The Olympics, once considered a betting-free zone, are now grappling with the growing trend of sports gambling. While not as lucrative as major sporting events like the Super Bowl or World Cup, the Olympics offer a unique combination of global appeal and niche markets that make them an attractive bet for many sportsbooks.
However, this increased activity also raises concerns about illicit betting and the potential for scams. As the number of people who can place bets on events using just their mobile devices has skyrocketed in recent years, entities like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are taking extra precautions to prevent such issues from arising at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
To mitigate these risks, the IOC partners with international bodies like the International Betting Integrity Association and uses its own integrity monitoring unit to track betting patterns. These agencies use data-driven analysis to identify potential signs of misbehavior and send alerts to governing bodies, leagues, and casinos about suspicious activity.
While the IOC has implemented strict rules, such as prohibiting any accredited person from placing bets on Olympic events, there are still concerns that compromised judges or athletes could manipulate the system to guarantee illicit profits. Even in smaller markets, integrity monitoring is becoming increasingly common, with agencies like IC360 and Plannatech working together to identify anomalies and prevent betting scandals.
Bjorn, CEO of Plannatech, emphasizes that such agencies have made significant strides in recent years, using granular athlete data to assess performance over time and compare it to actual judging. This proactive approach has led to the detection of several high-profile scandals, including former NBA player Jontay Porter's involvement in a betting scandal.
While some might assume an increase in sports betting scandals is a sign of a world where such activity is more prevalent than ever, Bjorn celebrates these discoveries as evidence that integrity monitoring is working. "The Jontay Porter thing... means that the integrity monitoring is actually working," he says. "It's showing that some of these [scams] that existed for a very long time are actually getting found out now and caught."
Despite the IOC's best efforts, there is no guarantee that betting scandals won't arise at the Olympics. Thousands of athletes competing in hundreds of events over just a couple of weeks creates an environment ripe for exploitation, where even one incident can shatter the illusion of purity.
As the world of sports betting continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the IOC's efforts will be enough to prevent illicit activity and maintain the integrity of the Games.
However, this increased activity also raises concerns about illicit betting and the potential for scams. As the number of people who can place bets on events using just their mobile devices has skyrocketed in recent years, entities like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are taking extra precautions to prevent such issues from arising at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
To mitigate these risks, the IOC partners with international bodies like the International Betting Integrity Association and uses its own integrity monitoring unit to track betting patterns. These agencies use data-driven analysis to identify potential signs of misbehavior and send alerts to governing bodies, leagues, and casinos about suspicious activity.
While the IOC has implemented strict rules, such as prohibiting any accredited person from placing bets on Olympic events, there are still concerns that compromised judges or athletes could manipulate the system to guarantee illicit profits. Even in smaller markets, integrity monitoring is becoming increasingly common, with agencies like IC360 and Plannatech working together to identify anomalies and prevent betting scandals.
Bjorn, CEO of Plannatech, emphasizes that such agencies have made significant strides in recent years, using granular athlete data to assess performance over time and compare it to actual judging. This proactive approach has led to the detection of several high-profile scandals, including former NBA player Jontay Porter's involvement in a betting scandal.
While some might assume an increase in sports betting scandals is a sign of a world where such activity is more prevalent than ever, Bjorn celebrates these discoveries as evidence that integrity monitoring is working. "The Jontay Porter thing... means that the integrity monitoring is actually working," he says. "It's showing that some of these [scams] that existed for a very long time are actually getting found out now and caught."
Despite the IOC's best efforts, there is no guarantee that betting scandals won't arise at the Olympics. Thousands of athletes competing in hundreds of events over just a couple of weeks creates an environment ripe for exploitation, where even one incident can shatter the illusion of purity.
As the world of sports betting continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the IOC's efforts will be enough to prevent illicit activity and maintain the integrity of the Games.
. I mean, we all know how unpredictable human nature can be, right? But at the same time, allowing some level of betting in these events just makes sense. Like, people are already watching and following sports anyway - might as well let them participate and make some extra cash on the side 
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. That's why I love that they're partnering with agencies like Plannatech to monitor betting patterns and prevent scams. It's all about finding that balance between letting people have a little fun and keeping things fair 
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. Adding some legit sports betting to the mix could actually bring in even more viewers and excitement 
. Just gotta make sure we're not sacrificing the integrity of the games in the process 
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. But when you start adding all these new elements like betting, it's like throwing more fuel on the fire 
. I'm not saying it's all bad, but it does raise some red flags.
. But at the same time, it's also a bit concerning that even with all their efforts, there's still a chance for something to go wrong.
. I'm not sure what the solution is, but one thing's for sure - we need to keep having these conversations and make sure that our beloved Olympics remain the pinnacle of sportsmanship and fair play 
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but still gotta wonder if it's enough
And let's not forget about the smaller markets - it sounds like agencies are only just starting to get on top of this stuff. I guess we'll have to wait and see if their efforts pay off at the 2026 Winter Games 
But at the end of the day, it's not about me being old-fashioned... it's about making sure that these events stay pure and true to their spirit. 
I just hope they can figure out a way to keep everything fair and square without over-regulating or driving all the action underground. 
but at what cost tho? i mean we all know about fixed games in football and basketball but now its creeping into olympics too... what if some athlete gets caught up in a scam or their judges get bribed?? 
gotta keep an eye on these big agencies that are supposed to be watching for this stuff 
. I mean, sports betting is already happening and it's not going away anytime soon. But at the same time, I get why they want to protect their integrity - it's a big deal for athletes and the sport as a whole 
. It shows they're taking this seriously and willing to work together to prevent scams. But let's be real, there are still going to be some bad apples out there who try to exploit the system 
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It's not going away so might as well be done right, you know? 
. It's like, we can order food delivery from our beds, we can watch our favorite shows with just a click, so why not make bets on the Olympics too? 
... they're using data-driven analysis to track betting patterns and identify potential signs of misbehavior. It's like having your own personal superpower 
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. The Olympics are all about pushing boundaries and trying new things, so let's see where this takes us! 
. I remember when betting was like, super exclusive and only for high-rollers 
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But at the end of the day, you can't guarantee that all the cheating and scandals will be caught. And even if they do get caught, what happens to the people who got away with it? It's a bit of a catch-22, isn't it? 
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It seems kinda cool how they're using data to spot suspicious activity, but at the same time, it's weird to think about athletes being able to manipulate the system... I guess that's just part of the game now. 
. And honestly, how can we even trust the system when there are so many ways to manipulate it? 
... I mean, who wants their sports event tainted by cheating or scams? 
... but one thing's for sure: we need to keep pushing for fair play and transparency in sports betting