Will eSports Join the Olympics

Most fans of CS:GO, Dota 2, Valorant, LoL, and other eGames consider eSports a full-fledged sport without any doubt. Of course, in this case, the main argument is not physical fitness but competition and psychological factors. The IOC (the International Olympic Committee) has officially recognised eSports as a sporting phenomenon. Nevertheless, for many reasons, it is not included in the official Olympic programme. So, what’s the reason?

The main arguments in favour of integrating eSports are high audience engagement, industry development and the presence of a sporting element. However, there are also obstacles, including the lack of a unified regulatory body, differences in game genres and issues related to violence in some disciplines. In this article, we examine the arguments for and against including eSports in the Olympic Games programme. 

Betting on eSports as an Argument for the Olympics

The development of eSports is confirmed not only by the increase in the number of teams, tournaments and spectators. Popular gambling projects are paying increased attention to this sport. According to data from Skycrown Casino Aussies are increasingly betting on matches involving FlyQuest, Renegades and other local eSport teams. Major CS:GO, Dota 2 and Valorant tournaments are regularly featured on Sportsbook, and betting volumes on eSports events are growing yearly. The experts at Skycrown Casino Australia have highlighted the most tournaments among local punters:

  • The International (Dota 2). The largest tournament with a large prize pool (maximum $40 million in 2021).
  • CS:GO Majors. A series of annual tournaments is held in several stages, starting with regional tournaments and ending with the finals.
  • League of Legends World Championship. Large-scale events with a multi-million audience (in 2024 the tournament was held in three countries).
  • Valorant Champions Tour. A young tournament that quickly gained popularity, where in 2024 the winner received $1 million.

In Australia, betting on eSports has become particularly popular among young punters. According to analysts, more than 30 percent of all bets placed by users aged 18-25 under Skycrown Casino Login are on eSports. This demonstrates not only the industry’s commercial importance but also its potential value to the Olympic movement.

Pros and Cons of eSports Olympics

The question of integrating a new trend with the “classics” that came to us from ancient Greece, which is far away in terms of time, arose almost 10 years ago. While at that time there were not enough arguments in favour, today most experts agree on the advisability of including TOP eSports in the Olympic Games. Such real facts are cited as confirmation:

  • Global audience. In 2024, eSports attracted more than 550 million viewers worldwide, which is comparable to the popularity of traditional Olympic sports.
  • State-level recognition. In 2017, the IOC officially recognised eSports as a sport discipline, and in 2023, eSports was first introduced at the Asian Games.
  • Support from major brands. Intel, Red Bull, Mercedes-Benz and other well-known companies are actively investing in eSports, which indicates its high commercial attractiveness.
  • Prize funds. The previously mentioned $40 million in prize money at The International in 2021 exceeds the size of prize funds for many Olympic sports.
  • Technology advancements. Virtual reality and artificial intelligence allow for a fair and transparent judging system that is already used in other disciplines.

Despite the obvious advantages, the process of integrating eSports into the Olympic Games still faces some obstacles. The main difficulty is the lack of a single regulatory body that can oversee all cyber sports disciplines. Unlike traditional sports, eSports is dependent on game publishers, making standardisation difficult. In addition, there is scepticism in some countries about recognising video games as a full-fledged sport. Critics also point to ethical concerns (e.g., the presence of violent elements in popular disciplines) and the possible impact on players’ health.

Despite these barriers, the likelihood of eSports being included in the Olympics remains high. The IOC has already held test tournaments and eSports was represented at the Youth Olympic Games in 2018. Given the rapid growth in popularity, financial support, and technological advancements, eSports will still become an Olympic discipline in the coming years.