The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released it Academy Awards (Oscars) nominations for 2009 on Thursday, but it didn’t take Las Vegas and online sportsbooks long to install odds on a few of the major Oscar’s categories, best picture, best actor and best actress.
Online wagering giant Sportsbook.com has listed “Slumdog Millionaire” at -300 odds (moneyline format) as the favorite movie to win best picture when the Oscars are handed out on Sunday, Feb 22.
“Slumdog Millionaire” tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai, India who appears on a game show and exceeds people’s expectations, arousing the suspicions of the game show host and law enforcement officials. “Slumdog Millionaire” has already won several awards including the Golden Globe Award for best drama.
Actor Mickey Rourke, whom won the Golden Globe for best actor is also the favorite to pick up the Oscar in the same category according to Sportsbook.com. Rourke is installed at -150 odds to take home the award.
Rourke plays the lead in “The Wrestler” , a story about a washed-up professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson.
For Best Actress, Kate Winslet is a -125 odds favorite to win for her portrayal of Hanna Schmitz in “The Reader.
More betting odds are expected to be released shortly; especially on Best Director and supporting actor categories.
Complete list of betting odds provided by Sportsbook.com on the 2009 Academy Awards.
Best Picture
Frost/Nixon +1000
Milk +500
Slumdog Millionaire -300
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button +350
The Reader +1200
Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) +1000
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) +700
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) -150
Richard Jenkins (The Reader) +1200
Sean Penn (Milk) +140
Angelina Jolie (Changeling) +1000
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) +160
Kate Winslet (The Reader) -125
Melissa Leo (Frozen River) +1000
Meryl Streep (Doubt) +350
