Riot Games has named Kick, the streaming platform backed by the founders of crypto casino Stake, as an official broadcaster for its esports programming. The move marks a notable reversal from Riot’s longstanding prohibition on gambling-linked partners and follows a phased loosening of its policies over the past year.
Official Broadcaster Designation
Under the new arrangement, Kick will carry official coverage of Riot Games’ esports content. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the designation elevates Kick from a third-party platform to an authorized outlet for Riot’s competitive broadcasts.
From Ban to Policy Shift
Riot Games historically barred gambling brands from its esports ecosystem. About a year ago, the company began unwinding that stance by permitting betting companies as team sponsors while keeping tighter controls over its own events and channels. Naming Kick as an official broadcaster completes a broader policy turn, aligning Riot’s distribution strategy with platforms tied to wagering businesses.
Crypto Link: Kick and Stake
Kick is closely associated with Stake, a prominent crypto-focused online casino known for enabling wagers via digital assets alongside traditional payment methods. The partnership underscores the growing convergence between esports media rights and crypto-native businesses seeking mainstream distribution and audience reach.
Implications for Esports and Crypto
The agreement signals increasing acceptance of gambling-affiliated and crypto-linked platforms within top-tier esports. It could broaden sponsorship opportunities and viewership channels, while also drawing continued regulatory and consumer protection scrutiny given the varying legal treatment of online betting and crypto gambling across jurisdictions.
- Parties: Riot Games and Kick
- Nature of deal: Kick named an official esports broadcaster
- Policy context: Reversal of Riot’s prior gambling-sponsor ban, eased in stages over the past year
- Crypto angle: Kick is backed by Stake’s founders, tying the broadcaster to a crypto casino brand