founders of crypto casino Stake, presenting a contrast to Riot's stated commitment to keeping its own broadcasts "betting-free" — a policy that still prohibits betting logos from appearing on official livestreams.
Riot Names Kick Official Broadcaster for League of Legends and VALORANT Esports
Riot Games announced that Kick will broadcast League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics esports tournaments starting with the Mid-Season Invitational on June 28. The deal excludes China and Korea. Riot did not disclose financial terms or exclusivity arrangements. Kick is co-owned by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, who founded crypto casino Stake. In its announcement, Riot stated it would "apply the same moderation practices and standards creators on other platforms are held to, ensuring a safe and positive experience for all."
Riot Reversed Betting Sponsor Ban on June 26, 2025 After Team Requests
Riot President of Publishing and Esports John Needham reversed the company's betting sponsor ban on June 26, 2025 in an open letter. "Historically, this has been a restricted sponsorship category, and Riot has not engaged with betting companies," Needham wrote. He stated that "teams have asked us to reconsider our stance, and after years of analysis to ensure we got it right, we agreed it was time to open up this category." The policy change applied to Tier 1 League of Legends and VALORANT teams in the Americas and EMEA regions.
Needham cited Sportradar data showing $10.7 billion wagered on League of Legends and VALORANT in 2024, with approximately 70% occurring through unregulated books. According to data from Abios, League of Legends accounted for roughly 26% of global esports betting handle in 2024, trailing only Counter-Strike, while VALORANT represented another 5%. Needham wrote that "the reality is that betting activity already exists around our sports and will continue whether we engage with it or not." He framed the policy change as a protective measure: "We believe it's better to engage in allowing betting sponsorships -- thoughtfully, carefully, and with the right protections -- than to sit on the sidelines while risks to fans and integrity go unchecked."
Betting Logos Remain Barred from Riot Broadcasts Despite Kick Partnership
Riot maintains a restriction on betting logos appearing during official broadcasts. Needham stated in his June 26, 2025 letter that "Riot-owned broadcast and social channels will stay betting-free." This policy remains in effect: Stake-sponsored Team Vitality displays French retailer "E.Leclerc" on its League of Legends jerseys during official broadcasts because the Stake brand cannot appear on Riot's livestreams. The Kick partnership represents the first instance of Riot distributing its esports content through a platform owned by a crypto casino, despite the company's stated commitment to keeping its own channels free of betting branding.
FAQ
Why did Riot Games partner with Kick for esports broadcasting?
Riot Games announced Kick as an official broadcaster on June 26, starting with the Mid-Season Invitational on June 28. The partnership follows Riot's June 26, 2025 reversal of its betting sponsor ban after teams requested the policy change. Riot President John Needham stated that teams asked the company to reconsider its stance, and after years of analysis, Riot agreed to open the betting sponsorship category for Tier 1 teams in Americas and EMEA regions.
Does Riot allow betting logos on its official broadcasts?
No. Riot maintains a policy barring betting logos from appearing on its official broadcasts and social channels. John Needham stated in his June 26, 2025 letter that "Riot-owned broadcast and social channels will stay betting-free." As a result, Stake-sponsored Team Vitality displays "E.Leclerc" on its jerseys during Riot broadcasts instead of the Stake logo, because betting brands cannot appear on official livestreams.
How much betting activity occurs on Riot's esports titles?
According to Sportradar data cited by Riot President John Needham, $10.7 billion was wagered on League of Legends and VALORANT in 2024, with approximately 70% occurring through unregulated books. Data from Abios shows League of Legends accounted for roughly 26% of global esports betting handle in 2024, trailing only Counter-Strike, while VALORANT represented another 5% of the global esports betting market.
