Brokeback Mountain Favored to Win Oscars

HOLLYWOOD – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The bettors have spoken, and a substantial majority still think that Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain will take home at least two major awards at this year's Oscars. The latest betting trends from Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, reveal that more than 53% of bettors are wagering on Brokeback Mountain to win Best Picture, while nearly 63% believe that Ang Lee will capture the Best Director award for his work on the cowboy film.

Leading the way in the Best Actor category is Capote star Philip Seymour Hoffman who more than 60% of bettors think will come up with the win. An astounding 71% of bettors are banking on Reese Witherspoon to win Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line.

"Everybody bets on the Oscars and Sportsbook.com has already received a record number of wagers for this year's event, the most wagered on non-sports event in the world," says Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "People seem to think that Brokeback will be the toast of the town on award night, but there are always surprises at the Oscars which is what makes it so much fun to watch."

The 78th Annual Academy Awards take place at 8:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 5, 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.