G2 Esports and Winamax Strike Historic Deal for LEC and VCT EMEA

A New Era for Riot Games Sponsorships

In a landmark move for the European esports landscape, G2 Esports has officially announced a sponsorship deal with Winamax. While the partnership is primarily focused on the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the implications ripple across Riot Games' entire ecosystem, including VALORANT (VCT EMEA).

This deal marks a significant shift in Riot Games' policy. After years of strict regulations regarding gambling entities, Riot has opened the door for betting sponsors in Tier 1 competitions. Winamax is the first to step through that door in the EMEA region, following in the footsteps of 1xBet’s recent entry into the VCT Americas with MIBR.

Betting Integration: How It Works

For bettors and fans, it is important to note how this sponsorship will manifest. Unlike traditional sports where logos might be plastered across jerseys, Riot Games is maintaining a level of separation to protect the integrity of the official broadcast.

• Co-Streams: The Winamax branding will be featured heavily across G2’s official co-streamers, including fan favorites like Jankos and Trayton.
• Data Integrity: Per Riot’s requirements, Winamax must utilize GRID, Riot’s official data provider. This ensures that the odds provided are based on official, low-latency data, reducing the risk of discrepancies during live betting.
• No Jersey Presence: You won't see the Winamax logo on the official LEC or VCT stage broadcasts or team kits just yet.

Betting Angle: What This Means for G2 Fans

G2 Esports has always been a high-variance team, often carrying heavy favorite status in the LEC and VCT EMEA. The integration of a betting partner like Winamax suggests we will see more tailored content surrounding G2’s match odds and performance metrics.

With G2 being the first to market with this partnership, expect more localized promotions for EMEA fans. However, the deal is non-exclusive; Riot Games is reportedly in talks with other betting platforms, meaning we could soon see a more competitive market for team-specific odds and bonuses across the VCT and LEC rosters.

The Impact on VCT EMEA and VALORANT

While the headline focuses on the LEC, the framework established by Riot Games covers both LoL and VALORANT. As G2 continues to be a dominant force in the VCT EMEA circuit, the data partnership via GRID will be crucial for bettors looking for accurate live lines. The entry of professional betting sponsors into the ecosystem often leads to better liquidity and more diverse betting markets for Tier 1 VALORANT matches.

As always, we remind our readers that while betting adds excitement to the match, it should be done responsibly. Betting is restricted to those of legal age, and the risks of addiction should never be overlooked.