Las Vegas Sun

February 12, 2012

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Oddsmaker: ‘Avatar’ the Best Picture favorite at Academy Awards

By Liz Benston

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 5:32 p.m.

The Las Vegas line on the Academy Awards – or, more specifically, that set by Wynn Las Vegas oddsmaker Johnny Avello – has the epic blockbuster "Avatar" a slight favorite to win Best Picture over the independent film "The Hurt Locker."

Betting non-sporting events such as the Oscars, reality shows and political contests is against the law in Nevada.

Yet casinos may set odds for entertainment purposes. For the past 16 years, Avello has set odds on the Academy Awards and other events such as the Grammy awards, "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars."

A theoretical bet on "Avatar" would double your money while "The Hurt Locker" is only a 7-to-5 favorite, Avello says.

This Sunday, Avello will host Wynn Las Vegas' first-ever Academy Awards viewing party. While the sports book broadcasts the Celtics and Nuggets games on smaller screens, the main event will involve a rare display of non-gambling activity including Oscar trivia, raffles and other contests that are free and open to the public.

As required by law, of course.

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