No change in policy: Riot oppose gambling sponsors for Valorant organizations

The developers of the immensely popular esports title Valorant, Riot Games, continue to maintain a staunch opposition to betting sponsorships and refute the claims made by the Turkish news source Esporkolik.

The Turkish news outlet Esporkolik claimed that the partnered Valorant organizations would be permitted to take sponsorship deals from betting and gambling companies. In response, Riot Games denied the allegations made by the new advertising agency and clarified its stand regarding gambling sponsorships.

According to Max Katz’s report, Riot has not changed its approved team sponsor policy, meaning betting companies aren’t allowed to partner with organizations competing in Riot-sanctioned VALORANT tournaments.

In accordance with the VCT global competitive policy rulebook released in 2021, the promotion of fantasy esports operators, liquors, cryptocurrency platforms, and other unregulated financial instruments is strictly prohibited. Riot is nevertheless open to assessing any possibilities that will deliver secure, fulfilling, and safe experiences to the fans and promote the expansion of its esports ecosystem globally.

League of Legends, a well-known esports game from Riot Games, also has strict rules concerning betting sponsorships. After joining the EU LCS after purchasing Fnatic Academy, the well-known European esports team Ninjas in Pyjamas was compelled by Riot’s policies to end a sponsorship deal with Betway, one of the biggest betting sites.

The good and bad of betting sponsors in VCT?

The earnings from the potential increase in revenue that sponsors in the gambling industry can generate, could save the esports organization affiliated with Valorant from the “Esports Winter”. The Guard, FaZe Clan, and 100 Thieves have already fallen to the Esports Winter and made mass layoffs across their different divisions as the current economic crisis in the video game industry gradually escalates into a global recession. Several others are expected to follow suit if the scenario keeps getting worse.

While sponsorship agreements could seem like a wonderful way to prevent a financial crisis, their effects on fans and viewers might be controversial. A portion of the fans disagrees that this is the best method to achieve financial stability. The Valorant community responded to the allegations when they initially appeared online by strongly criticizing Riot Games. 

The past experiences that Riot Games has had with such instances further contradict the possibility of sponsorship deals. In August 2021, Riot and cryptocurrency exchange FTX entered a partnership. Nevertheless, Riot and FTX were forced to separate ways when the exchange failed in November of the previous year. It is unclear whether Riot will eventually change its regulations on gambling sponsorships, but it is certain that the safety and comfort of Valorant’s players and fans remain a primary priority for the studio.

Header: Riot Games