Sportsbook.com Bettors Pick Spielberg Film

HOLLYWOOD – (PRESS RELEASE) -- In the 10 days since Sportsbook.com first offered odds on which film would win the 78th Oscar for Best Picture, it appears the bettors have made their choice with Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated film Munich the most bet on movie. Sportsbook.com was the first online sportsbook and casino to offer the Oscar Best Picture odds and as a result of early, intense betting, Munich has gone from a 12-1 bet to an overwhelming 5-2 favorite.

Almost 15 per cent of all money wagered at Sportsbook.com has been on Munich. Other films popular with bettors include Walk the Line 10.5 per cent, Cinderella Man 7.4 per cent, Brokeback Mountain 7.1 per cent and Memoirs of a Geisha 5 per cent. The films taking the worst lumps are A History of Violence and Good Night and Good Luck. Odds for these two films have dropped considerably based on betting interest. A History of Violence opened as one the favorites at 15-1 but now sits at 40-1, while Good Night and Good Luck went from 10-1 to 15-1. Walk the Line has seen its odds improve from 30-1 to 17-1 following strong reviews and the latest betting trends.

"Everybody loves to bet on the Oscars and the volume has been tremendous since we opened betting on Best Picture. Every year the Oscars are one of the most heavily bet on non-sports events in the world," said Peter Childs, Odds Maker, Sportsbook.com. "It's interesting to see so much action on some of the yet-to-be released films, including Munich. If you follow the industry buzz you can get in on the betting early and really benefit from the opening odds."

In fact, should Munich go on to win the award, a $100 wager placed on November 17th would yield a $1,200 return. That same bet today, with the adjusted odds, would yield a return of $250.

"It works both ways; some films may have lost momentum for now but could easily regain it as we get closer to the Awards. These odds will continue to change right up until the date the five nominees are announced," added Childs.

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