Riot Games has named Kick, the streaming platform owned by the founders of crypto casino Stake, as an official broadcaster of its esports product. This is a full turnaround from its longstanding ban, which took place in multiple steps: about a year ago, it first allowed betting companies as team sponsors while insisting its own channels would remain “betting-free.”
Key Takeaways:
Riot named Stake-owned Kick an official esports broadcaster on June 26, starting with MSI on June 28.The deal lands about a year after Riot reversed its long-standing ban on betting sponsors.Riot still bars betting logos from broadcasts; Stake-sponsored Team Vitality masks its deal as “E.Leclerc.”For years, Riot barred betting brands from its leagues outright. President of Publishing and Esports John Needham acknowledged as much when the policy finally changed: “Historically, this has been a restricted sponsorship category, and Riot has not engaged with betting companies.”
Riot addressed the platform’s reputation only obliquely. In its announcement, the company said it would “apply the same moderation practices and standards creators on other platforms are held to, ensuring a safe and positive experience for all.” The deal excludes China and Korea, and no financial terms or exclusivity were disclosed.
