Forget the Diabolical Ping Nerfs, the Next Thing Riot Is Reportedly Planning for Valorant Will Kill the $2.2 Billion Esports Industry

Dec 14, 2024, 7:59 PM

It has been revealed that Riot Games has decided to take a major step that could contribute to the demise of the $2.2 billion esports industry. Several media outlets have confirmed that they will allow various Valorant and League of Legends esports teams to have betting sponsors in 2025. To some, it may seem like just another sponsor, but many Valorant fans are not happy with this decision.

A still from Valorant — Riot Games will allow limited gambling companies to sponsor *Valorant* esports teams (Image via Riot Games)

Many popular companies running online casinos have already taken over other sports and now, it’s esports’ turn. Everyone has the free will to choose whether or not to gamble. However, it is unadvised to partake in betting as it can be addicting.

Riot Games will allow Valorant esports teams to have gambling sponsors

A viral post on X has claimed that Riot Games will be allowing esports teams to have betting sponsors in League of Legends and Valorant in 2025. Only a limited number of gambling companies will be able to sponsor esports teams and that too, only after it gets approved by Riot Games. The studio has firmly opposed this idea for a while now but it seems like it had to follow the industry trend.

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The leaker has added that gambling companies will not be allowed to place their logos on team uniforms but that does nothing because players will promote the companies on social media and streams. Many have opposed this decision as gambling has earned a bad reputation, mainly because some online casinos have been accused of using a rigged system to cheat the players.

How will this sponsorship benefit the teams?

Sage, Phoenix and Cypher from Valorant — This sponsorship could help many esports teams financially (Image via Riot Games)

The gambling company’s reputation doesn’t really matter as most esports teams are looking for funding. Even the leaker believes that this decision is good for stabilizing team economics. Many people all over the world support sports gambling but this industry, in particular, is different. The majority of the viewers are under the age of 18 with no constant income. Most people will agree that this decision will have a negative effect on the aforementioned audience as it will promote gambling.

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Riot Games will not allow these companies to put logos on team uniforms so it technically does not count as advertising. Let’s hope that there are only positive outcomes from this decision as teams will certainly get massive funding from gambling companies.

The teams will have to rely on these kinds of sponsors since viewers refuse to pay any money to watch or support esports. To summarise things, it is a necessary evil that the industry has to rely on in order to stay afloat, but some people don’t understand the long-term effects of this decision, as it could be one of the reasons behind the industry’s downfall in the future.

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