Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently announced a 12-year agreement for the Middle Eastern nation to host the Olympic eSports Games.
Sports and entertainment play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to wean the nation off its dependence on energy.
Saudi Arabia plans to diversify its economy and grow its global influence through sports, tourism, and technology. The Olympic eSports Games cuts across all these sectors.
The nation’s rulers have recognized the growing importance of eSports and plan to sit at the forefront of the rapidly developing sector to boost its sports and tourism industry.
Saudi Arabia will fund and host the event at Qiddiya, a 73,000-seater arena poised to become one of the world’s biggest sports and entertainment venues.
Beyond the immediate impact on the eSports industry, the Games have far-reaching implications for Saudi Arabia.
From boosting tourism and economic growth to addressing societal challenges, the event is an opportunity for the Kingdom to showcase its transformation and aspirations to the world.
The Impact on the Betting Industry
Combining eSports and the Olympic Games is guaranteed to attract plenty of interest from the global betting industry.
Betting on eSports has become incredibly popular worldwide, with millions of fans now placing wagers on their favorite teams and players.
The sportsbooks featured on the respected comparison platform www.arabswin.com will be inundated with bettors eager to wager on the Games.
This may trigger a rethink from the Saudi Arabian government, which is yet to establish a regulatory framework for gambling within its borders.
Their stance flies in the face of what is happening in the United Arab Emirates, where regulators recently approved the first license for a lottery and made its new gambling regulations public.
Saudi Arabia will be eager not to be left behind and it would be no surprise to see them create a licensing and regulatory infrastructure before the 2025 Games.
Advancing Gender Equality in Sports
One of the most exciting aspects of the upcoming Olympic eSports Games is the focus it places on advancing gender equality.
Saudi Arabia has come under fire over the years for its failures in such issues, with women’s participation in sports being limited.
However, the nation has made serious moves to promote women’s sports in recent times. The eSports Olympics is an opportunity for female athletes to prove their mettle.
Almost half of the country’s 23 million gamers are women, and this event is a chance for them to compete, shine, and put themselves on the map.
The esports Olympics will also inspire more women to pursue careers in gaming. There are a plethora of opportunities in this nascent sector that women can pursue.
Seeing female gamers on the global stage will help to defeat long-held stereotypes and encourage the Saudi state and the Gulf region to accept women in sports.
Boosting Tourism and Economic Development in Saudi Arabia
Boosting tourism and economic growth is the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s plans to host the Olympic eSports Games.
The event will attract thousands of visitors with disposable income from around the world, bringing an influx of revenue to the local economy.
Hotels, restaurants, retailers, and local stores will benefit from people flocking to Saudi Arabia. New venues and other infrastructure elements will be required which will create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Global broadcast coverage of the Games will also boost Saudi Arabia’s image as an exciting tourist destination. The country is keen to show the world it can host large-scale international events, and the success of the Games could lead to more opportunities for them to put on a show.
Saudi Arabia must capitalize on this event to promote its rich culture and tourist attractions, contributing to the long-term growth of the tourism sector.