Jan. 23 2009
When it comes to the Oscars, all bets are off… or are they? While Las Vegas doesn’t entertain betting on the Oscars, it’s a big business in England.
British oddsmakers have installed Slumdog Millionaire (Best Picture), Mickey Rourke (Best Actor), Kate Winslet (Best Actress) and director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) as solid favorites to take the four top awards at this year’s Academy Awards. The biggest favorite of all, though, is for Heath Ledger to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Though Las Vegas casinos are not allowed to take any Oscar bets, the oddsmakers at the Wynne casino have also installed Slumdog Millionaire, Mickey Rourke, Kate Winslet and director Danny Boyle as heavy favorites.

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight
THE ODDSMAKERS' FAVORITE FOR BEST PICTURE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Here’s the betting line at England’s OLGB Sports:
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle- Slumdog Millionaire 1.28/1
David Fincher- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 6/1
Gus Van Sant 13/1
Ron Howard- Frost/Nixon 13/1
Stephen Daldry- The Reader 13/1
BEST ACTRESS
Kate Winslet- The Reader Even Money
Anne Hathaway- Rachel Getting Married 9/4
Meryl Streep- Doubt 5-1
Angelina Jolie- The Changling 16/1
Melissa Leo- Frozen River 20/1
BEST ACTOR
Mickey Rourke- The Wrestler 2/1
Sean Penn- Milk 2.75/1
Frank Langella- Frost/Nixon 6.5/1
Brad Pitt- Curious Case of Benjamin Button 17/1
Richard Jenkins- The Visitor 26/1
BEST PICTURE
Slumdog Millionaire 1.4/1
Curious Case of Benjamin Button 5/1
Milk 8/1
Frost/Nixon 17/1
The Reader 23/1
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz- Vicky Cristina Barcelona 2/1
Viola Davis- Doubt 3.75/1
Marissa Tomei- The Wrestler 6/1
Taraji P Henson- …Benjamin Button 11/1
Amy Adams- Doubt 13/1
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger- The Dark Knight 1.04/1
James Brolin- Milk 17/1
Philip Seymour Hoffman- Doubt 17/1
Michael Shannon- Revolutionary Road 19/1
Robert Downey Jr.- Tropic Thunder 36/1


