That ABC-TV show with famous people tangoing with professionals might soon have to be called “Dancing With the Spread.”
The age of betting on TV competitions might soon be upon us.
Just imagine people wagering a C-note on who’ll hit the right notes and win “American Idol.” Or betting next week’s paycheck on whether Kryssie Ridolfi will be evicted from the “Big Brother” house before Danielle Lickey.
Last year, people in New Jersey were allowed to start placing bets on sporting events, thanks to a favorable ruling by the Supreme Court. And that privilege was extended to betting on the Oscars that will be given out Sunday at the Academy Awards ceremony.
The other day, I spoke by phone with Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations for DraftKings, which is the biggest legal betting operation in Jersey.
And Avello had some stunning predictions about the future of gambling, including the possibility that I just mentioned — betting on TV contests before the outcome is decided and known. (Sorry, “The Bachelor” fans, that show is taped — so no dice.)
“We are just getting started. As long as [something] can be fun and nobody knows the outcome,” betting can take place, according to Avello.
Of course, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement would have to give its approval for any of this. But the state seems revenue-hungry. So right now, the best bet (sticking with the theme in this column) is that anything goes, maybe even wagering on the next presidential election.
You might even be betting on who’ll be the next chairman of your town school board. Hell, let’s bet on everything!
Right now, Avello (and everyone else in Jersey and Vegas, where Avello is headquartered) is paying attention to the Oscar betting.
Avello makes the odds for DraftKings — and he’s got “Roma,” just like everyone else, as a one-to-three favorite. That means if you bet $3 on “Roma” to win Best Picture, you get $4 back — a $1 profit.
He says he’s got “Roma” on top because everyone is calling it a masterpiece. But deep down Avello thinks there could be an upset here.
Although nobody has been able to legally bet on the Oscars until now, Avello says he’s been publicizing his choices in all categories just for the fun of it. And Avello says he’s right 78 percent of the time.
Are people excited about Oscar betting? “It’s been slow. But things like this are always slow leading up to the event,” says Avello. “It will be busy Saturday and Sunday.”
Avello says people just don’t like to tie up their money. Not me, I put $5 on “Bohemian Rhapsody” to win Best Picture more than a week ago and haven’t regretted it.
