Riot Games Makes Stake-Owned Kick an Official Esports Broadcaster, Just a Year After Rescinding Sponsor Ban
Riot Games announced on June 26 that Kick, the streaming platform co-founded by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani—who also founded crypto casino Stake—will become an official broadcaster for its esports tournaments, including League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics. The deal takes effect with the Mid-Season Invitational on June 28.
The move comes roughly a year after Riot reversed its long-standing ban on betting sponsorships. In an open letter, President of Publishing and Esports John Needham acknowledged the policy shift, stating that the company had historically restricted betting sponsorships but decided to open the category after teams requested a reconsideration. He cited the reality that betting activity already exists around its sports and that engaging “thoughtfully, carefully, and with the right protections” is safer than ignoring risks.
Despite the reversal, Riot had insisted that its own broadcast and social channels would remain “betting-free” and that betting logos would be banned from team jerseys during official broadcasts. However, the decision to partner with Kick—a platform deeply linked to Stake’s gambling culture—blurs that line. Kick’s reputation has been inseparable from Stake since its launch, and rival crypto casinos have purchased official placements on it.
Riot addressed the platform’s culture only indirectly, stating it would apply the same moderation practices as on other platforms to ensure a “safe and positive experience.” The deal excludes China and Korea; financial terms and exclusivity were not disclosed.
Under the current rules, Stake-sponsored Team Vitality displays the French retailer “E.Leclerc” on its League jerseys because the Stake brand cannot appear on official livestreams. The pairing of a “betting-free” broadcast with a platform owned by a crypto casino highlights the tension in Riot’s evolving stance on gambling.