Scorcese Favored to Win Oscar

LOS ANGELES, California – (PRESS RELEASE) -- With the critical raves and the box office draw of Martin Scorcese's "The Aviator," many of his fans are crossing their fingers that he'll bring home the award for Best Director at this year's Oscars. Patrons of Sports Interaction, an online gaming site, predict that it will actually happen this year.

Sports Interaction currently offers several wagers on who will win at this year's Academy Award ceremonies, and the majority of patrons seem the most interested in the Best Director category. By tracking how their patrons have placed their bets, Sports Interaction has determined whom the public predicts to win on February 27.

The big debate this year is over what awards Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorcese will take home. So, far it's been a tight race between the two in the battle over Best Director. With the bets tabulated, Sports Interaction has found that Eastwood is backed by 45 percent of bettors for the Best Director category, but Martin Scorcese is favored with 52% of the bets. In addition, 50% of bettors predict that Scorcese will pick up Best Picture as well.

"Martin Scorcese has become the Susan Lucci of the Academy Awards," comments Ruth Purcell of Sports Interaction. "He's one of the country's foremost directors, and I for one would love to see him finally recognized."

In other categories, Jamie Foxx is favored to win Best Actor with 58% of the bets, and Hillary Swank is the overwhelming favorite for Best Actress, with 94%.