Olympic Winter Games May Embrace Esports – What This Means for Bettors

!Kim Jae-yeol at Milan speaking about esports inclusion
ISU President Kim Jae-yeol advocates for esports integration (Credit: IOC)

International Skating Union (ISU) president Kim Jae-yeol, newly appointed to the IOC Executive Board, has reignited discussions about esports joining the Olympic Winter Games ecosystem. During Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games briefings, Kim emphasized the need to engage younger audiences, stating:

"If there is no enthusiasm from younger generations, there is no future. I will bring this idea up to the IOC at least once."

This potential paradigm shift could create unprecedented betting opportunities. Mainstream Olympic recognition would likely:

1. Boost legitimacy for esports betting markets
2. Introduce nation-vs-nation wagering formats
3. Create cross-sport parlay opportunities with traditional winter sports

The Olympic Esports Landscape

The IOC currently maintains a "Pause and Reflect" stance following failed Saudi Arabian partnerships, but South Korea is aggressively positioning itself as host for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games. KeSPA Secretary General Kim Cheol-hak argues:

"South Korea must host the first edition given our esports legacy."

For bettors, a Korean-hosted event could mean favorable odds for Asian teams in games like League of Legends and StarCraft. Track national team developments through our View Matches section.

Alternative Events Create Immediate Betting Windows

While Olympic integration remains uncertain, Saudi Arabia's Esports Nations Cup (November 2026) offers concrete betting targets:

• 16-game tournament featuring national teams
• Confirmed titles include EA FC 26 and Street Fighter 6
• Early odds likely at /aipredictions

Historical precedents like Intel's 2018 StarCraft 2 exhibition during PyeongChang Winter Games show such events can produce unexpected winners – Canadian player Scarlett's victory over Korean favorite Kim "sOs" Yoo Jin delivered massive underdog payouts.

Strategic Betting Considerations

1. Monitor South Korea's lobbying efforts – Host nation status would impact team odds
2. Watch for winter sports-themed esports (SSX reboot? Steep sequel?) for crossover betting
3. Track IOC's 2026 Q3 decision timeline – Major odds shifts expected post-announcement

While Olympic inclusion isn't guaranteed, Kim's advocacy suggests growing institutional support. Savvy bettors should follow our Prediction Leaderboard for early market insights as this story develops.