PinnacleSports.com Offers Odds on 'Dancing With the Stars'

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Although the season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" is still nearly a month away, ABC has already announced the celebrity contestants on the third season of the hit reality series. Participants in the new season include an NFL legend, a pair of former teen heartthrobs, a former politician turned talk-show host, a conservative political pundit and a country musician, among others. All of them will team up with professional dancing partners in a competition decided by viewer voting and the judges. Shortly after the show's famous participants were unveiled Monday, leading online sportsbook PinnacleSports.com opened wagering on which celebrity would dance their way to win the third edition of "Dancing With the Stars".

The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com is the source for betting odds on all things entertainment from hit reality series, movie openings and award shows. Currently, the oddsmakers list former teen heartthrob, Mario Lopez, best known for his role as A.C. Slater on "Saved by the Bell", as the favorite to take the dancing crown at 3/1 (i.e., win $3 for every $1 bet). Star of films such as Kill Bill and Independence Day, actress Vivica A. Fox has been installed with the second-best odds at 4/1, followed closely by Monique Coleman of High School Musical fame at 9/2. One of television's greatest teen idols and most recognizable kid stars, Joey Lawrence, stands at 6/1 to win ABC's celebrity dance-off.

Meanwhile former L.A. Law star Harry Hamlin (8/1) hopes to avenge his wife's (Lisa Rinna) fourth place finish on "Dancing With the Stars" last season.

"We've seen a huge surge in betting on reality shows like 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'American Idol' as more people put their money behind the contestants they're voting for," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "As past editions of the show have proved, 'Dancing With the Stars' is anyone's game, so it's very difficult to make any one celebrity a large favorite to win before they perform their first dance."

Self-proclaimed "bad girl of pop" Willa Ford and country award-winner Sara Evans have both been listed by PinnacleSports.com at 9/1 to win the reality show. Known for his quick feet on the gridiron, the NFL's all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith is a 14/1 underdog to add the "Dancing With the Stars" championship to his three Super Bowl titles. PinnacleSports.com lists former Miss USA, actress and "Meet The Barkers" star Shanna Moakler at 20/1 along with MSNBC's bow-tied conservative political pundit Tucker Carlson, while lowbrow talk show host Jerry Springer is a 49/1 long shot to win the celebrity dance contest.

PinnacleSports.com will offer wagering on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" throughout the entirety of the series.