OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Yeah again - there can be a discussion over whether poker is a sport or not. I think the consensus is that it definitely isn't, but if you want to argue the alternative that's a thing you could do.
But an Olympic sport? That one's open and shut: it's not, and it never will be.
Seriously, Olympic broadcasters aren't even allowed to run ads for gambling during the commercial breaks of the Olympics. They don't allow gambling sponsorships. The Olympics basically doesn't want to be seen within a million light years of anything even remotely connected to gambling.
As long as that's the case, there's absolutely zero chance you'll ever see poker in the Olympics.
GRANDPAPA929
Legend
Silver Level
It is a pity that in Ancient Greece, when the opening of the Olympic Games are not played poker.
Pauliefromgoodfellas
Rock Star
Silver Level
Have you heard that International Federation Of Poker failed in an attempt to become a member of SportAccord, an organization which is the chief curator of the Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
A chance to give poker the status of a sports game is greatly reduced.
Now what do you say?
Yeah I'm not sure who has been campaigning to get poker officially accepted as a sport but they should probably do something else with their time. Poker has made some big progress in the public eye--many people will now tell you that there is a lot of skill involved with playing winning/profitable poker. Before rounders came out this would never happen.
So...I'm not really sad but I am hopeful that online poker will get a better (less juivinille) image in the future.