What changed in 2025 for esports, crypto, and betting partners
Riot now permits Tier-1 League of Legends and VALORANT teams in the Americas and EMEA to sign betting sponsors under integrity safeguards. This doesn’t legalize wagering everywhere, but it signals a more open, regulated approach around top-tier broadcasts and teams.
Separately, Riot named Coinbase the official cryptocurrency exchange partner for global LoL and VALORANT events, reinforcing crypto’s presence across tentpole tournaments. This is sponsorship context, not a sportsbook endorsement or a guarantee that your operator accepts crypto deposits.
On the League of Legends side, 2025 introduced new branding and schedules across regions, including the Americas competition under the LTA banner on LoLEsports. If you handicap Cloud9 in LoL, use LTA schedules and team pages for accurate fixtures.
Snapshot: TSM, G2, and Cloud9 in 2025
TSM exited the LCS in 2023 and sold its slot to Shopify Rebellion; Shopify joined the league for the 2024 season. If you’re pricing TSM, verify which titles and rosters they actively field this season; do not assume they’re in NA LoL.
In Counter-Strike, TSM re-entered in 2023 but disbanded its CS2 roster in December 2024; any 2025 CS2 markets listing “TSM” warrant extra validation for current roster status.
G2 maintains flagship rosters and publishes current squads on its official site, including LoL, CS2, and VALORANT. Check the org page before you bet a name brand on historical reputation alone.
Cloud9 competes in LoL and VALORANT, with the latter confirmed as a VCT Americas partner team since the international leagues launched; validate current rosters and fixtures on Liquipedia and official team pages.
Where to wager: a compliance-first checklist for crypto users
- Verify the licence where you live
Use a regulator’s public register. In Great Britain, search the Gambling Commission business register; in many international markets, the Malta Gaming Authority publishes a searchable licensee register. Choose operators that appear in an official register. - Confirm esports coverage and markets
Before funding, check that the book prices the titles you follow (e.g., LTA LoL, VCT Americas/EMEA, CS2 tiers). Official league news hubs and event pages are the source of truth for schedules. - Check crypto deposit support and settlement rules
Regulated operators differ on crypto support. Read payment policies and promo eligibility: some bonuses exclude certain methods. Availability is jurisdiction-specific and must be disclosed in significant terms. - Plan funding with realistic timing
Bitcoin targets roughly 10-minute block intervals and many books wait for one or more confirmations. Ethereum runs in ~12-second slots and some operators support L2s, but crediting still follows house policy—fund before line moves or map starts. - Avoid unlicensed or “no-KYC/VPN-OK” sites
If a site can’t be found in a reputable register and encourages VPN use to bypass local law, treat that as a red flag. Always wager where the operator is authorized to serve you.
Team-by-team betting pointers
TSM
Double-check the title and league. After selling its LCS slot, TSM has focused on other games; for CS2 specifically the roster disbanded in late 2024, so any 2025 TSM CS2 price requires confirmation of an active lineup before you stake.
G2 Esports
Use the org’s squad pages for up-to-date rosters across LoL, CS2, and VALORANT before you evaluate form. Brand equity attracts handle, but pricing should follow current players, map pools, and patches.
Cloud9
Track LoL fixtures on LoLEsports’ LTA listings and validate the VALORANT roster and match days via official and Liquipedia pages. Partner-team status in VCT Americas implies a predictable schedule and high opponent quality.
Market mechanics that move prices on these orgs
League of Legends
Regional format and patch cadence influence totals and objective props. Use LoLEsports announcements and patch-driven previews when handicapping Baron/Dragon tempo.
VALORANT
International partner leagues mean deeper opponent pools and LAN stages. Partner lists and official VCT news help you anticipate schedule intensity and qualification stakes.
Counter-Strike 2
Rosters for top orgs can change after breaks and before Majors. Use authoritative pages and recent match logs before assuming a legacy edge carries forward.
Crypto context you should actually care about
Team sponsorship policies
Riot now allows betting sponsorships for Tier-1 teams in specified regions with safeguards; you may see betting brands on jerseys or content. This affects visibility, not the legality of placing a bet where you live.
Crypto at events
Riot’s Coinbase partnership adds crypto awareness across global events, but it doesn’t guarantee sportsbooks will accept your coin or network. Always read the cashier page and payment T&Cs first.
Quick “before you bet” workflow
Identify the match on an official schedule page, then confirm the team’s current roster on the org site or Liquipedia. Choose a licensed operator listed in your regulator’s register, check whether your preferred crypto rail is supported, and fund early enough to clear confirmations. Finally, read the promotion’s significant terms if you’re using a bonus.
FAQs
How do I confirm that Shopify Rebellion replaced TSM in the LCS?
Riot’s LoLEsports announcement confirms Shopify Rebellion joined for 2024 after acquiring TSM’s slot.
Is Cloud9 a VCT partner in VALORANT?
Yes. Cloud9 was announced as a VCT Americas partner when the international leagues launched; use team pages and Liquipedia for current rosters.
Where do I check if a sportsbook is licensed?
Use the UK Gambling Commission public register for Great Britain or the Malta Gaming Authority licensee register for many international operators.
Does Riot allowing betting sponsors mean crypto betting is legal for me?
No. Sponsorship policy is separate from local gambling law. Only wager with operators licensed to serve your location.
How early should I fund crypto deposits?
Plan for confirmation times: Bitcoin averages ~10 minutes per block, while Ethereum uses ~12-second slots. Your book may require additional confirmations before crediting.
