Riot Games COO suspended for workplace harassment
Riot Games COO Scott Gelb has received a two-month unpaid suspension following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.
Gelb has become a controversial figure at Riot Games over the past few months. Several former and current Riot employees have recently alleged that Gelb has repeatedly farted on, humped, and and appropriately touched fellow employees for comedic effect.
An investigation by a third-party law firm began earlier this year to examine these and other accusations of misconduct. After receiving the results of the investigation, Riot Games has decided to suspend the company’s COO for two months without pay and is requiring him to undergo additional training before returning.
The investigation began following the publication of a detailed investigative report by Kotaku that covered the alleged culture of sexism and gender discrimination at Riot Games. Since that report, multiple women who work or have previously worked at Riot Games have come forward with their own experiences of inequity and harassment in the workplace.
Riot eventually responded with an official statement in which the company issued an apology and promised to take action against liable individuals.
“No one and nothing is sacred. We are prepared to make big changes and have begun taking action against specific cases, including removal of Rioters,” Riot Games said.
CEO Nicolo Laurent sent out an email to Riot employees following Gelb’s suspension. Laurent stated that this sort of behavior was unacceptable, but also went on to express that many of the allegations against the COO were false. Laurent ended the email with a statement supporting Gelb during this two-month period and encouraging other Rioters to do the same.
“I will root for him, will support him through this journey, and will leverage him as a great leader when he returns next year. I hope you will join me,” Laurent said.
Reaction to the announcement, particularly given Laurent’s emphasis on supporting Gelb in spite of the accusations and their apparent veracity, has been mixed at best.
Riot Games is currently facing a lawsuit filed by one current and one former employee. The plaintiffs are suing on grounds of discrimination, harassment, and violation of the California Equal Pay Act.
Read Also
Esports Betting
Gen.G vs HLE: Best betting odds and picks for LCK 2026 grand final
Hannan Mundia
The 2026 LCK grand final will see HLE challenge Gen.G to determine which team walks away with the first-place prize, giving the winning team a much-needed confidence boost before the World Championship. After every top professional Korean League of Legends team has poured sweat and time, this year’s LCK split is finally about to conclude. The grand final match will be between the powerhouse team Gen.G and the challenging Hanwha ...
Esports Betting
Here Are My Predictions For The Hanwha Life Esports vs T1 LCK Lower Final
Ben Boland
LCK fans are in for a treat as Hanwha Life Esports and T1 both battle for a ticket to the grand final, where Gen.G awaits. The last time these two met, they tore the house down. I expect more of the same this time in the lower final. Here are the best bets to make on HLE vs T1 in the LCK 2026 Summer Playoffs Lower Final at GG.BET, one ...
League of Legends
Riot Games eyes Polymarket and Kalshi for esports sponsorships
Michael Hassall
Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends and VALORANT is reportedly exploring the protentional of sponsorship deals with prediction market operators including Polymarket and Kalshi, as per reports emerging late last night (Sep. 10). First reported by Cecilia D’Anastasio of Bloomberg, Riot has started conversations with the two top prediction market operators, Kalshi and Polymarket, with a view to one or both of them becoming sponsors within Riot Games’ ...
Esports Betting
HLE vs T1: Best Betting Odds and Picks for LCK 2026 Playoffs
Hannan Mundia
HLE and T1 will duke it out in the 2026 LCK Playoffs lower bracket final, but which team has a better chance of facing Gen.G in the grand final? This year’s LCK season has been filled with ups and downs. In particular, the top three teams have constantly struggled against each other, but Gen.G managed to get ahead of the fray in the end. Now, HLE and T1 will face ...
Esports Betting
Bet Tips and Predictions For Team Vitality vs MKOI LEC Summer Playoffs
Ben Boland
The LEC playoffs are well underway, and we have Team Vitality taking on MKOI in a do-or-die series. Lose here, and your chances of qualifying for Worlds 2026 go up in smoke. With Vitality getting dismantled by G2 Esports in their opening series, it begs the question whether it was just the G2 playoffs magic, or Vitality are not the team we thought they were. Let’s take a look at ...
Esports Betting
LCS Playoffs Round 1 Best Bets: Will C9 Falter?
Ben Boland
The LCS Summer regular season has finally come to a close and six teams will now do battle over the next few weeks with the hope of representing their region at the 2026 League of Legends World Championship. The first round of playoffs is expected to set the tone for what is to be an exciting conclusion to the return of the LCS. Cloud9 and Shopify do battle once again, ...
Esports Betting
The Best LCS Summer Split Week 7 Odds: Upsets On The Horizon?
Ben Boland
The LoL betting world is in for a treat this weekend as the LCS Summer Split regular season enters its final week. Everything is to play for, from the battle for first place to who starts life in the upper bracket. Esports betting sites are unsurprisingly covering the games extensively, and here my tips to bet on for each LCS match this weekend. This is a series that could go ...
