MONTREAL, Feb. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- BetUS.com is offering odds on Michael Jackson's trial. It seems that everyone has an opinion about the Jackson case, especially online bettors, as betting on entertainment heats up.
"The Jackson case has been shrouded in secrecy because of gag orders, sealed court documents and numerous legal filings. However, many are still eager to place bets on Jackson's fate," says Mike Foreman, spokesperson for BetUS.com. "We've already taken more than 200 wagers since posting the odds late yesterday afternoon -- most customers are in favor of M.J.'s innocence."
BetUS.com has posted odds on Jackson's guilt or innocence, the chance of a mistrial, the possibility of additional molestation charges from another accuser and whether the "King of Pop" will run from the law, which is very unlikely, according to the odds (16 to 1).
"With jury selection set to resume early next week, we expect wagers on the Jackson trial to increase ten-fold," says Foreman. "As evidence is presented and witnesses take the stand, we could easily see a shift in bettors' opinions about guilt or innocence. Right now, gamblers favor Jackson's innocence, but I believe opinions will change as the case proceeds."
Another high profile case making waves online is the Robert Blake murder trial. Foreman stated that, "with Monday's testimony from a key witness stating he was offered $10,000 dollars to kill Blake's wife, bets are being placed on the Blake trial ending with a guilty verdict."
Since offering entertainment bets to customers, BetUS.com has seen a growing trend in the diversity of online betting. It's no longer about just placing a wager on a favorite sports team, Foreman suggested. "It's also about entertainment. More and more customers are crossing over and placing bets on entertainment propositions," says Foreman. "It's a way for the general public to get involved in what's happening in the 'world of celebrity.' Our biggest attraction so far is celebrity court cases."
BetUS.com revealed that back in December over 800 bets were taken on the death penalty phase of the Scott Peterson trial within days of posting entertainment odds. Right before the verdict was read, the company had recorded over 1,200 bets.
Bets on various entertainment propositions are fast becoming a favorite among online gamblers, according to Foreman. In October of 2004, BetUS.com created a separate section on its Website to accommodate customer demand for entertainment bets and now offers wagers on almost everything including sports and political events to celebrity scandals and relationships.
BetUS.com (http://www.BetUS.com) is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting organizations in the world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized gaming jurisdictions -- Canada and Costa Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com provides a safe and secure place for sports wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite sports including: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been in operation for 11 years.